How to Change Your Name After Marriage in Kansas

Changing My Name After Marriage in Kansas

When a marriage occurs, one of the spouses may decide to take the name of their partner. Upon getting a name change in Kansas, the couple must update their information with relevant government agencies.

Generally, a name change in Kansas may occur after marriage, divorce, or through filing a petition for a change of name in the district court. Persons that intend to change their name after marriage must follow some procedures, such as obtaining a marriage license and certificate. However, the district court requires both parties to be at least eighteen years of age to apply for a marriage license. Applicants aged sixteen to seventeen may apply with the consent of their parents or legal guardians. Copies of certified Kansas marriage records are available at the Department of Health and Environment upon request and payment of the necessary fees.

How to Change Your Name After Marriage in Kansas

Firstly, persons looking to get a name change after marriage in Kansas must obtain a marriage license from a district court. Such individuals can visit the district court clerk's office to obtain and fill an application form. However, some district court clerk's offices provide an online form that applicants can complete and submit in-person or online. For instance, Johnson county has a downloadable application form on its site.

Other requirements may include proof of age (such as a birth certificate) to ascertain that the marrying parties are of the legal age. While the cost of obtaining a marriage license may differ in various counties, the district clerk's office usually charges up to $86.

Upon successfully applying, there is a standard three-day waiting period to obtain the license. Individuals should note that the license is valid for six months, although certified copies are available after marriage.

How to Update Your Social Security Card in Kansas

Upon getting a name change in Kansas after marriage or through a court order, it is necessary to notify the Social Security Administration (SSA) and get an updated social security card. Individuals can visit a Kansas SSA location to get started. Typically, the SSA requires some documents to process the change, including:

A social security card application form, completed with the required details.
For persons that have not established their citizenship with the SSA, a document, e.g., a U.S passport or birth certificate, showing proof of citizenship must be tendered.
Such individuals must also submit proof of legal name change, i.e., a marriage certificate or a court order.
An identity document, e.g., a driver's license, U.S passport, or another state-issued identification card, will be required as well.

The process is cost-free, and applicants can submit their documents via mail or in-person at their local SSA office. Failure to reflect a name change on social security cards may cause a decrease in social security benefits if the agency cannot correctly post wages. It can also cause delays when such individuals file their taxes. More information on the requirements for a new social security card is available on the SSA site.

How to Get a New Driver's License in Kansas

Getting a new driver's license in Kansas is compulsory after a name change. Motorists will have to notify the Division of Vehicle (DOV) and request a new license after changing their names. They can visit the division's office location upon getting the following requirements:

Current driver's license
Proof of name change, such as marriage certificate or court order (only original or certified copies are accepted)
State-recognized identity document
New social security card that shows the change of name
Proof of payment of $16 processing fee

Some motorists may be required to bring more documents. Interested persons can see a list of requirements the DOV needs for license replacements. The DOV will only process a request if the motorist has notified the Social Security Administration of the name change and gotten a new social security card. Motorists can submit documents in person or mail them to the DOV location at:

Driver's Licensing
P.O. Box 2188
Topeka, KS 66601-2188

Phone: (785) 296-3671
Fax:(785) 296-0691
Email: KDOR_dl@ks.gov

How to Update Your Insurance Information in Kansas

Upon changing vital information such as a name or residential address, one must notify insurance agencies that provide their car insurance, health insurance, life insurance, employment insurance, or property insurance.

The Kansas Insurance Department serves as the insurance regulatory body in the state. Since changing a name is like getting a new identity, an individual's insurance records must carry the new name. Insured persons can contact their insurance company to request the update and find out more details on the process. It usually involves the insured filling a form and providing proof of identification and name change (marriage certificate or court order).

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

Persons who wish to change their last names in Kansas can go to a district court to do so. While married couples can change their last names on their marriage certificates, it is also possible to use the state court. Requesting the name change typically requires the person to submit a written Change of Name petition alongside other documents and pay the court cost. The steps to change one's last name in Kansas include:

Firstly, obtain and complete a Civil Information Sheet. Fill only the plaintiff section with the required information. Plaintiffs should also tick the "other civil" box in the civil section and contact the district court clerk for inquiries.
Proceed by filling the Petition for Change of Name with the necessary information and append a signature above the line titled "petitioner."
Submit the petition at any district court location at the clerk's office.
Upon successfully filing the petition, the clerk will assign the plaintiff a case number and a court division. Petitioners are to contact the court division and request the time and date of the hearing.
Petitioners must notify the public of their name change by publishing a notice of hearing in an authorized newspaper or inform only their associates by sending the notice via certified mail.
If a judge approves the petition after the hearing, he/she will issue and sign an Order of Name Change, which the plaintiff must file and stamp with the court clerk.

