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How to Change Your Name After Marriage in Wisconsin

Changing My Name After Marriage in Wisconsin

Some spouses may choose to take up a new name as they start the marital journey with a loved one. They may adopt a spouse's surname, add a new name to their current name, or join names with a hyphen. The reasons for this name change can be legal, personal, or practical. However, any person who takes this step must update their records with the relevant government and private institutions.

Residents of Wisconsin and other persons who wish to get married in Wisconsin must follow laid down administrative and statutory procedures to formalize the change. One step in the process is to obtain a certified marriage license from the Vital Records Office of the Wisconsin Department of Health Services or the county clerks' offices across the state.

Wisconsin marriage records are also maintained by the clerk of courts in local courthouses where marriage licenses are generated. These records may be relevant for a variety of other legal processes besides name change requests.

How to Change Your Name After Marriage in Wisconsin

An individual resident in Wisconsin intending to change names after marriage can do so legally with the following steps:

  • Apply for a Wisconsin marriage license
  • Apply for an updated Social Security Card at the Social Security Administration
  • Apply for a name change on a US passport
  • Update driver's license at the Wisconsin Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
  • Share the new name with other relevant public/private agencies and organizations, such as a current employer, bank, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and an insurance company.

Each step mentioned above involves presenting several documents and making payments of specified fees to different institutions. Thus, the process can be time-consuming. To free up time, an experienced family attorney can be hired to handle the process. Still, individuals can decide to complete the process themselves, provided they follow the steps of the different institutions and make out the time to complete it.

How to Update Your Social Security Card in Wisconsin?

Individuals who opt to change their birth names after marriage must apply to the Social Security Administration (SSA) for an updated Social Security card. Updating a Social Security card is important because other agencies may require this card before processing a request for a name change. There is no cost to update a Social Security card. The process usually involves the following steps:

  • Applying for a Social Security card using the SSA Form SS-5
  • Providing a certified marriage certificate or court order and the following documents:
    • Proof of citizenship (passport or birth certificate)
    • Evidence of age (birth certificate, passport, final adoption decree)
    • Proof of identity (US passport, government-issued photo ID card, or current driver's license)
    • Evidence of citizenship (US passport or US birth certificate)
    • Evidence of immigration (Form I-551, I-94, or I-766)

Applicants must submit the application form and required documentation at the Social Security Office closest to them or send it all by mail with a self-addressed stamped envelope. Usually, an individual will receive a new Social Security Card within 2 to 4 weeks of applying.

Applicants should note that only original documents or certified copies are accepted. Photocopies and notarized copies must be certified by the source of the original document. Applicants can find the nearest Social Security office using the SSA Office Locator available online using the ZIP code of their current location.

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

After receiving an updated Social Security card, updating the driver's license is the next step in an applicant's name change journey. Individuals must visit a Wisconsin Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Customer Service Center to apply for a duplicate license. They will need to provide:

  • Proof of identity (photo driver license, photo ID card, US government or military dependent ID card)
  • Proof of name change (certified marriage certificate, court order, or US passport with current name)
  • Proof of name and birth (valid US passport, certified birth certificate, or consular report of birth abroad)
  • Two proof of residency documents (Can be electronic or originals. Paycheck, utility bill, mobile phone bill, financial statements, deed/title, mortgage, government-issued correspondence, employee ID card, photo ID from a Wisconsin accredited university)
  • Proof of legal presence (valid US passport or passport card, US or local government-issued birth certificate, or consular report of birth abroad)

All documents must be certified copies with stamps or raised seals, or originals. Photocopies of documents will not be accepted. A duplicate driver's license costs $14. DMV applicants can make payments at DMV Customer Service Centers with cash, debit card, credit card, and check. Credit and debit card payments attract a 2% convenience fee. Checks should be made payable to "Registration Fee Trust."

How to Update Your Insurance Information in Wisconsin?

The insurance regulator in Wisconsin is the Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI). The OCI lists different insurance types, including property, health, workers' compensation, disability income, automobile, home, life, annuities, Medicare, general liability, commercial auto, professional liability, and home renters insurance. Insurance coverage such as liability insurance is mandatory for all vehicle owners in Wisconsin.

Persons updating their records after marriage will require a certified copy of their marriage certificate, government-issued form of identification, and Social Security number. Individuals can call the provider of the insurance policy they hold to find out information on the process of updating records. This will determine if they need to visit the insurance company to request the update or if it can be done remotely. This process will vary by company.

Individuals who hold group policies through employers should also provide proof of the name change to their employers to update the name on the insurance policy.

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

Individuals who need to process a name change in Wisconsin outside marriage must file a petition with their county's circuit court. Forms can be downloaded online or acquired from the clerk of court. Applicants should proceed to fill out the applicable petition form and continue the process thus:

  • Submit the petition, making at least two copies of it.
  • Make a payment of required fees to the clerk of court.
  • Applicants will be given a hearing date and time. Copies of the form will be authenticated and returned to the applicant.
  • Applicants are to publish the notice of the hearing form in a local newspaper once a week for three weeks.
  • Get an "Affidavit of Publication" from the local newspaper upon completing publication.
  • Follow the court's rules on filing the proof of publication with the clerk before the hearing or prepare to present it at the name change hearing.
  • Attend the name change hearing.

