How to Change Your Name After Marriage in Hawaii

Changing My Name After Marriage in Hawaii

A person's official identity changes when he/she decides to take on his/her spouse's last name or hyphenate. Consequently, documents must reflect the name change and be uniform across all state and federal identity databases. Married residents who wish to accomplish a name change must provide a marriage certificate from the Department of Health. Alternatively, the individual must notify the Lieutenant Governor and follow the procedures outlined in Hawaii Revised Statute §574-5. Per this statute, couples must present a notarized petition to the Lieutenant Governor or complete the name change form.

To facilitate a name change request in Hawaii, interested and eligible persons must query local repositories or record custodians for their Hawai marriage records. These records offer proof of the requestors marital status and validate their rights to the requested changes.

How to Change Your Name After Marriage in Hawaii

Below are the basic steps to change one's name legally in Hawaii:

Visit the Lieutenant Governor's office for the correct name change forms and instructions.
Inform the Social Security Administration
Get a US passport showing the new name.
Obtain a new driver's ID
Inform government agencies, service providers, and employers

Parties who want to begin a change of name action can contact an attorney to simplify the procedure. DIY is also viable, especially for persons who cannot afford an attorney. Either way, applicants must know the name change procedure applicable to various private and public entities.

How to Update Your Social Security Card in Hawaii?

The Social Security Administration must receive notification of any changes in one's name, and residents must provide documentation supporting the request for updated information. The update is free and interested persons can make the request by mail or in person.

Typically, applicants will have to;

Gather the necessary paperwork

These essential documents include proof of citizenship, birth certificate, and marriage certificate/court order showing the new name. Additionally, concerned persons may attach original copies of documents such as a driver's license, state-issued ID, or government-issued photo ID.

Fill out the application form

Interested parties must complete the application for a Social Security Card form.

Apply via mail

Applicants must enclose the completed form and documents in a self-addressed stamped envelope and mail it to the closest Social Security Office.

Find the nearest social security office with a zip code or consult the official pamphlet. The social security helpline is reachable on 1-(800) 772-1213 or 1-(800) 325-0778.

Receive a new social security card

Usually, the Social Security Administration processes requests for a change of name within two to four weeks from the time of application.

How to Get a New Driver's License in Hawaii?

Concerned parties can renew their driver's license after receiving a new card from the Social Security Administration (SSA). However, the Motor Vehicle and Licensing Office in four counties, including Maui, Kauai, Hawaii County, and Honolulu, have varying procedures for processing a new driver's license. Generally, a person who wishes to get a new driver's license must provide:

Documents showing the name change (e.g., marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order)
Current driver's license (Parties who are not able to bring their driver's license can bring two (2) items that prove their identities, such as a birth certificate or social security card)
Application fees
Applicants must pass a vision test and provide fingerprints.

How to Update Your Insurance Information in Hawaii?

Insurance policyholders who have changed names must contact their insurance providers to remain eligible for subscribed benefits. Usually, most insurance companies will request that the concerned party complete a form to update their information. For instance, individuals using Med-Quest for health coverage can update their details by;

Logging in into the KOLEA portal account
Filling the Change of Circumstance Report Form (DHS 1179A)
Submit the form at any Med-QUEST Eligibility Branch Offices

Alternatively, make the name change by calling (877) 628-5076 or request via fax or mail. Note that Med-Quest will need to see proof of name change, i.e., marriage certificate or court order. In addition, different insurance companies have different timelines to process a change in information. Hence, it is essential that persons who change their names contact the insurer as soon as possible.

Where Do I Go to Change My Last Name in Hawaii?

Residents in Hawaii who want to change their last name per Hawaii Revised Statutes 574-5 can visit the Lieutenant Governor's office if they have lived in the state for at least six (6) months. Typically, the process involves:

Completing legal paperwork and paying the filing fees.

A name change begins with completing the necessary forms and filing a petition with a non-refundable $50.00 fee and a $5.00 service fee. Upon filing, petitioners will have to provide the current name, the desired name, and the reason for the application. The Lieutenant Governor's office may grant or refuse the application depending on whether the applicant fulfills the statutory requirement and the office agrees to the petition's intent. Once the petition passes this critiquing stage, the petitioner will receive a duly signed notice of change of name form.

