How to Change Your Name After Marriage in Rhode Island

Changing My Name After Marriage in Rhode Island

For various reasons, some people choose to take or add on a partner’s name after marriage. Like most other states, Rhode Island has processes that guide name change in the state. These processes ensure that persons who change names after marriage update relevant government databases with the new information.

The primary requirement for a change of name after marriage in Rhode Island is the marriage certificate. The marriage certificate provides a legal reason for and is proof of a name change. The Center for Vital Records Division of the Rhode Island Department of Health maintains marriage records in the state and makes certified copies available to authorized persons on request. Additionally, Rhode Island marriage records are maintained and disseminated by local courthouses which are also tasked with generating marriage licenses. Interested and eligible persons may query these courts for copies of their records before beginning the name change process.

How to Change Your Name After Marriage in Rhode Island

The process for changing a name after marriage in Rhode Island includes the following steps:

Obtaining a marriage certificate or court order
Updating social security information with the Social Security Administration
Getting an updated driver’s license at the Division of Motor Vehicles
Updating one’s passport and other state-issued identification
Notifying banks, mortgagees, employers, and others

The name change process can be costly and time-consuming as some agencies or organizations may charge filing fees or other fees for updating records or re-issuing identification. Additionally, the name change process involves much paperwork, which can quickly turn overwhelming. It may therefore be in a requesting party’s best interest to employ an attorney. The attorney can file the required paperwork on the requesting party’s behalf.

Requesting parties must keep in mind that hiring an attorney comes with additional fees. Parties who cannot afford attorneys may complete the process without a lawyer’s assistance. However, such parties must be careful to follow all necessary processes using available guidelines.

How to Update Your Social Security Card in Rhode Island?

If a person changes his or her name after marriage, the person must notify the Social Security Administration (SSA) in order to get an updated social security card. Updating one’s social security information reduces the chances of delays when filing taxes and reduces social security benefits. A social security update in Rhode Island requires the requesting party to mail a completed application form to the local SSA office along with:

A marriage certificate or court order
Proof of identity
Proof of citizenship

The SSA does not allow parties requesting record updates to apply online. Requesting parties can find local SSA offices using a zip search code on the Social Security Office Locator. Persons who have not yet established proof of citizenship with the SSA must present either a US passport or US birth certificate as proof of citizenship. The SSA accepts current driver’s licenses, US passports, or other state-issued IDs as proof of identity. If the requesting party does not have any of the preferred identity documents, the SSA may accept other documents that show the requesting party’s name, photograph, and age, such as school identification cards, employee identification cards, and military identification cards.

It is important to note that the SSA does not accept photocopies or notarized copies of required documents. The SSA only accepts original or certified copies of the documents. After the SSA receives and verifies all the information, the SSA will mail a corrected card, along with all the documents the requesting party submitted back to the requesting party. This process can take two to four weeks.

How to Get a New Driver’s License in Rhode Island?

The Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV)/in Rhode Island issues driver’s licenses. To get a new driver’s license, one must first update his or her social security information. Requesting parties may apply for new driver’s licenses 24 hours after a social security update. The DMV only offers name change services in person. Requesting parties must present a completed license application along with other required documents at any local DMV branch office. Other required documents include:

A current driver’s license
A marriage certificate or court order
Proof of identity
Proof of residency
Proof of social security

The license application form specifies the documents acceptable as proof in each category. The cost of updating a Rhode Island driver’s license is $27.50

How to Update Your Insurance Information in Rhode Island?

The Insurance Division of Rhode Island’s Department of Business Regulation oversees and regulates insurance activities in the state. The division lists the following major types of insurance as available in the state:

Property and casualty
Surplus lines
Life, accident, and health
Life settlements

To update insurance information in Rhode Island, a requesting party may contact his or her insurance agency and notify the agency of the name change. The agency may allow the party to update insurance information over the phone. The agency may also provide an information update form and require the requesting party to mail or fax proof of a change of name.

Where Do I Go to Change My Last Name in Rhode Island?

Persons who want to change last names in Rhode Island must either have a marriage certificate or file a Change of Name petition in the Probate Court in the county where the party resides. The requesting party must sign the petition in the presence of a notary public. The notary public must also sign the form. The requesting party may then file the petition with the Clerk of the Probate Court. Filing fees may vary from one county to another. However, the fees do not typically exceed $100. After filing, the Court Clerk sets a hearing date, which may be up to 30 days after filing.

Some courts require a criminal background check or a Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI) report. Additionally, some courts may require the petitioner to publish a notice of change of name in the newspaper. After the hearing, a judge may grant the change of name petition. The judge may also grant the petition and sign a decree of name change without a hearing. The Court Clerk can provide certified copies of the decree for the petitioner’s use.

How to Update Information with Rhode Island Mortgage and Utility Companies?

According to RIGL § 34-13-11, real estate owners or persons with interest in real estate who change names must notify the Recorder of Deeds in the town or city where the real estate is. The notification must be within 60 days of the name change. The Recorder of Deeds registers and maintains information relating to liens, mortgages, and deeds. Persons who wish to update mortgage information must also notify mortgage servicers of the change of name.

