How to Change Your Name After Marriage in Oregon

Changing My Name After Marriage in Oregon

Citizens and residents of Oregon can change their names through marriage or domestic partnership registration, divorce, or court order. However, taking up a partner's name after marriage remains the most common method of the three. Name alterations do not change the person in any way, but it changes their identity. Hence, this change must be reflected in government identity records and databases.

While the name change process within the state is relatively straightforward, it requires the individual to adhere to specific legal and administrative procedures. For instance, individuals that alter their names using a marriage license must obtain a certified copy of the marriage certificate from the county clerk or the Oregon vital records office. The document verifies the name change and will be requested by multiple organizations that require proof to update the individual's new name.

Interested persons may also query local courthouses and repositories for their Oregon marriage records. These records are a prerequisite for facilitating name changes in the state. Hence, a name change cannot be processed without a marriage record in the state.

How to Change Your Name After Marriage in Oregon

Under state laws, married individuals have the right to maintain their names after marriage, take a spouse's name, or combine both. Making a name change after marriage is a popular choice for newlyweds in Oregon. Correctly applying for a marriage license in Oregon is crucial to the name change process. This is because the state insists that name changes be noted on marriage license applications. As a result, the process commences even before the wedding.

Therefore, any individual must decide what name they want, how they want it documented, in what order, and if it should be hyphenated before filing a marriage license. However, the name change options presented by the Oregon marriage license are limited. The document only allows people to change their name to their partner's last name or have a combination of their two last names.

To commence this process, the intending spouses must first apply for a marriage license in the county where the wedding will be held. Both parties must be present to purchase the license and must be at least 18 years old. Applying for the license is essential because it helps the couple receive a certified copy of their marriage certificate after the wedding. They must provide the following information at the clerk's office:

Proof of age, such as driver's license
Social security number, and
Other personal information such as an address, date, place of birth, etc.

Many Oregon counties provide a means of filling the application online in advance to submit it in person. A marriage license in Oregon costs around $55 to $60, depending on the county. The couple will also be charged for certified copies.

Once the marriage is finalized, the marriage certificate will be issued, and it becomes proof of legal name change. It can be used to update a party's information across all relevant agencies in the state.

How to Update Your Social Security Card in Oregon

After obtaining a name change and a legal name change document, the next step is notifying the Social Security Administration and getting an updated Social Security card. Completing this step makes the legal name change official. Also, obtaining a corrected and updated Social Security card is essential to changing the name on other forms of identification.

Original or certified copies of the documents below are required to process the update in an SSA office:

Application for Social Security Card.
Documents that prove the individual's U.S. citizenship. This may include a work permit, birth certificate, or U.S. Citizenship certificate.
Documents that prove the individual's identity, such as passport, I.D. card, or driver's license.
The name change document: a marriage certificate or divorce decree.

Applicants must ensure that they have the required documents and review the instructions for obtaining a corrected card. After the request is processed (usually takes up to 14 working days), the SSA will send a new updated Social Security card that shows the new name. However, the social security number will remain the same.

How to Get a New Driver's License in Oregon

Equipped with a new and updated Social Security card, the individual with the new name must visit the Oregon DMV office to update the name on their driver's license.

The individual must provide the following documents:

A completed application form for driving privileges or identity card. If a commercial driver, complete the Commercial Driver License Application instead.
Documents proving that they reside in Oregon
Proof of legal U.S. presence
Date of birth
Certified copies of legal name change document including marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order
Driver's license fee. Non-commercial Oregon license costs $26 to replace and $40 for a new state I.D. card.
SSN (Social Security Number)

Although this process changes the name on a driver's license, it does not automatically alter the name on a vehicle title. The individual must fill out an Application for Title and Registration to change the name on a vehicle title for an extra fee.

