How to Change Your Name After Marriage in Illinois

Changing My Name After Marriage In Illinois

After marriage, a partner may decide to keep their name. However, they may choose to take up or hyphenate their spouse's name or come up with a different name. With this decision comes the need to update one's identity on private and public databases.

Since a name change is a legal process, the individual must follow some laid down administrative guidelines in Illinois, starting with obtaining a certified marriage certificate from the County Clerk. If the couple had taken a new name at marriage, the marriage certificate would reflect the new name. Otherwise, the couple must obtain a court order.

Illinois marriage records can be obtained by querying the clerk of courts in the courthouse where the license was issued. These records are critical for processing name change requests as well as related legal processes.

How to Change Your Name After Marriage in Illinois

To change name after marriage in the State of Illinois, the individual will need to take the following steps:

Obtain a certified copy of their marriage certificate in Illinois from the County Clerk's office or obtain a court order.

Visit the Social Security office to make a legal name change
Visit the Driver Services Department to change your last name
Update their passport and travel documents
Change your name with providers and other important documents.
Get a new state-issued ID.

An individual changing their name can take on the process by themselves. Alternatively, they can employ the service of an attorney vast in the experience of family law. However, if they do choose to take on the process by themselves, they will need to know the rudiment of updating their records. Different entities have guidelines and channels to inquire about information when necessary.

How to Update Your Social Security Card in Illinois?

If an individual legally changes their name because of marriage or court order, they must inform the Social Security Administration and get a corrected card. There is no online application for a change of name. However, the office affords the public in-person and mail requests for free. To update a social security card, the individual will need to take the following steps:

Gather and present all the necessary documentation

The individual will need a certified copy of their marriage certificate or the court order changing their name. Then a proof of identity, for example, their old social security card or birth certificate. Sometimes the office may need proof of current US citizenship or lawful noncitizen status.
Complete a formal application

The applicant must download and fill out an Application for a Social Security Card form. The applicant must include their birth name and the married name in the form or name in the court order.
Submitting an application and documents

Upon completing this form, the applicant will need to take the form and a photo ID (driver's license, state-issued ID, or passport) to the local social security office. Alternatively, they can mail the application and all necessary documents in a self-addressed stamped envelope and send it to their local Social Security office. To find the nearest social security office, they can use their zip code. The applicant can use the instructions page on their website or read the instructional pamphlet for more information. For inquiries, call the national helpline on (800) 772-1213 (toll-free) or (800) 325-0778 (TTY).
Receiving the new card

Once the applicant submits their application, the Social Security Administration will review the application. The processing may take up to two to four weeks before they issue a new card.

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

Once they have a new Social Security Card, they can tick the next item on the list – getting a corrected driver's license. The Department of Drivers Services provides these services through the Office of the Illinois Secretary of State. To obtain an updated driver's license, the applicant will have to visit the relevant Secretary of State facility to return the old license. Then they must provide the office with a copy of their acceptable identification.

The applicant applying for a corrected driver's license must present one document from Group A for change of name and another document from Group D if requesting an address change. When the applicant requests a name change, they must provide a valid ID containing the old information. They can provide their birth certificate or any state-issued ID. It cost $5 to obtain a corrected driver's license permit. The processing time may take between seven to ten days.

How to Update Your Insurance Information in Illinois?

The Illinois Department of Insurance regulates registered insurance providers in the state that provides any of its residents the five types of consumer insurance plans. When an individual changes their name, they must contact their insurance provider to update their records. It is important to continue to enjoy the benefits of the policies that will accrue to them before there was a change of name. The individual will fill the relevant change of status form with their insurance provider to change their name.

Note that insurance companies have different methods and times of processing each request. It is advisable to start this application within a reasonable time to allow room for any difficulty they may encounter to reach their insurance provider. To access their insurance provider, they can search using the company profile search maintained by the Illinois Department of Insurance. If they have further questions about updating their new name, they can contact their relevant insurance provider.

Updating insurance information is not limited to only consumers of insurance policies. It also includes independent insurance producers (agents) with a license. To do this, they will need to mail in a request which carries their signature and their National Producer Number (NPN) to

Illinois Department of Insurance
Attn: Licensing Unit
320 W Washington St
Springfield, IL 62767
(312) 814-2420

Their request must also include proof of name change by submitting

a copy of their marriage license or court order; and
a copy of their driver's license showing their new name.

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

An interested person who wishes to change their name may visit the Circuit Court in the county of residence. To be eligible to change their name, the applicant must be at least 18 years old and must have lived in Illinois for at least six months before filing. The applicant will need to file the following:

Request for Name Change form.

The Court relies on this information to know if the person can change their name. A person known to the applicant must sign the form. An applicant with a valid marriage certificate will not need to file a Request for Name Change
A Publication Notice of Court Date for Request for Name Change form.

The publication is to be in the newspaper for three weeks. However, an applicant can file a Motion to Waive Notice & Publication form if the publication will put them at risk. The Court will issue an Order on Motion to Waive Notice & Publication if they deny or grant the application to waive. If there is a publication, the applicant must get a certificate of publication from the newspaper and file it also in Court.

The applicant must electronically file (e-file) court documents unless the person is in jail or has a disability. To e-file, the applicant will create an account with an e-filing service provider. Alternatively, they can take their forms to the Circuit Clerk's office to use the public computer terminal to e-file their forms (see the court directory). All petitioners must schedule a court date or inquire if the Court assigns automatically. On the court date, the applicant must go with the following documents:

Photo ID.
Stamped copies of the necessary forms the applicant files with the Court.
Proposed Order for Name Change.
Judgment for Dissolution of Marriage or Declaration of Invalidity of Marriage (if it applies).
Former inmates must show proof of release for the past ten years.