To update information with utility companies in Rhode Island, requesting parties may simply call the relevant company to notify the company of the change of name. Some companies may request a copy of the party’s identification or a marriage certificate as proof of a change of name.

What Documents Do I Need to Change My Name after Marriage?

To successfully complete a change of name process in Rhode Island, interested parties will need:

A marriage certificate or court order
Updated social security details
A driver’s license
A US passport or other state-issued identification
A birth certificate and other proof of the party’s old name

How to Get Certified Copies of Your Marriage License in Rhode Island?

In Rhode Island, marriage records are vital records and the Center for Vital Records makes certified copies available to authorized persons. Those authorized to request marriage records in Rhode Island include:

Persons named on the record
Attorneys
Persons with a court order
A parent, guardian, sibling, or authorized representative of parties named on the record
Other persons with a tangible and direct interest in the record

Authorized persons may request certified copies of marriage records online at $35. Alternatively, interested and authorized persons may request certified copies of marriage records in person at any town or city clerk’s office or the Center for Vital Records. Requesting parties must provide valid government-issued identification or other documents that show the party’s current residential address and name. Rhode Island’s Center for Vital Records assesses a $22 fee for the first copy of a marriage record.

Additional copies that the party requests on the same day cost $18 each. Requesting parties may make payments to the Center for Vital Records using money orders, cash, or checks addressed to the General Treasurer, State of Rhode Island. Requesting parties must contact each city or town clerk to inquire about acceptable payment methods. In-person requests take about two weeks to process, while expedited orders take up to five business days.

Interested parties may mail completed marriage records request forms to the Center for Vital Records at:

Department of Health
3 Capitol Hill
Providence, RI 02908

Requesting parties must send a copy of government-issued identification and payment by money order or check. The Center for Vital Records does not accept cash payments. Certified copies of marriage records cost $25 for a first copy and $18 for additional copies that the requesting party purchases on the same day. Parties who do not send completed application forms must send written requests stating:

The reason for the request
The requesting party’s relationship to the parties named on the record
The names on the record
The place and date of the event occurrence
The requesting party’s signature, phone number, and mailing address

How to Change Your Name After Marriage

A reliable alternative for obtaining vital records are third party websites. These are non-governmental aggregate sites that process record requests in a seamless, timely manner. While obtaining records from third-party sources is substantially easier than sourcing them from government-run repositories, the records and information contained in these sites may vary since they are privately-owned and independent of government sources.

How to Get a New Passport in Rhode Island?

Persons interested in getting new passports in Rhode Island must contact the United States Department of State in person. The update process depends on the requesting party’s situation. Forms and requirements for persons requesting new passports less than one year after a passport issue are different from that of those requesting more than one year after a passport issue. The Department of State requires both categories of people to provide:

A change of name document
A colored passport photograph (see specifications)
The requesting party’s most recent US passport

Persons requesting new passports due to a name change less than a year after a passport issue must fill Form DS-5504 and apply in person. Such persons may apply at no cost. Persons requesting new passports more than a year after a passport issue must fill either a Form DS-82 or a Form DS-11. Such persons must pay appropriate applicant fees. The Department of State provides a helpful guide that details requirements and specifications for different applicant categories. Applicants may only send mail-in applications through USPS as other companies cannot deliver to the Department of State’s mailing address.

Routine passport processing times are between 10 and 12 weeks. However, persons who urgently require US passports may pay for expedited services at $60. Expedited services take four to six weeks. Persons who need to travel sooner may visit passport agencies or centers to receive passports within 72 hours.

As an alternative to the expedited service, persons who need to travel during passport processing times may use social security cards or other state-issued identification as travel documents.

How to Change your Name on Bank Accounts in Rhode Island?

Interested parties may change bank account names in Rhode Island by contacting the bank’s customer service or information unit over the phone or in person. Bank updates require social security cards and government-issued identification, such as a driver’s license. Banks may also require legal proof of name change, such as certified copies of a marriage certificate or a court order. These documents will also be useful in updating checkbooks, debit and credit cards.

Once the requesting party receives updated debit and credit cards, the party must review and update any subscriptions, utilities, and automated payment services. The requesting party may update subscription information online or over the phone, depending on the service provider.

The party also needs to send updated banking information to their employer for tax purposes, as outdated tax information can result in delayed tax returns and refunds.

How Long Does it Take to Change Your Name in Rhode Island After Marriage?

A person’s marriage certificate reflects the person’s new name. However, persons who file a change of name petition can expect to either attend a hearing or get a court order at least 30 days after filing. Updates on government databases and the issuance of updated state-issued identification depend on the corresponding agencies’ processing times.

How Long Does it Take to Change Your Name in Rhode Island?

A person’s name is legally changed once the judge signs a decree of change of name. However, for the new name to become a legally recognized part of the person’s identity, the person must notify relevant agencies. After the Social Security Administration updates the party’s social security information, other government databases will be updated with the new information. However, the party is responsible for ensuring that the new name reflects on all state-issued identification.

The change of name process in Rhode Island can take months, depending on different factors, including the court’s schedule and government agency processing timelines.