How to Update Your Insurance Information in Oregon

Residents of Oregon are required to purchase basic insurance plans such as health coverage and auto insurance. The acceptable means of updating insurance information depends on the insurance provider's preferences. For example, the Oregon Health Authority instructs that anyone receiving the Oregon health plan who obtains a legal name change must report changes within ten days. The OHA provides a means through which users can report such changes online or by visiting a local office.

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

Aside from changing names after marriage using a marriage license and certificate, other name change actions can be initiated within the state court system by petitioning the state court.

Name change after divorce

When going through a divorce, individuals who intend to go back to their former names can make the name change request to the judge handling the proceedings. After the judge finalizes the divorce with a court order, the divorce decree will reflect the name change and serve as the individual's certified name change document.

Adult/minor name change (without marriage or divorce)

Individuals seeking a name change without marriage or divorce proceedings must file a petition with the court using these basic forms:

More forms may be required, but this varies from county to county. Most county courts will provide the necessary forms on their websites.

The petition must include information such as the petitioner's county of residence, current name, and a new name. The party should also indicate if the form was completed with or without the assistance of another individual. Then, the individual may sign the form to declare that the statements therein are accurate under penalty of perjury. This signature should still reflect the current name because the court is yet to grant the name change request at this point.

On completing the petition form, the next form, the General Judgement for Change of Name, must be completed and filed. In this form, the petitioner must write the current name (first, middle, and last) and proposed name (first, middle, and last). As with the first form, the individual must also indicate if the form was filled with or without assistance. However, the signature line on this form should be left blank because it is reserved for the judge. The judge's signature on this form makes the judgment official and legally binding.

Along with the appropriate filing fees (usually between $100 – $120) and valid photo identification, the completed forms should be filed in the Family Law Division of the county court where the petitioner resides. If the court eventually grants the request for a name change, it enters a judgment into the Register of Actions. It sends the petitioner a Notice of Entry of Judgment as notification that the request was granted.

After being notified, the individual can obtain a certified copy of the judgment from the court clerk.

Name change actions for minors

The process for a minor's name change in Oregon is similar to an adult's. However, a parent or guardian must file the petition on the child's behalf. The significant difference between the adult and minor name change processes is that a minor's name change request requires more forms. These forms deal with obtaining consent from the relevant parties. They include:

Consent from the minor (if the minor is more than fourteen years old and less than eighteen)
Consent from the parents (if the application is submitted by one of the parents or a guardian).

Name change requests are rarely denied in Oregon. They may only be dismissed if the petitioner is requesting the change for any of the following reasons:

To avoid conviction
To commit fraud
To prevent legal or financial responsibilities
If the petitioner is a convicted sex offender

How to Update Information with Oregon Mortgage and Utility Companies

After a legal name change, individuals are advised to change the name on their mortgages. They may also add their spouse's name to the mortgage. The method adopted to update this information depends on the moneylender. Suppose an individual simply wants to alter the name on the mortgage. In that case, the party may obtain a copy of the marriage license, divorce decree, or court order proving the name change, contact the mortgage company, and request information about changing the loan to a new name.

Usually, the company or lender may require a request letter or provide a form to collect information regarding the active mortgage and the new name. Adding a spouse's name might be more complex because it can have financial implications. Some mortgage lenders may even ask the mortgagor to apply for a new mortgage to add someone's name. It is always advisable to contract a real estate attorney for delicate legal processes such as this.

Changing the names on utility bills is simpler. Most times, the utility companies only need to review the individual's proof of identity and billing address. Since the consumer is declaring a new name, the company will typically request a government-issued I.D. bearing the new name and the name change document. If applicable, the company may ask to review the individual's employment status or credit history.

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

The primary documents required for a name change after marriage are the marriage license and its certified copies. Hence, the following are required to obtain the permit and complete a name change after marriage in Oregon:

Marriage license application (One per couple).
A notarized minor consent form. This must be signed by the applicant's father, mother, legal guardian, or custodian if an applicant is not up to 19 years old.
Proof of identity/age, such as a state-issued I.D., valid driver's license, passport, or certified copy of a birth certificate.
Social security numbers of both applicants.
Applicants' parents' names and birthplaces (including their mother's maiden name)
If either applicant has been previously wedded, they must provide the date that the previous marriage ended (court date or date of death).

