How to Change Your Name After Marriage in Tennessee

Changing My Name After Marriage in Tennessee

Couples who decide to change their surnames after marriage typically do this for easy recognition as a family. Some do it to help them to feel more like a family as they see the change as a symbol of the commitment they are making to one another. Couples who take this route will have to update their names to reflect the new identity across federal and state government databases, using pre-designed steps for such updates.

Regardless of why couples may choose to change their names after marriage in Tennessee, they will need to follow certain steps at federal and state levels to legalize their new identities. Multiple documents will be required for the process - for example, the certified copy of a marriage license, which acts as the legal document authorizing the name change after the wedding. Marriage records are currently held at the Tennessee Office of Vital Records.

Interested and eligible members of the public may also obtain Tennessee marriage records by querying the courthouse where the marriage license was issued. These records are an essential requirement for facilitating name change requests in the state.

How to Change Your Name After Marriage in Tennessee

The steps for a name change in Tennessee are listed below:

Procure a marriage certificate from the Office of Vital Records, Tennessee Department of Health.
Petition for a change of name.
Update name information with the Social Security Administration (SSA).
Change the name on a US passport.
Update the name on a Tennessee driver's license.
Complete the process by updating the name elsewhere, including bank and credit card accounts, vehicle title and registration, employee records, insurance policies, and property ownership records.

An individual can choose to secure the services of a family attorney to start and complete their name change process. This can relieve them of potential complexities and save time. Alternatively, though time-consuming, a person may choose to carry out the name change themselves.

How to Update Your Social Security Card in Tennessee

The name change process starts with the Social Security Administration. An updated Social Security card is important to update other documents. For example, a driver's license requires this card before it can be updated.

The following are the steps to updating a Social Security card:

Download the "Application for Social Security Form" called Form SS-5 from the SSA website.
Fill in the SS-5 form.
Attach a court order or certified marriage certificate to show a change of name.
Attach proof of citizenship. (Passport, certificate of naturalization, consular report of birth, or certificate of citizenship).
Include evidence of age. (Certified copies of final adoption papers, birth certificate, or passport).
Include proof of immigration status (Form I-776, I-551, or I-94).
Include proof of identity. (Certificate of naturalization, U.S. military ID card, government-issued photo ID with the former name, or a certified medical record).
Submit the completed form and other documents by mail or in person at the nearest SSA office.
Receive the updated/corrected card 7 to 14 days after the SSA receives the submission.

Use the field office locator to discover the nearest SSA office with a ZIP code. Applicants should note that updating the Social Security card is free.

How to Get a New Driver's License in Tennessee

Applicants in Tennessee who need to get a new driver's license after a name change must visit a Tennessee Driver Service Center to change their names. The steps to complete this process include:

Provide a current license.
Include certified or original documents with the reason for the name change outlined.
Provide a certified marriage certificate
Pay the fees, which range from $8 to $16 for duplication. The number of duplicates will determine the final amount.

To locate Tennessee Driver Service locations in the state, applicants can refer to the Driver Service Locations page on the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security's website.

How to Update Your Insurance Information in Tennessee?

The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance licenses and regulates companies and individuals selling insurance in the state. The following types of insurance are listed on its website:

Health insurance
Workers' compensation insurance
Life insurance
Homeowners insurance
Flood insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Auto insurance

Holders of insurance policies pay premiums that cover the insurance they may have signed up for from the insurance companies. Premiums are paid periodically by the insured to the insurance company. An insured individual can claim a benefit if the risk that is covered by the insurance occurs. These financial exchanges between the insurance company and the insured show why a name change update is important as insurance companies cannot afford to transact with irregular or inaccurate accounts.

Individuals will have to contact their various insurance companies to ensure that their records are updated after a name change. A call or visit to the company may be necessary. Documents such as the certified marriage certificate, social security number, and government-issued photo ID card may be required during the process.

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

In Tennessee, individuals who want to change their last name have to file a petition at the Chancery Court of their county. The steps are as follows:

Download the Change of Name Petition (Adult) or get a copy at the Chancery Court of the county where the applicant resides.
Fill in all the required information but leave the signature blank.
Download the Adult Name Change Order Form and fill in all the required information. (The judge or chancellor will sign this document after the hearing if they approve the name change).
Provide a certified birth certificate.
Provide an updated Social Security card.
Include an official government-issued photo ID.
File the petition and order form with a local Chancery Court and submit documents to the court clerk after signing before a notary.
Pay the fee for the name change petition and order, about $150.
Attend the hearing before the chancellor on the given date. The chancellor will sign the order form if the name change is approved, and the court clerk will provide the petitioner with certified copies.

Change of name forms for the Chancery Courts, including the address and contact details for a county, are available on the respective county's websites.

