Weddingbee Blog

It’s official - I’m changing my name and I’m going to take you guys along on the entire process. First you should read this site that has some great information about the different places you need to change your name.

These are the steps I’m taking so far:

1) Contact the New York City Marriage Bureau to order 3 certified copies of my marriage certificate for my social security card, passport, and driver’s license name change applications.

You can go in person to the borough office where your license was issued or fill out this form and request it by mail. The cost is $15 for the first one and $10 for each additional one. They only accept money orders and certified checks as payment. Certificates take 4-8 weeks to arrive.

2) Download, complete and mail in the Form SS-5 from the Social Security Administration or bring documents to a local office. If you’re mailing the documents in, they require an ORIGINAL id. Otherwise you can walk into your local social security office without an appointment. Call 1-800-772-1213 or visit the Social Security website for more information.

Changing your name on your social security has an added bonus - they also notify the IRS within 10 days.

3) Download, complete and mail in the Form DS-19 from the State Department for an application for a new passport.

4) You must visit a local DMV office to change your name on all DMV records and documents. Download form MV-44 and complete. Bring the form, your marriage certificate and your NYSDMV photo document or other proof of identity that displays your previous name and has a value of at least six points. There is a fee of $10 to get a new photo document that displays your new name.

Phew. I’ll keep you updated on how it goes…