It is important to remember that the application and consent forms might differ from county to county. Also, a marriage license or certificate will not be issued if either applicant is under 17 years of age.

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

A certified copy of a marriage license in Oregon is the official copy of a marriage license. This document verifies a marriage. Although marriage records in Oregon are public records, certified copies are restricted to individuals and entities that meet the state's requirements.

Usually, the couple receives a certified copy of their marriage license after the ceremony. It is issued by the clerk's office in the county where the marriage was held. However, the Vital Records Office of the Oregon Health Authority also maintains these records. The interested party must submit a written request or download and complete the Marriage Record Order Form to process a request. The form or written request must contain the following information:

The full names of the couple.
The county that provided the marriage license and the issuing date.
The inquirer's full name, contact information, and mailing address.
The relationship between the inquirer and the named individuals.

The requesting party must sign the request and provide a photocopy of a valid government-issued I.D. or another acceptable document. Along with the appropriate fees, the requests may be submitted in person or via mail to:

Oregon Vital Records Office
800 NorthEast Oregon Street
Suite 205
P.O. Box 14050
Portland, OR 97293-0050

Individuals that meet the state's eligibility requirement to access certified copies of marriage licenses include:

The named couple
The couple's parents or legal guardian
Legal representative
Any government entity with legal authority to access the record

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 Oregon

After updating a name change with the SSA, several travel documents with the previous name become invalid. This includes the U.S. passport. As a result, an individual has to restore the passport via the State Department. Upon applying, the department enters the latest information into its database and issues a new passport with the new name.

Depending on the status of the individual's existing passport, the following forms will be required for the update :

Passport correction form (if the individual requests a name change within a year of receiving their current passport).
Passport renewal form (if the passport is still in good condition and was issued within the last 15 years).

These two forms can be mailed in along with the individual's current passport, original or certified name change document, and colored passport photo.

Passport application form (if the individual does not own a valid passport issued within the last 15 years). Unlike the other forms, this one cannot be sent via mail. It has to be hand-delivered to a Passport Acceptance Facility along with:
- A document that proves the applicant's identity, including a photocopy
- A document that proves the applicant's citizenship, including a photocopy
- Applicant's original or certified legal name change document
- A colored passport photo

How to Change your Name on Bank Accounts in Oregon

The method of changing the name of bank accounts is specific to the financial institution. In general, individuals can change the names attached to their bank accounts by visiting or contacting local branches for instructions. Most banks ask for letters or provide forms for this name change process. They also inspect the individual's updated government-issued I.D. and the legal name change document, such as a marriage certificate or divorce decree.

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

Changing one's name after marriage in Oregon occurs once a person receives a marriage certificate. This is because the marriage certificate serves as the individual's proof of name change. It is usually the first indicator of the official new name before the update in relevant government agencies.

In Oregon, when individuals file for a marriage license that authorizes them to get married, they must observe a 3-day waiting period after which they can proceed with the wedding. The waiting period is mandatory to ensure that the couple is convinced of their decision. However, the process can be expedited, and the waiting period waived for an extra fee. Regardless, after the ceremony, the officiant that married the couple must sign the license and return it to the county clerk's office within five days of the ceremony. The certified copy of the license showing the new name is usually presented to the couple within a few days.

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

If a court judge signs the decree that grants a name change request in Oregon, the individual is required to post a notification about the new name for 14 days in the court. After 14 days have passed, the new name becomes official. However, it is not acknowledged by the relevant agencies until the individual informs them of the development. For instance, after a name change, the individual must notify the Oregon DMV within 30 days. The party must also ensure that the SSA is notified of this development within this period.

Overall, the process required to enter a new identity in several government databases may take weeks or even months. Generally, it depends on how soon the relevant agencies are informed of the new name.