Name Change Order, Birth Certificates, Marriage Certificates, and the need for an Apostille.

 

Name Change Orders, Birth Certificates, Marriage Certificates and the need for an Apostille 

Today many Americans are seeking dual citizenship with European countries that are part of the European Union  (EU). Many Americans can derive Citizenship from EU countries from their foreign born parents or grandparents.  Among other reasons, some Americans do this to be able to obtain an EU passport.   An EU passport is a passport issued by one of the 27 member states of the European Union which allows travel visa-free between all EU countries, and to a large number of third-countries the EU has bilateral agreements with.

To obtain dual Citizenship with an EU country, Americans must demonstrate their relationship to their foreign born parents or foreign born grandparents who were born in an EU country.  To demonstrate relationship to a family member born abroad in an EU country like Italy or Ireland for example,  the person attempting to acquire European citizenship would have to provide birth certificates, and in some cases,  marriage certificates and name change orders.  

In most cases, foreign countries will not accept American birth certificates, marriage certificates and name change orders without an Apostille.   Apostilles authenticate the seals and signatures of officials on these public documents. 

The authentication certifies the signature and capacity of the official who executed the document. The New York Secretary of State authenticates public documents with the Apostille for use in foreign countries which is issued pursuant to the 1961 International Hague Convention by treaty with Hague Convention member countries. 

 The documents in question must be public documents issued in New York State and signed by a notary public, a County Clerk, or a State official. The necessity for an apostille is determined by the foreign country or destination. 

The Law Office of Christopher Tompkins can assist you with obtaining an Apostille for a birth certificate, marriage certificate, and name change order. 

Christopher Tompkins is an Attorney that has been handling Legal Name Change Matters for over 20 years in New York City, Long Island, and Westchester. Contact him at 212 962-5363. Email:  NameChangeLawyer@gmail.com.    Visit his website at http://www.ny-legal-name-change-lawyer.com/

No Longer a Name Change Publishing Requirement But Service of the Name Change Order on Government Agencies May Still Be Required.

No Longer a Name Change Publishing Requirement But Service of the Name Change Order on Government Agencies May Still Be Required. 

As of December 31, 2021, there is no longer a name change publishing requirement of the name change order in the Courts of the City and State of New York.   However, obligations to serve a copy of a name change order on government agencies still remain in the discretion of the judge.  Examples of government agencies which may have to be served with a copy of the name change order are the Support Collections Unit if you have a child support obligation, Criminal Justice Services if you have a criminal record, the US Bankruptcy Court if you have filed bankruptcy, and an adversary that has a judgement or a pending lawsuit with you.  

Christopher Tompkins is an Attorney that has been handling Legal Name Change Matters for over 20 years in New York City, Long Island, and Westchester. Contact him at 212 962-5363. Email:  NameChangeLawyer@gmail.com.    Visit his website at http://www.ny-legal-name-change-lawyer.com/

Name Change and Enhanced Driver Licenses in New York

You may have a problem getting an enhanced driver license if your name on your birth certificate does not match your current driver license. 

Beginning on October 1, 2020, the federal government will require your driver license, permit or ID card to be REAL ID compliant if you wish to use it as identification to board a domestic flight (within the U.S.), or enter military bases and certain federal facilities.

• If the name on your license, permit, or non-driver ID application does not match the name on your identity, lawful status, and social security proofs you must bring in court or government issued proof(s) documenting the event(s) causing your name change(s) such as a marriage license(s), divorce decree(s), adoption, or court order document(s). 

• Proof of identity, such as valid license, birth certificate or passport, with your full first, middle (if applicable) and last name. This name, as it appears on your proof of identity, will be displayed on your card as required by federal law

• To learn more visit https://dmv.ny.gov/which-id-right-me

Christopher Tompkins is an Attorney that has been handling Legal Name Change Matters for over 20 years in New York City  and Long Island. Contact him at 212 962-5363. Email:  NameChangeLawyer@gmail.com.    Visit his website at http://www.ny-legal-name-change-lawyer.com/

Changing Your Name in NY by Removing a Name

Changing Your Name in NY by Removing a Name

You can change your name in NY by removing a name.   Here is an example.  Your name is Mary Alice Jones and you want to remove the first name, "Mary".    So the result would be:

Alice Jones

In most cases, a judge will have no objection to you removing a name so long as you are not changing the name to avoid a creditor or to avoid a support obligation. 

Christopher Tompkins is an Attorney that has been handling Legal Name Change Matters for over 20 years in New York City  and Long Island. Contact him at 212 962-5363. Email:  NameChangeLawyer@gmail.com.    Visit his website at http://www.ny-legal-name-change-lawyer.com/

Changing Your Last Name in NY by Adding a Name

Changing Your Last Name in New York by Adding a Name

You can change your last name in NY by adding a name.   Here are some examples.  Your name is Mary and you want to add the name, "Jones", to your last name, "Smith".  You can add "Jones" after "Smith" or before "Smith" and you can add a hyphen between the two names, if you choose.  So the result could be:

Mary Smith Jones
Mary Jones Smith
Mary Smith-Jones
Mary Jones-Smith

In most cases, a judge will have no objection to you adding a name to your last name so long as you are not changing the name to avoid a creditor or to avoid a support obligation. 

Christopher Tompkins is an Attorney that has been handling Legal Name Change Matters for over 20 years in New York City  and Long Island. Contact him at 212 962-5363. Email:  NameChangeLawyer@gmail.com.    Visit his website at http://www.ny-legal-name-change-lawyer.com/

How to Legally Change Your Name in NY

The video below shows you what documents you need to legally change your name.  

Christopher Tompkins is an Attorney that has been handling Legal Name Change Matters for over 20 years in New York City  and Long Island. Contact him at 212 962-5363. Email:  NameChangeLawyer@gmail.com.    Visit his website at http://www.ny-legal-name-change-lawyer.com/

Transgender Name Changes in New York City

Transgender Name Changes in New York City

What documents are needed to do a transgender name change?

Christopher Tompkins is an Attorney that has been handling Legal Name Change Matters for over 20 years in New York City. Contact him at 212 962-5363. Email:  NameChangeLawyer@gmail.com.    Visit his website at http://www.ny-legal-name-change-lawyer.com/

To legally change your name in any of the five boroughs of New York City, you need a petition for name change, a proposed order, a birth certificate, photo identification, and proof of your address.

In Transgender cases, it is recommended,          (although not legally required) to provide the court with a letter or medical record from a medical doctor or psychiatrist indicating that one is being treated for gender identity and/or gender transition.   This helps the court make a favorable decision expeditiously without concerns of fraud. 

When the name change order is signed by the judge it is conditional until a notice within the order has been published in a newspaper that the judge will designate. The order does not become a permanent order until proof of publication of a notice of the name change is filed. Proof of publication is the form of an affidavit that is prepared by the newspaper employee that published the name change notice that is contained in the order.

 Upon request, some judges will waive the publication requirement for privacy reasons.  

Once you have filed proof of publication or if publication is waived, you may obtain certified copies of the order for $6.00. You can take the certified copy of the order to your local Department of Motor Vehicles office, Social Security Office, and/or Passport office to provide proof of your name change. 

Christopher Tompkins is an Attorney that has been handling Legal Name Change Matters for over 20 years in New York City.   Contact him at 212 962-5363. Email:  NameChangeLawyer@gmail.com.