So I've been married a for a while now, and last month I finally changed my name! I had seriously been dreading this, but it was fairly easy. Here's a quick overview on what you need to do, but still check with your state laws for any differences or further actions you may be required to do.
First stop: Make sure you have your certified marriage liense, whether it's mailed to you or you have to pick it up from your county records department. This shows as proof that you're married and what your new name will be.
Next is changing your Social Security Administration and the DMV. It's best if you can make an appointment, the earlier the better! I was in an out of both Social Security and the DMV each after only 20 minutes. I couldn't believe my luck, I thought I'd be there for half my day at least.
The Social Security Administration's website is fairly user-friendly and your new card will be free! Yay!
The DMV will require you to take a new photo, so come prepared with good hair and some lipgloss. There also is a fee for your ID (in CA it's $25) and they will punch a hole in your current ID and give you paperwork as a temporary ID. Because of this, some restaurants, bars, travel places, etc can be sticklers about temporary IDs, so if you have something special planned in the next week, wait to do this step.
Now you're legally set! You'll have a new name on state records. Oh, but you're not done yet! You can't forget to update a few more items:
-bank information (this took me 45 minutes): all of your accounts and any credit cards will need to be changed
-passport: if your passport was issued within a year of your name change it will be updated free of charge, otherwise you need to pay for it again
-work: your paychecks, business cards, and work email will need to be changed
-Post Office
-bills
-voter registration
-insurance policies
-magazine subscriptions
There's still a few items I need to update (all of my magazine subscriptions), but I'm all set. Both SSA and the DMV said it would be a few weeks before I received my new cards/IDs, but I received them the next week. My biggest tips in changing your information would be to try and get it all done in one day, make your appointments or go to the establishments as early as possible, and bring some water and something to read in the likely chance you have to wait.
That's it ladies! Have you guys changed your name, what was your experience? Do you plan on changing your name after marriage? See my feelings about that here.
8 comments :
I got married in June and I changed my name about a week or so after the wedding with the social security office. Just a few days ago, I got a new driver's license. In KY, it is $12. What's a temporary id? I just gave them my old one, and took a pic and received the new one within a few minutes. My next stop is the bank and passport. I heard from someone if you change your name within a year than they will change it on your passport for free. I haven't checked into it though.
Great recommendations! This really would have come in handy for me a few years ago. I managed to change everything, but forgot to change my maiden name on our mortgage...two years later....still under maiden name. Oops.
It took me about 6 mo. to muster up the energy to deal with this. It was such a long and laborious process! I threatened to keep my maiden name several times throughout this pain in my butt. The passport was the biggest pain (and priciest!).
I am so excited to change my name, and totally dreading it too! You make it seem a little less scary. :)
having just gotten married a few weeks ago, i'm waiting til after the honeymoon in 2 weeks to change my name. all my travel documents were booked with my maiden name (passport is that too) so i guess i'll go through the process once we're back.
for work, however, i think i'm keeping my maiden name. all my records will have my married name, but emails and what people call me and my business cards will have my maiden name. maybe down the line i'll eventually change it, but for now keeping it makes the most sense.
You were mentioned and tagged in my most recent blog post! : ) I hope you enjoy!
Yay! It'll take a while to get used to, but it's such an amazing feeling to be Mrs. His-Last-Name! I changed my name right after the honeymoon on my social security card and drivers license. Changing all my credit cards was annoying though, and last but certainly not least I finally changed my passport a few months ago since we were going on a cruise. I'm so happy to say I'm finally all done!
http://peridotkutie.blogspot.com/
I was really excited to change my name!
I still don't have everything done - some of our bills are still in my old name, but all of the major stuff has been changed.
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