How To Change Your Name After Marriage In Jamaica

I wish someone told me sooner about the reality of changing your name after marriage in Jamaica. 

Before getting married no one told me what it would be like to legally change my name. I had no idea what that would entail. And honestly when you’re engaged and planning you already have enough to think about. Who wants to be bothered by the boring reality of learning what it’s like to truly change your name after marriage?

But after the thrill of getting married and planning an exciting wedding subsides if you have decided to change your name after marriage in Jamaica there are a few steps you’ll need to take to make it official.

It is important to note however that a name change after marriage is not compulsory. It is completely up to the couple to decide how they want to proceed in terms of their names. Also, men and women have equal opportunities in the name-changing process. This means a husband can take his wife’s name and vice versa.

If you are a Jamaican national and you do decide to change your name here are four main documents that will require updating:

  1. Driver’s licence
  2. National Insurance Scheme record (NIS)
  3. Tax Registration Number ( TRN)
  4. Passport or National ID

Note: When making these changes your marriage certificate will be required as proof of marriage.

The good thing is there is no order to this document updating process so you can choose whichever document you’d like to work on first. My recommendation would be the NIS because it’s the easiest with the smoothest process.

Related: What I Learnt In My First Year Of Marriage

How to update your name on your NIS card after marriage

To update this document you’ll need to visit the NIS office in your parish. There you will receive a short form where you fill in personal data about yourself, your spouse and your marriage. You’ll need your spouse’s NIS number to fill out this application.

Once complete you will submit this form as a duplicate to your existing NIS record along with a physical copy of your birth certificate or passport. After you’ve submitted your documents you only need to wait about 10-15 minutes before receiving your new NIS card.

Do note that NIS cards do not incur a cost.

NIS Personal Details Change Form

How to update your passport after marriage

This was the first document I changed. It was time for me to renew my passport and so the process followed the usual renewal routine.

And as it happens that’s the only way you can change any particulars on your passport. You need to renew it. Passport renewal costs start at $6,500.00 JMD for adults and can be done at a PICA office nearest you. There you’ll complete the forms and present your marriage certificate as well as two certified passport-sized photos and make payment for your new passport.

Here you’ll have an opportunity to also change your signature so be sure to practice how you’d like that to look.

How to update your TRN after marriage

To get this done you’ll need to visit a local tax office. The tax where you will update your driver’s licence. It would be a good use of time to take a few hours to have these two documents updated at the same time. 

Always remember to take your marriage certificate along with you as proof of marriage and other forms of identification. It may be good to take your birth certificate along too. 

Related: What I Learnt Planning A Wedding In Jamaica

How to update your driver’s licence after marriage

I’ve been waiting out changing my name on my driver’s licence until its expiration date. But like the passport process to change your name on your driver’s licence, you’ll need to submit a new application. 

You can submit your complete application to any tax office in Jamaica. 

Here are the documents you’ll need to update your driver’s licence in jamaica

  • Drivers licence application form
  • 2 passport-sized photographs 
  • Marriage certificate

To start, you’ll need to obtain the application form (F7) for a new driver’s license at any Tax Office or download an electronic version from the Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) website.

Complete the form accordingly with the new name that you are using and is on the supporting documentation that proves your change of name and then take the complete form to a Justice of peace or a Superintendent of police or a member of the attorney to certify the application.

Obtain the rest of the supporting documents and attach them to the complete application form

Pay the relevant updating fee at the tax office and obtain the payment receipt. Upon payment submit the complete application to the Tax Office official at the service desk

Once amended, you will receive your new driver’s license with the updated name.

Other documents to be updated after marriage

Be sure to update any legal documents bearing your name. This should include:

  • utility bills that you have in your new name
  • bank accounts
  • investment accounts

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