Change Your Name in Iowa

If you need to change your name for whatever reason, it helps to be prepared. Make sure you have all the needed forms and documents before you try to file a name change with any government agency. While several counties offer electronic filing services, others don't, so be sure to check with your county's specific paperwork requirements. Once you've filed a name change with the county, don't forget to update your name on other important documents.

Steps

Changing Your Name When You Get Married

  1. Get your marriage license. Find your local marriage license office through the county recorder. You'll need to apply for the marriage license in person before the marriage. Make sure you have 1 witness who's over 18 years old to come with you. To apply for your license, you'll need to:
    • Be at least 18 years old
    • Show picture identification
    • Give social security information
    • Pay $30 in cash
    • Show date of divorce or spouse's death, if you were married before
    • Wait 3 business days after applying before receiving your license
  2. Fill out the marriage license. Once you've gotten your marriage license and are married, make sure the license is signed by an ordained or licensed officiant or justice of the peace. You, your spouse, and witnesses will all also need to sign the license. This is the first legal document you'll need to get in order to change your name, so keep any copies you're given after you initially submit your marriage license.
    • In most counties, your officiant or justice of the peace will need to officially file the license with the county. At this point, you'll usually be given copies of the completed license.
  3. Get replacement copies of your marriage license. If you need a replacement certified copy, go to the county clerk's office where you picked up your marriage licence application and request a copy of the marriage license after your marriage. You can also get state certified copies of the license from the Bureau of Health Statistics. You'll need to show government-issued identification and can usually pick up the copy the next day.
    • If you can't get the copy in person, call the Bureau of Health Statistics. You'll need to provide personal information and pay $33 as a processing fee and to verify your identity. You should get your copy in the mail within 2 weeks.
  4. Go to the Social Security Office. From there you can pick up and fill out the Official Form SS-5. You'll need to show the certified copy of your marriage license, which includes your old and new names.[1] If it's been more than 2 years since your marriage, you may need to give other documents proving your old name.[2] Once you've shown documentation of your new legal name, fill out an application for a new Social Security card.
    • There's no fee to apply for a new card and you should get it in the mail within 10 business days.
  5. Update your driver's license at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). You must change your name in person at a DMV office. After paying the $10 fee, you'll need to show a document that proves your name change, like your marriage certificate or updated Social Security Card. You must show the original document. Photocopies or faxed documents can't be used.[3] You can also show these documents:
    • U.S. passport
    • Certified copy of a birth certificate
    • Certificate of Naturalization
    • Certificate of Citizenship
  6. Change your name on other documents. After you change your federal and state issued IDs, you need to change your name on your other important accounts and documents. Don't forget to change your name at businesses you frequently work with, including any medical/dental files, or post office boxes. Examples of accounts you'll need to update include:
    • Bank accounts
    • Credit cards
    • Leases, mortgages, or loans
    • Car titles
    • Passport
    • Voter registration
    • Utility services

Changing Your Name After Divorce

  1. Change your name during a pending divorce. If you're currently going through a divorce, you have the option to make your name change part of the proceedings. But, you can only change your name back to the name on your birth certificate or the name you had right before your marriage.[4] If you'd like to have a completely different name, you'll need to fill out separate paperwork.
    • Usually, this is a good option for someone wanting to go back to using a maiden name.[5]
  2. Change your name after a divorce. You'll need to file a name change petition in a district court. The form (Petition for Change of Name) can be found on the Judicial Branch's website.[6] Fill out the form and attach a certified copy of your birth certificate. You'll also need to pay a filing fee of $185 and file it with the district court clerk. Realize that you can only change your name by petition once, unless you can convince the judge of a very good reason. Include the following information:[7][8]
    • Your current name
    • Your description, including height, weight, hair and eye color, race, sex, place and date of birth
    • Where you lived for the past five years
    • Why you'd like to change your name
    • A legal description of all real estate you own in Iowa or in which you have any legal interest
    • The new name you want
  3. Go to the Social Security Office. From there you can pick up and fill out the Official Form SS-5. You'll need to show your divorce decree, which includes your old and new names.[9] If it's been more than 2 years since your divorce, you may need to give other documents proving your old name.[10] Once you've shown documentation of your new legal name, fill out an application for a new Social Security card.
    • There's no fee to apply for a new card and you should get it in the mail within 10 business days.
  4. Update your driver's license at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). You must change your name in person at a DMV office. After paying the $10 fee, you'll need to show a document that proves your name change, like divorce decree or decree of annulment. You must show the original document. Photocopies or faxed documents can't be used.[11]
    • Any court document you use has to show your old name in its entirety, your new full legal name, and your birth date. It must be stamped with an official court seal.
  5. Change your name on other documents. After you change your federal and state issued IDs, you need to change your name on your other important accounts and documents. Don't forget to change your name at businesses you frequently work with, including any medical/dental files, or post office boxes. Examples of accounts you'll need to update include:
    • Bank accounts
    • Credit cards
    • Leases, mortgages, or loans
    • Car titles
    • Passport
    • Voter registration
    • Utility services