The judge will sign the Order for Name Change if the petition is granted. Applicants are to file the Order for Name Change with the clerk.

Individuals with a professional license may need the approval of a licensing commission or board to change their names. Persons who must register as sex offenders in Wisconsin are not allowed to change their names. The address and contact details of the circuit court clerks are available online on the Wisconsin Circuit Courts' website. The statutory filing fee for the petition is $164.50.

How to Update Information with Wisconsin Mortgage and Utility Companies?

The Department of Financial Institution regulates and licenses mortgage companies in Wisconsin. At the same time, the Public Service Commission is responsible for regulating public utilities in Wisconsin, including those owned by the municipalities. Mortgages are loans used to buy land or property, while utilities include services provided to the public, such as gas, electricity, water, telephone services, and waste.

Newlyweds who want to update their names with mortgage and utility companies can do this by finding out the specific steps of the company through a phone call or by visiting a local branch. Issues like these will typically be handled by the customer service departments of the companies. An individual will need to provide a certified marriage certificate, an updated social security number, and a government-issued photo ID to effect the change.

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

An individual who needs to change their name after marriage will require the following documents to complete the process:

  • A Wisconsin marriage license or certified marriage certificate
  • An updated Social Security Card from the SSA
  • An updated driver's license or state Identity Card from the Wisconsin DMV
  • A certified copy of a birth certificate
  • An updated US passport

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

People can obtain certified copies of marriage licenses in Wisconsin from the Vital Records Office or Register of Deeds Office in any county across the state, regardless of the county where the license was issued. Applicants need only to find the nearest Register of Deeds office to get the certified marriage certificates.

For the Wisconsin Vital Records Office, in-person requests can be made with a US government-issued photo ID at this address:

Vital Records Office
1 West Wilson Street, Room 160
Madison, WI 53703

The Vital Records Office is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., Mondays through Fridays. In-person requests made before 3:30 p.m. are received on the same day. The first copy of a record is $20, while subsequent copies attract a $3 fee. Payment methods include cash, money order, or check.

Certified marriage certificate applications can also be made by mail using the Marriage Certificate Application Form and a US government-issued photo ID (photocopy). The mailing address of the agency is as follows:

Wisconsin Vital Records Office
P.O. Box 309
Madison, WI 53701

Orders by mail will be sent by USPS regular mail. The fees are the same as in-person applications. Payment can be made via money order or check made payable to "State of Wis. Vital Records." Mail orders take approximately ten business days to process once received.

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 Wisconsin?

Residents of Wisconsin who require new US passports after a name change will need to apply to the US Department of State. These travel documents are required for all modes of international travel out of the US Applicants for a new US passport are required to:

  • Download and fill the application form: Form DS-5504, Form DS-11, or Form DS-82. The Form Filler can help in selecting the appropriate form based on an applicant's responses.
  • Submit a current passport with the application.
  • Provide proof of US citizenship, such as a birth certificate or consular record of birth.
  • Include name change documents, such as the certified marriage certificate
  • Provide proof of identity, e.g., a government-issued valid photo ID card
  • Attach a passport photograph to the application. This photo must meet the US Department of State's photo requirements.
  • Mail the completed application and requested documents through the United States Postal Service (USPS), along with payment (if applicable). These can also be hand-delivered if ineligible to apply via mail.

Standard passport application fees are $110 for passports that take 10 to 12 weeks to process, while expedited service adds a $60 fee and reduces the processing time to 4 to 6 weeks. Fees can be paid with credit cards, checks, and money orders made payable to the "US Department of State."

How to Change your Name on Bank Accounts in Wisconsin?

Individuals with bank accounts in Wisconsin will need to update their accounts after a legal name change to continue to use these accounts without any restrictions. Customers can find out the steps by phone call, chat services, or a visit to the bank. A session with a customer care agent will inform the individuals of the bank's requirements. The customer will also need to order new debit cards, credit cards, and checkbooks in their new names.

Afterward, individuals can send the updated banking information to their employers to prevent payment errors.

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

The time it takes to complete a name change in Wisconsin after marriage is a sum of the duration of the different name change processes. Each stage requires visitation to different government agencies with unique requirements. Some of the requirements are dependent on others, i.e., they cannot be completed until a previous stage is completed. Individuals making a name change will need to schedule ample time for the process.

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

There are several steps involved in the name change process. As a result, the change takes some time to complete and requires substantial resources. The basic steps are applying for a marriage license, updating a social security card, and updating a driver's license. Without these documents, it will be quite impossible to complete others as the documents will be demanded throughout the process. To reduce the total time of the process, individuals must ensure they have the correct documents before starting the process.