Re: Spouse and I Made Up a New Last Name, but Mine's Not Quite Legal
Okay, so say I file a petition for a court ordered name change. I currently have NO documentation that identifies me by my previous name. Social security card, driver's license, nursing license: everything is under my husband's legal name (which I thought was also legally mine). So where does THAT leave me?
Re: Spouse and I Made Up a New Last Name, but Mine's Not Quite Legal
Re: Spouse and I Made Up a New Last Name, but Mine's Not Quite Legal
Did you PHYSICALLY GO TO the State Department office or did you talk to a CSR on the phone?
Re: Spouse and I Made Up a New Last Name, but Mine's Not Quite Legal
Quote:
Wisconsin recognizes the common law right to change one's name through consistent and continuous use as long as the change is not effected for a fraudulent purpose. State v. Hansford,219 Wis. 2d 226, 580 N.W.2d 171 (1998), 97-0885
Quote:
Present IdentificationWhen applying for a U.S. passport in person, acceptable
identification must be presented
at the time of application.
| Primary Identification (One of the following): |
Current, undamaged U.S. passport
Recently issued Naturalization Certificate
Valid Driver's License
Current Government ID (city, state or federal)
Current Military ID (military and dependents) |
NOTES:
- If you cannot submit primary identification, please see secondary identification
- If you apply at an Acceptance Facility and submit out-of-state primary identification, you must present an additional ID document, as well. For example, if you apply in Maryland with a Virginia Driver's License, you must present a second ID containing as much of the following information as possible: your photo, full name, date of birth and the document issuance date.
- If you have undergone or are going through gender transition, please see these additional requirements
the second quote is from the state department. Take note where is says primary identification; it says ONE.
It appears the name on your driver's license is your legal name.
Re: Spouse and I Made Up a New Last Name, but Mine's Not Quite Legal
okay, i'll try proceeding with my current documentation. Thanks for the feedback.
- - - Updated - - -
If anyone's interested, here's where we've landed: I spoke with the passport specialist at my county Clerk of Court. It sounds like I will be able to get a passport under my (not quite legally) assumed name given the fact I've been using it for more than 5 years, as long as I provide up to three public record documents with my name and another identifier (DOB/SSN). So presumably my state-issued ID, employment or school records, and signed affidavits from two people who've known me under both names will be sufficient under Wisconsin law to obtain a passport. Whew.
Re: Spouse and I Made Up a New Last Name, but Mine's Not Quite Legal
Sounds about right. Thanks for getting back to us. :)
It's nice to know the final resolution and we seldom do.
Re: Spouse and I Made Up a New Last Name, but Mine's Not Quite Legal
This was an interesting case, thanks for following up.