Weddingbee Blog

I’ve explained my reasons for changing my name to Mr. Pencils’ after our marriage. Now, nearly four months out, it’s time to start preparing the paperwork and aligning all the legalities of legally doing so after our wedding!

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When I initially began to research this topic a year ago after we were first engaged, I gave up because it seemed so hopelessly confusing. The amount of paperwork and time needed to change my name was daunting—so I shut that web search down and put it on the back burner until I was capable of devoting the research time necessary! Then, my mom brought up the question of whether I would need a new passport for our honeymoon (to Costa Rica—have I mentioned this before? I see a honeymoon post in our future!). The answer, of course, was no, because I won’t have time to complete all the necessary steps before the honeymoon, but I realized this was one of the many documents that will need to change afterward.

Being the savvy bride that I am, I turned to Google. A few button clicks later and I had found two logical, organized, step by step websites with clear directions on the name change formalities. In an attempt to save some of you time and Googling, I present the process for changing your name post-nuptials:

#1- EXTRA CERTIFIED MARRIAGE LICENSES
ORDER extra CERTIFIED, original copies of your marriage certificate. In some states, you do this when you get the marriage certificate before the wedding, in others you order more after you have signed the first one. This is necessary because so many documents will require original certificates!

#2- SOCIAL SECURITY CARD
Make if OFFICIAL by requesting a new Social Security Card. This can be done in person or by mail, depending on your home state. It will require an original marriage license, your current SS card, and a postage stamp or gas for your car! Two weeks later, you’ll have a new card! The best thing about this? About ten days later, the Social Security Administration will inform the IRS of your name change for you! Forms here.

#3- DRIVER’S LICENSE & CAR REGISTRATION
Either while you’re getting your new SS card or afterward (depending on what your state requires), go to your local Department of Motor Vehicles to get a new driver’s license! You’ll definitely need your old license and a marriage certificate, but other states require more, like a piece of mail or your SS card, so check before you go in! Bring your car’s license information as well to change the title of your car in one fell swoop.

#4- PASSPORT
If you have a passport (and if not, get one! You never know when you’ll need to fly to Italy at a moment’s notice tee hee) all you need is a Passport Amendment Application, your current passport and a marriage certificate on hand to change it. You can mail these documents, plus a fee and two passport sized photos to a National Passport Processing Center or go to a local one. I’m opting for mailing, as these places are usually only open during the week, 9 to 5… and I have a job that pretty much conflicts with that! Here is the document if you’ve had your passport for over a year, as I have.

#5: POST OFFICE AND VOTER REGISTRATION
It’s always good to let the post office know of any changes but in this case the only need to notify the post office is if you are moving as well as changing your name. Meanwhile, you’ll need to change your voter registration information. Maryland loves me, so this is something I will do while at the DMV, as that information is updated when you get a driver’s license. Many states also have voter registration at the local motor vehicles department; if not, here is the application to mail.

#6: CREDIT CARDS, CHECKS, BUSINESS CARDS/EMPLOYERS, SCHOOLS, BANK ACCOUNTS, LOANS, DOCTORS, MEMBERSHIPS, BILLS, BILLS, BILLS
Whew. These last steps are more like twenty steps in one, but these people and agencies can be notified at an ongoing rate. Most likely, your university, doctors, gym, and employer won’t require a marriage certificate to change this information. Others, like your bank and loan agencies may require a marriage certificate copy to hold on file so you may need to hold off until the end to change this stuff. Don’t forget your frequent flyer program, Netflix or your college organizations and clubs!

#7: SPREAD THE WORD!
Rock the dorkiness and buy/create some new stationery with your new name or initials and send notes to family and friends. Change your official name on Facebook (what?) and have a “I’m Now A (insert new last name) Party” at a local bar. Practice signing that new name for the checkout line!

The two best websites I stumbled across offer similar information and should definitely get a lot of credit for my timeline and suggestions! Check them out: ehow and mrs.forever. Mrs. Forever has even more links to specific states so check it our for even more details! Thanks to both websites for making it easy to craft my own plan!

Do you have tips or tricks to make the name change process faster or easier?