Publishing the notice of change of name form

Upon receipt of the notice of change of name change form, the applicant must announce the name change in a local newspaper and mail the Lieutenant Governor's office the proof of publication. The individual must make this publication within sixty days of submitting the petition.

Getting a decree

If there are no written objections following the publication within ten days and after filing the proof, the Lieutenant Governors' office will sign the order form and send a copy to the applicant, who in turn must sign and serve the Bureau of Conveyances within sixty days.

How to Update Information with Hawaii Mortgage and Utility Companies?

In Hawaii, an individual who is interested in updating their mortgage information must provide the company with one of the following documents;

Marriage certificate
Notarized order from the Lieutenant Governors' office

Concerned persons can also update information by preparing and recording a correction deed. This helps to change the name and address on a mortgage. Parties must complete the deed with the old name as the grantor and the new name as the grantee. In addition, the deed must state the reason for correction and reference the old deed by date, recording number, and place of recording.

On the other hand, many utility companies provide access to transportation, water and sewer services, power supply, telecommunication, and other services. To change one's name with any of these companies, one can call the company to state the reasons for a name change and effect the change. While some companies can process a name change over the phone, some may require making this change online on the dashboards. Equally, other companies may request that persons send a mail with a copy of the order of change of name or a marriage certificate.

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

Parties who want to initiate a change of name in Hawaii must present the following;

Certified marriage certificate
Driver's license
Social Security card
Birth certificate

How to Get Certified Copies of Your Marriage License in Hawaii?

Individuals who intend to obtain certified copies of their marriage licenses apply online by following these steps:

Visit the Hawaii Department of Health website.
Select Apply License under Couples
Select "marriage" on the Application Type page
Enter and confirm the required information
Complete payment and print the payment receipt

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 Hawaii?

The instructions for changing one's name on a passport depend on whether the previous passport was obtained less than a year ago or longer. Residents who want to change their names on their passport can follow these steps:

Visit the US Department of State website.
Download the DS-5504 form (if requesting a name change less than a year after the previous passport was issued) or download the DS-82 form (if requesting a name change more than a year after the previous passport was issued)
Fill out the application form.
Attach most recent US passport
Attach original name change document (i.e., a marriage certificate)
Include one color passport of acceptable size
Attach a check or money order payable for the Adult Renewal Applicant fees (if applying more than one year after issuing of former passport)
Mail all documents attached to the form through USPS.

Usually, the US Department of State renews passports between ten to twelve weeks. Nevertheless, the US Department of State allows for faster timelines under certain situations. For example, an applicant may request to receive the passport between 4 to 6 weeks but must pay $60 for the service. Also, individuals who have urgent international travel and those with life and death emergencies can apply to receive their passports within 72 hours.

How to Change Your Name on Bank Accounts in Hawaii?

Parties can change the name on their bank accounts through in-person visits to the bank, on the phone, or the bank's online platform. Banks often require the following documents to change the name on a bank account:

Marriage certificate
Social security detail
Driver's license

A rule of thumb is to call the bank ahead of time to know which documents to take along. Residents seeking to change the name on a bank account over the phone must still mail the required documents to the bank.

Following the name change, the account holder must obtain new debit and credit cards and a new checkbook reflecting the new name. Also, individuals with new names must notify their employers to update the necessary documents and payroll information.

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

The time to successfully effect a name change after marriage depends on the applicant. Notwithstanding, some other factors can also play a part in the period it takes to change a name. Considering the procedures this action entails and the time frame other government bodies might need to satisfy protocol, it is likely to complete the process for a name change after marriage within six to eight weeks.

How Long Does it Take to Change Your Name in Hawaii?

The process of changing a name can run into weeks or even months. It takes quite some time to see the change of name evident on a driver's license or social security detail, and this excludes the period to document the name change order at the Bureau of Conveyances. Nevertheless, applicants can expect a name change in six to eight weeks.

Filing a change of name is a tasking endeavor. Hence, interested parties may consider hiring an attorney to offer expertise on how to ease the burden.