Copies of the court order are a requirement to update names with other agencies.

How to Update Information with Kansas Mortgage and Utility Companies

It is necessary for mortgagors that changed their name or other personal details to contact their mortgage companies and update their information. The company will provide instructions on the procedure of updating such information. Documents a mortgagor may need include proof of name change, social security card, and a valid identity document. However, different mortgage companies may have other requirements to show proof of mortgage.

Individuals can also update their information with utility companies that provide them services like water, electricity, sewer, or transportation. Such utility consumers can contact the company and request an update or check their site to confirm if a self-service page/portal to update the information on a billing account is provided.

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

The documents needed for interested couples to change their names after marriage in Kansas include:

A marriage license obtained from a district court
Certified copies of the marriage certificate gotten from the Department of Health and Environment
State-issued identity documents
A new social security card from the Social Security Administration

Reflecting a name change on other databases may sometimes require more documents. For instance, documents confirming U.S citizenship and age are requirements to change the name on a U.S passport.

How to Get Certified Copies of Your Marriage License in Kansas

The Vital Statistics Office of the Department of Health and Environment is responsible for maintaining marriage records in Kansas from May 1, 1913, to the present. Interested persons can request certified copies of their marriage records through various platforms used by the office:

Ordering through the internet: The Vital Statistics Office provides an online platform where individuals can order certified copies of a marriage license. The order must be processed with a credit card in the name of the requester. Requesters will also have to provide their social security information or driver's license number. The office processes a request within three business days after receiving it. Each certified copy costs $15, with an additional $13.95 for expedited service.
Ordering by telephone: Requestors can call the office via phone on (877) 305-8315 to request a marriage certificate. The service is always available, and individuals can call 24 hours, seven days a week. The cost of getting a certified copy is $15. Applicants can pay with a credit card, provided it is in their name.
Mobile application: Requesters can also download the mobile app on their device to get certified copies of their marriage license at a $15 fee for each copy, with an additional $5 processing fee. The documents can be received via U.S mail within seven to ten business days.
Ordering via mail: Individuals can also prepare a written request and send it to the office through regular mail or priority mail. A fee of $15 per certified copy is charged. The money is payable by check or money order. Ideally, requesters should get their order between seven to ten business days. Individuals should mail the request to:

Office of Vital Statistics
Curtis State Office Building
1000 South West Jackson
Topeka, KS 66612-2221

Other information that the office may request to process the search includes:

The full names of the partners at the time of marriage
Last name of the spouses before marriage
The date and location the partners got married
The county that granted the couple a marriage license
The date of birth of the married individuals
A valid phone number the office can contact
The mailing address the requester wishes to receive the document
Copies of a valid state-issued identity document (for proof of identification)

For more information, the office takes phone calls at (785) 296-1400) from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m on weekdays. In-person inquiries can be made at:

Curtis State Office Building
Suite 120
1000 South West Jackson
Topeka, KS 66612-2221

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 Kansas

U.S citizens that change their names can update their U.S passports with the Department of State. Travel documents used to process this update includes:

An application form
A certified document that shows proof of name change (certified marriage license or court order)
The former U.S passport
One colored passport photo

There are different applications used to obtain a passport. As such, applicants must ensure they complete and submit the appropriate form. These forms can be downloaded on the department's site. Also, the site contains instructions on which form is suitable. The Passport Photos page also provides photo requirements that the required passport photo must meet. Some fees may apply for the process, depending on the type of passport requested. Individuals that wish to expedite the process and receive their passports within four to six weeks must pay an additional $60.

How to Change your Name on Bank Accounts in Kansas

Persons who changed their names in Kansas must update personal information with their banks as well. The bank needs to recognize such development to ensure account owners can continue transactions without any issues.

Account owners can contact their banks to inform them of the change and request that their accounts be updated. Such inquiries can occur at a local bank branch. The process may require the account owner to provide some documents, including proof of a change of name, a new social security card, and a valid ID document.

After updating an account's name, debit cards, credit cards, or checkbooks will become invalid for use and should also be changed. Account owners should send their new banking information to employers to ensure it reflects in their employment information.

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

Couples can change their names after marriage in Kansas by applying for a marriage license. The court clerk takes two weeks from the date of application to process and grant the license.

If a person fails to change their name in the marriage license within thirty days of the marriage ceremony, they must contact the Office of Vital Statistics to process the change. If it exceeds thirty days, they must file a petition to change the name with a district court.

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

Typically, the length of time for a name change in Kansas depends on the process and the various agencies that update the spouse's information. It may range from a few weeks to some months. Individuals are advised to contact these agencies immediately if they change their name through a marriage license, divorce decree, or court order. That way, they can finish up with the name change process quickly.