The judge will either grant or deny the request by issuing an Order for Name Change which must contain the judge's signature. If the Court grants the request, the applicant can get certified copies of the order from the Circuit Court Clerk. A certified copy is necessary when applying for a name change on all other official records.

It is important to note that the following cannot change their name in Illinois:

Any offender that is yet to get a pardon or finish their sentence less than ten years
Class 4 felony cannabis convictions under the Cannabis Control Act, 720 ILCS 550/4 or 550/5. An offense of identity theft or aggravated identity theft and the Court is yet to grant a pardon.
Felony or misdemeanor involving criminal sexual abuse of a minor. Any other offense that requires the offender to register as a sex offender and the Court is yet to grant a pardon.

How to Update Information with Illinois Mortgage and Utility Companies?

When a homeowner changes their name, they may update the information on the mortgage deed. To do this, such individuals will need to contact their relevant mortgage company. These companies may accept updating the name via telephone, while some require completing certain forms during an in-person visit to their office. Some companies can update the name on the phone, while others require a name change form. Contact the relevant mortgage provider for the necessary steps to take to reflect the new legal name.

Apart from mortgage companies, different utility companies register with the Illinois Commerce Commission ICC. These utility companies provide access to amenities like energy, water, sewer, transportation, telecommunications services in Illinois. When an individual changes their name, they must ensure they notify all utility companies giving them services. For instance, they can explain the situation: "I recently got married and wish to update my name on the utility bill." Each company makes its procedure to handle this request, so contact the relevant utility company for more information. ICC maintains an online utility company database to aid the search for the appropriate company.

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

A person who wishes to make a name change after marriage must have the following:

Certified marriage certificate
Old identification documents in the applicant's possession
A new proof of identification ( social security card, driver's license, state ID, or passport)
Proof of age (adoption certificate, hospital record, or birth certificate)

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

The Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Records does not maintain marriage certificates. To get certified copies, the requester must visit the appropriate County Clerk's office where the marriage took place. For instance, to request a marriage certificate in Cook County, visit the Cook County Clerk's office at any of the six Clerk's locations. It cost $15 for a certified marriage certificate and $4 for each additional copy.

Alternatively, complete and send a Marriage Certificate Request Form and a photocopy of their photo identification in a self-addressed envelope to

Cook County Clerk's Office
Bureau of Vital Records
P.O. Box 641070
Chicago, IL 60664-1070

The requester must also include a photocopy of their check or money order payable to the Cook County Clerk. The applicant must ensure they include their phone number in the mail request. Also, they can request by contacting the Toll-Free line at (866) 252-8974.

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 Illinois?

When an individual in Illinois changes their name, they must also apply for a new US passport. Request for a new passport or passport renewal is through the US Department of State. To get a new passport after a name change, there is an instruction to follow and the Department guidelines for this purpose. The applicant must then download and complete the application form. The following document must accompany the application

The most recent US passport
Certified marriage certificate or court decree
One-color passport photo (see requirements for acceptable photos)
The applicant will send the application form and other documents in a self-addressed stamped envelope via USPS, UPS, FedEx, or DHL.

The Department processes the request for about ten (10) to twelve (12) weeks. The applicant may, however, opt for expedited service if they qualify. While awaiting the new passport, the applicant can use their PAN card, state ID card, and social security card as travel documents. They can use these documents to travel to only domestic states, Canada, Mexico, US territories, and closed-loop cruises. They will also require their certified birth certificate as further proof of citizenship for reentry.

How to Change Your Name on Bank Accounts in Illinois?

Individuals can change their name on their bank accounts once the Court grants the change of name order. Also, they must have their new social security card and a driver's license. The individual may take the following steps:

The individual will need to contact their financial institution or visit their local branch in their county.
They will need to provide the bank with their certified marriage certificate, the court order, the new driver's license, and their new social security card. The list of documents to bring along will depend on the particulars the individual possesses with the bank.
Inform the customer care representative of their intention to change their name.
When the bank has duly updated their account information, the individual will be issued a new credit or debit card reflecting the new name.

If the individual has automatic billing and subscription payment, they will need to contact the financial institution providing these services to update their information. With this information, the relevant financial institution will update their online billing profile. Some of these institutions maintain online databases that may allow them to update their billing information online. Contact the relevant financial institution for more information on how to update their name.

Once the bank updates the account details with the new name, an employee must forward the new banking information to their employer. They will need to complete a new Form W-4. It is compulsory to complete this form to avoid problems with their taxes, as explained by the Internal Revenue Service.

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recommends updating name changes by filing the new Form I-9 (re-verification). To do this, the individual will need to:

State the original hire date in Section 2
Attach the old form
A written explanation for the change
A copy of the certified marriage certificate or court decree.

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

When an individual requests a change of name, the processing time and hearing at the Court will depend on so many factors. However, it takes at least eight weeks to process a request for a change of name to reflect on their marriage certificate in Illinois. Other government agencies' processing times may differ. For more information contact the relevant government agency.

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

The whole process, even though not that complex, will take a considerable amount of time. Each government agency that requires an update on the individual's information has varying processing times. For instance, the Department of Drivers Services processes applications for a corrected driver's license within seven to ten days. In contrast, the Social Security office may take up to four months to issue a new social security card.