Changing Your Name for Other Reasons

  1. Determine if your name change is for a valid reason. Even if you aren't changing your name because of marriage or divorce, there are plenty of reasons you might want to change your name. You can change your name if you don't like it, for religious reasons, to reflect your new gender, or to create a combined name.[12] Invalid reasons include:[13]
    • Changing your name to avoid legal judgements, debts, or obligations
    • Changing your name to defraud someone else
    • Changing your name to hide from the law or police
  2. Get a certified copy of your birth certificate. If you were born in Iowa, you can get a certified copy from the Iowa Department of Public Health, Bureau of Health Statistics. You'll have to pay $20 and it may take up to 6 weeks before you get it in the mail.
    • If you were born in another state, contact the government agency in that state that maintains the vital records. If you're not sure which agency to contact, check with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They keep a list of agencies tracking vital statistics.[14]
  3. Fill out the petition for Change of Name form. You can find the form online or at the county clerk's office. Most counties will allow you to file the form online, but check to see if your county accepts e-filing. You'll need to provide basic information, including:
    • Your current name
    • Your description, including height, weight, hair and eye color, race, sex, place and date of birth
    • Where you lived for the past five years
    • Why you'd like to change your name
    • A legal description of all real estate you own in Iowa or in which you have any legal interest
    • The new name you want
    • Your marital status
      • You'll also need to attach the certified copy of your birth certificate when you file the form. If you don't have one, you can submit identification given by the U.S. Department of Immigration and Naturalization Service.
  4. Fill out an Acceptance of Service form and give it to your spouse, if you're married. This legally informs your spouse that you're changing your name. You can work with a lawyer to create a document that notifies your spouse of the change. Your spouse will need to sign the document so you can file it along with your Change of Name form.[15]
    • If you're not married, this does not apply to you. The form only serves to legally tell your spouse that your name is changing.
  5. Pay the fee and wait for the decision. You'll need to pay a $185 processing fee when you submit your application. You'll be informed of the state's decision 30 days after you submit your application.
  6. Learn what to do if your petition is denied. If the court doesn't accept your petition for a name change, understand the reason why you may have been refused. Courts can deny name changes for a number of reasons, including:[16]
    • Changing your name to avoid legal judgements, debts, or obligations
    • Changing your name to defraud someone else
    • Changing your name to hide from the law or police[17]

Changing the Name of a Minor

  1. Change the minor's name as part of a divorce. If you and your spouse are divorcing, make the minor's name change part of the legal proceedings. Your lawyer will be able to advise you about the necessary steps, but this way, you won't need to file a separate petition or form.[18]
    • You may still need to change the minor's birth certificate to reflect the new name. Ask your lawyer if any forms are needed to complete this separately or if it's included in the divorce proceedings.
  2. Change the minor's name by filing a petition. If you'd like to change a minor's name, but aren't going through custody or divorce proceedings, file a petition with the district court clerk. You'll need to pay $185 and fill out a form that includes this information:[19]
    • The minor's current name
    • The address and county where the minor lives
    • The new name
    • The petitioner's name and relationship to the minor
    • A description of the child that includes height, weight, hair and eye color, race, sex, place and date of birth
    • Every place the child has lived since birth
    • A brief statement of the reason for the name change request.
    • Attach a certified copy of the minor's birth certificate.
  3. Get consent. You'll need to get the minor's written consent if he's over 14 years old. If the minor is under 14, both parents that are listed on the minor's birth certificate have to consent in writing. If one parent consents while the other doesn't, a hearing will be called.[20]
    • The court may decide that it doesn't need both parents' consent if a parent has abandoned the minor, a parent hasn't supported or financially assisted the minor, or if the parent no longer objects to the name change.[21]

Tips

  • The name change decree is your official certificate for your new name. Keep it in a safe and secure location.
  • Most of these steps require that you are at least 18 years of age.

Related Articles

References

  1. ↑ http://www.socialsecurityeasy.com/social-security-office/ia
  2. ↑ http://www.socialsecurity.gov/forms/ss-5.pdf
  3. ↑ http://www.iowadot.gov/mvd/driverslicense/changes.htm
  4. ↑ http://www.iowalegalaid.org/resource/changing-your-name-in-iowa?ref=5jLJ7
  5. ↑ http://www.iowalegalaid.org/resource/changing-your-name-in-iowa?ref=5jLJ7
  6. ↑ www.iowacourts.gov/For_the_Public/Representing_Yourself_in_Court/Name_Change/
  7. ↑ http://www.iowalegalaid.org/resource/changing-your-name-in-iowa?ref=5jLJ7
  8. ↑ http://www.iowacourts.gov/For_the_Public/Representing_Yourself_in_Court/Name_Change/
  9. ↑ http://www.socialsecurityeasy.com/social-security-office/ia
  10. ↑ http://www.socialsecurity.gov/forms/ss-5.pdf
  11. ↑ http://www.iowadot.gov/mvd/driverslicense/changes.htm
  12. ↑ https://www.legalzoom.com/articles/top-10-reasons-people-change-their-names
  13. ↑ https://www.legalzoom.com/knowledge/name-change/faq/name-change-petition-denials
  14. ↑ http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/w2w.htm
  15. ↑ http://www.iowalegalaid.org/resource/what-is-notice-and-how-is-it-done?ref=QHsnT
  16. ↑ https://www.legalzoom.com/knowledge/name-change/faq/name-change-petition-denials
  17. ↑ http://www.courts.ca.gov/1054.htm#acc3161
  18. ↑ http://www.iowalegalaid.org/resource/changing-your-name-in-iowa?ref=j6Spa
  19. ↑ http://www.iowalegalaid.org/resource/changing-your-name-in-iowa?ref=j6Spa
  20. ↑ http://www.iowalegalaid.org/resource/changing-your-name-in-iowa?ref=j6Spa
  21. ↑ http://www.iowalegalaid.org/resource/changing-your-name-in-iowa?ref=j6Spa
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