A How-To Guide for Changing Your Name In Hawai‘i
Photo by Jacquelin Brooks
How the heck do I do this?
Every state is different, so trying to find out the process in Hawai‘i was nothing short of a part time job. After going through all of the googling and site searching on the state and federal pages, I did it with some sweat and tears shed, but nonetheless I did it! And no, it didn’t involve purchasing for a vendor to complete it either. I ran into those services that will do this for you, but I didn’t want to put my legal name change in the hands of someone else to do. Just my preference.
I put all of what I went through to be a support for anyone else who is starting this process. After all of the wedding festivities was said and done, this wasn’t the funnest thing for me to embark upon. I hope what I learned helps you and lets you spend time with the one you just married instead of researching and trying to figure it all out on your precious weekend time.
Before you start the process, breathe, give yourself some grace, and know that you’re about to make it happen! You got this!
Let’s Navigate…
The Marriage License
The Marriage Certificate
Social Security Card
Drivers License
Passport
Other Places To Think About Updating
The Marriage License
Before you get married, you’ll need a marriage license - a license to marry (not kidding). You’ll need this approved by the State Department of Health (DOH) so you can proceed with having your wedding within 30 days of approval by your certified officiant. Visit the vital records site here if you’re reading this before your wedding day.
Now you’ve gotten married, what happens? Your officiant will need to sign and complete their officiant portion. Our officiant did his portion online. Your DOH vital records status gets updated as completed and your certified marriage certificate will get mailed to you.
The Marriage Certificate
It’s one certified copy that you receive via mail once your officiant has signed and completed their portion of the Department of Health’s (DOH) requirement for marriages in Hawai‘i. You’ll know once they’ve done so because you’ll get a confirmation email notifying you they’ve done so. You’ll need to order certified copies to have for your records and also to provide in the rest of the name change process. Try and do this the week after your wedding because DOH has a backup of 8-10 weeks to get your marriage certificates to you. My certified copies came on the later end of 10 weeks. They do caution you of this wait so just heed the warning.
New Social Security Card
Now that you have your certified marriage certificate, you can get a new Social Security card (yay haha). You’ll need to do this first before trying to update your driver’s license because the DMV will require your social security card. I told you it’s a process.
Go to the social security site. Click on “Answer a few questions”. You’ll be taken through a series of questions and then it should prompt you to proceed with an online application for the name change due to marriage.
At the end, you'll be given a confirmation page that you've successfully submitted your application which should have a number on it. You have 45 days from submission of your application to go to the social security administration building and come in to present them with your certified marriage certificate and drivers license. The hours are limited to Monday-Friday until 3:30pm with Wednesdays closing by 11:30am which isn’t a great timeframe if you’re working and have a short window of a lunch break.
Once you get to the administration building, you’ll have to go to the kiosk where you’ll answer questions to sort your purpose of visit. You can then enter your application number there. Once completed, the kiosk will give you a number and then you’ll have to take a seat until your number is called. Make sure you stay close to hear your number and also get up quickly to answer to the representative at a nearby window because I saw a few people get their numbers called and then passed.
It was kind of a busy day when I went in so my number got called and then I had to walk to a back hall to get helped. This part goes fast if you bring your certified marriage certificate and application. They’ll ask you a few questions and have you swear and sign your information is accurate. Then you’re done and your new social security card will come in the mail within two weeks! Phew!
Drivers License Name Change
By now, you’ve said your “I do’s”, received that precious piece of paper certifying your marriage, and gotten a new social security card from the feds. Now it’s time to get a new drivers license. Before you prepare for the dreaded photo op, you’ll need to make sure you complete an application in advance.
There’s a lot of different pages and site references that will lead you on a scavenger hunt trying to find the application you need to complete. I’ve saved you the hassle my friend. Download the application here. Once you have your application ready, you’ll need to also bring acceptable required documents with you. This of course includes your certified certificate of marriage, your new social security card, your current drivers license, and you’ll need other identification as well. I brought my passport and my insurance card as well. Be sure to check their guide to see if your documents will be accepted.
When you’re ready, the DMV has an online system to make an appointment. Be sure to make the appointment for a DMV location that will be able to complete a name change. I went to the downtown location and as soon as you walk in, you’re met with someone who will ask you if you have an appointment and the reasoning, and once you say it’s for a name change, they’ll ask you for your application. I actually appreciated the efficiency of this to keep the lines moving. Be ready when get to the door.
Passport Update
If you’re planning on traveling for your honeymoon right after your wedding, you don’t need to have it all done right away. Relax and enjoy the honeymoon, friend. Just make sure that your flight ticket booked matches what you have on your current identification for travel.
If you’re back from your honeymoon or you guys have decided to save this for later, and have your name changed legally, then it’s time for the passport to be updated. Even if it’s not expired, your passport has to reflect your legal name.
Check first for eligibility purposes, if you can renew online and via mail or if you’ll have to complete in person. I was eligible to renew online, so here’s my experience from this process. You’ll go through the guided online application of the DS-82 form. Be sure to have your current passport and if applicable, passport card handy to complete the form. Aside from this, the government site actually has an instructional page on each step from there. Scroll down to ‘Steps to Renew’. Currently in the near completion of this process, so if there’s complications, I’ll gather the obstacles and steps into another article to save you from the hassle. Praying we don’t see any obstacles though.
Other Places To Think About Updating Your Name
You’ll start to realize all the places where your name is and how sometimes obnoxious it can be to change it.
Your Workplace
This will be top of mind if you work for a company and took time off to get married. Your coworkers will probably be asking about your wedding and if you’re updating your name or not. Easy things to change first at your workplace are any internal communication places — instant messaging platforms, online meeting spaces like Teams or Zoom, and emails.
Your work email might have to involve both HR and your IT department so you should do this after addressing your new name to HR first. Until then, an easy place to make your new name known in emails is in your email signature. This will make it an easier transition for your work peers and clients in addressing you or updating any business documents. It can be something like “First and New Last Name (formerly Maiden Name)”.
You should reach out to HR after you get your new Social Security card in the mail. For tax purposes, your employer will need to have this updated on your employee documents. If you have insurance through your work, then once HR makes their update, your name should be updated with your insurance. Check with your health insurance on how you can get your new insurance card. Since I have HMSA, I went through the member portal and was able to request online. I got the new card mailed in two weeks.
Banking/Financial Institutions
If you work for a company and have direct deposit with them, make sure that you update your name with your bank first before your employer. HR told me with previous employees they ran into a delay because they changed their name at work but not their bank. I did my update to my banking two weeks before the next pay period so the change had time to take place.
You’ll need your certified marriage certificate and drivers license to give in person for your bank to update their system on their end. From there, you can request for a new banking card as well.
Social Accounts
Probably low on the totem pole in terms of priority but the easiest to change are your social media accounts. This was fun for me to update after our wedding. Just felt like a nice cherry on top moment to make my married name known.