Petitioners should note that persons who have been convicted of first-degree murder, second-degree murder, a felony, or any offense which requires registration as a sexual offender, are disallowed from applying for a name change. Applicants for name change must be residents in the county where they are filing the petition.

How to Update Information with Tennessee Mortgage and Utility Companies

The Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions regulates mortgage companies in the state. The process of securing a mortgage requires multiple paperwork with documents bearing the name of the person securing the mortgage. Mortgages are loans; therefore, a name change from the borrower should be communicated to the lender (mortgage company) for approval and update of records. Updating records will essentially involve:

Contacting the mortgage company to request information on the process of a name change. (This can be done by a phone call).
Completing the update by filling online or PDF forms and submitting accompanying documents, such as certified marriage certificates and others requested by the mortgage company.

Utility companies provide gas, water, sewer, waste, electricity, telephone services, etc., to state residents. In Tennessee, the Utilities Division of the Tennessee Public Utility Commission is responsible for establishing policies for the utility companies in the state. Because charges for the use or consumption of utilities are invoiced to individuals, failure to report a legal name change to a utility company can cause payment disputes, leading to the disconnection of utilities. Utility companies will have varying methods to update the information of their users, but they will not be much different from the steps above for updating mortgage companies.

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

Individuals who want to change their names after marriage will have to go through certain statutory steps to do this and will require the following documents:

Certified marriage certificate
Petition for a change of name form
Adult name change order form
Updated Social Security card
Updated passport.
Updated Tennessee driver's license.

How to Get Certified Copies of Your Marriage License in Tennessee

A marriage license is a legal document obtained by couples before getting married. In Tennessee, the license is obtained from the office of the county clerk. The license will be signed during or after the ceremony and returned to the county. Then, a marriage certificate will be issued to the couple. Individuals who want certified copies of their marriage license can get it by mail from the Office of Vital Records or the relevant clerk's office (where they applied for the marriage license). It is also possible to access marriage licenses online. Applicants will need to provide the following to get the certified marriage certificate:

A completed and signed application for a certified copy
Names of the couple as is on the license
Date of the marriage
A photocopy of a government-issued ID with the signature of the applicant
Money order or check for the appropriate fee made payable to Tennessee Vital Records.

Applicants who choose to use the Tennessee Vital Records office can visit the office Monday to Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. at:

1st Floor, Andrew Johnson Tower
710 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, TN 37243

Mail requests can be sent to the same address as above. The fee for a certified marriage certificate is $15. Applicants sending in their requests should note that this fee is non-refundable, even if the record is not found.

Applicants can use the county clerk locations page on Tennessee's official website to find all county clerk office locations, mailing addresses, office hours, and phone numbers across the state.

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 Tennessee

The most important travel document for persons who travel internationally is the passport. This document is required regardless of the journey - air, land, or sea. The United States Department of State is responsible for administering passports in the country. To apply for a passport, an applicant will need:

A certified copy of their birth certificate. (Photocopies are not accepted)
Valid driver's license or a government-issued photo ID card
Passport photo
Passport book with the previous name
Certified marriage certificate
Application form
Fees paid via check or money order

All applications for passports must be made in person. The passport application fee for adults is $110, with an additional $60 for expedited service. Payments must be made by money order or check made payable to the U.S. Department of State. Applicants should note that a regular passport application takes 10-12 weeks, while expedited applications can be as quick as 4-6 weeks. Additional county charges may apply.

Submissions can be made at the county clerk's office, which also serves as a passport acceptance facility. Applicants are advised to call the respective clerk's office to book an appointment.

How to Change your Name on Bank Accounts in Tennessee

Changing the name on a bank account due to marriage is a process that will help ensure that one's new identity reflects on their bank account(s). The process for this name change includes:

Contacting the bank to find out the required steps and documents.
Ensuring that all documents required are available or obtaining them quickly if they are not.

Besides updating the name on a bank account, individuals should also ensure that they change the names on their credit cards, debit cards, and checkbooks and send the updated banking details to their employers.

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

Changing a name after marriage in Tennessee involves multiple steps with visits to various government agencies. An individual's completion of the name change process will be dependent on multiple factors, such as the documents they already have and those they need to obtain. For instance, older documents, such as the birth certificate, may be hard to find, and a party may need to request a copy or replacement. This may take up to 3 to 4 weeks.

Also, agencies have specific timelines within which they process name change requests. For example, a Social Security card update can take up to 2 weeks, updating a driver's license can take up to 20 business days, and correcting a U.S. passport can take up to 10 to 12 weeks unless expedited. Other steps of the process, such as the court hearing, can also add significantly to the time frame.

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

Persons who have started a name change process can begin to use their names once a chancellor signs a court order approving the name change in response to their petition. However, they will still need to go through the name change process for other documents, including a Social Security card, driver's license, and passport, and this may take several weeks.