Changing your name after divorce in Minnesota
16 Steps To Follow When Changing a Name Following a Divorce:
- Get a new driver’s license or state identification card
Changing your driver’s license is as simple as going to the DMV with your Minnesota certificate of divorce/name change and filling out the form for a new driver’s license.
- Change your name on all financial institution accounts and safe deposit boxes.
Contact each financial institution and ask about their requirements for changing your name. They may only require a name change form and a copy of your divorce decree.
- Change your name on any and all credit cards and store charge cards.
Send required paperwork to credit card and store charge card accounts notifying, them of your name change. You can find what they require by logging onto their website or calling the phone number on the back of your card.
- Complete the application to change your name on Social Security documents.
Contact the Social Security Administration on their website or by telephone and complete the required paperwork for name change documentation.
- Change your name on all creditor accounts.
Find out from your car loan, student loan, or private loan servicing agency what they require to complete a name change request. Ensure that all creditor accounts in your name are also changed.
- Notify telephone company, cable company, and all other associated utilities.
Contact utility companies by phone or internet and complete each process for completing name changes.
- Complete passport paperwork.
Mail in your current passport, required paperwork, divorce decree, and passport photo. This process can take some time, so be sure to do it immediately if you plan to travel out of the country.
- Complete name change paperwork at the local post office.
Contact your local post office by website or in person. Complete required documentation.
- Change your name on car titles and vehicle registration.
Contact your local DMV office in person or by logging onto their website and completing the requirements.
- Alert health insurance and vehicle insurance companies.
Call the telephone number or log onto the website located on the back of your card and follow the name change instructions.
- Email or mail friends and relatives notifying them of the change
Send an email or handwritten letter to everyone in your inbox and notify them of the change, including the reason why is not necessary unless you feel the need to.
- Notify your employer and any related retirement and/or pension accounts.
Contact your company’s Human Resource department and fill out name change paperwork. They will most likely be able to make all necessary name changes for each entity for you.
- Inform your co-workers and any business associates.
Think about the connections you have with co-workers and business associates. If some are likely unaware of your name change, send them an email or handwritten note.
- Change email addresses and any related social media accounts and passwords.
If you have joint email accounts with your ex or social media accounts, inactivate them and create new ones. Don’t forget to let those who use the accounts know of the changes.
- Alert any place that you have a membership, such as a library or gym.
Contact your local library by stopping in person or pulling up the website and making the change. When you check in at the gym, let the front desk staff know you have a name change to report.
- Change voter registration information.
Contact your local voter registration website and follow the procedure for completing a name change.
Steps to a Name Change After Divorce and How To Make It Easier
There are a lot of steps involved in changing your name following a divorce, and each one is as important as the next. Name changes can affect you in the future if not done correctly and completely. Imagine planning a trip out of the country only to find out your name change was not done completely and your passport will not be accepted. Or imagine missing out on important mail because you forgot to complete the name change paperwork at your local post office. Our experienced divorce attorney can help guide you through every step of your divorce, including your name change.
Each situation has unique circumstances and may require different steps. This is not an exhaustive list, nor is it legal advice. This information is merely a guide to show that many steps are involved in a legal name change after a divorce. You should contact a licensed attorney before beginning any name change steps.
Name change after a divorce
There are many steps involved in completing a successful and thorough name change following a divorce. The process is simple and can be done without much struggle.