Weddingbee Blog

A few months ago, I talked a bit about the idea of changing my last name. Now, one month into our marriage, I have begun the actual process of changing my name. Happy Month-versary, Mr. Mole! Let’s celebrate by visiting various governmental agencies! Whee!

Every day’s a party at the DMV / Image via Oregon Live

Let me tell you right now: changing your name mainly involves standing in line, sitting in waiting rooms, and making phone calls. It’s not a hard process by any means. It’s just…boring. There are quite a few services out there, like Miss Now Mrs. or Name Change Express, that will help you change your name for a $30 fee. However, I’m here to help you through the process—at least in the United States—for free!

1. Go to the Social Security Office

Make an appointment if you can, and bring your original, certified marriage certificate and proof of identity (plus proof of US Citizenship, if it’s not already in their records). You can easily prove both identity and citizenship with a passport. Here’s a list of other acceptable documents. You will also need to submit this form.

(I waited at the SSA office for about 80 minutes on a Monday morning. While there, I saw a man angrily take a dozen numbers, shove them all in his pocket, and storm out of the waiting room. I felt pretty relaxed in comparison.)

You will come home with a form and the assurance that my new card would be mailed to you within 7-10 days. The SSA will also notify the IRS of your name change.

2. Go to the DMV

Again, make an appointment if you can, and bring your original, certified marriage certificate, old license, and new SSA card. You’ll also want to bring your title and registration for your vehicle, if applicable, and whatever fee that your state charges for a license. California charges $26 cash for the license.

In California, you can call 1-800-777-0133 to have a driver’s license application mailed to you, or you can pick one up at your local DMV. You can also fill out a new voter’s registration form at the DMV as well.

You will leave with a temporary license and proof of registration. You will receive everything else in the mail.

3. Go to your bank

Again, bring your original, certified marriage certificate and new proof of identity. You will probably have to sit down with a manager to change your name on your accounts (or add your husband to your accounts).

Your new debit cards and checks will arrive in the mail.

4. Contact your HR representative

Bring that original, certified marriage license with you. (I felt like stapling it to my arm by this point.) Your HR rep might need a photocopy of it for your records.

You will be able to change your name and marital status information on your payroll, tax documents, retirement benefits, health insurance, etc. In most cases, marriage is considered a life-changing event, which will allow you to make changes in some of your policies outside of the standard enrollment period. For example, Mr. Mole was able to add me on to his health insurance policy after showing his rep our marriage certificate.

5. Call your various accounts (credit cards, utilities, gym membership, car/homeowners/renters insurance, student loans, magazine subscriptions, doctor’s/dentist’s office, online shopping memberships, etc)

Some of these accounts—like credit card companies or LA Fitness, of all places—will require a photocopy/fax/scan of the marriage certificate. Others will be able to take your word over the telephone or online. I made a list of all of the bills that I pay each month, and then I just started calling the accounts one by one. I now just add accounts to the list as I remember them.

6. Visit your local post office

Pick up a Change of Address form, and write “Correction” at the top of the form. Fill it out using your new name and your current address (if you haven’t moved, your current address is the same as your previous address). Turn the form back in to a postal worker or drop it in a mailbox.

Your name change will be registered with the USPS within 10 business days.

7. Mail in a new passport application

You’ll probably want to do this one last, as it requires you to mail in that original, certified marriage certificate that has been stapled to your arm. Plus, unless you are the type of person of whom I will be instantly jealous, you don’t use your passport as often as your driver’s license or credit cards or insurance benefits.

If your passport was issued less than one year ago, you need to mail in your old passport, form DS-5504, an original, certified marriage certificate, and one color photograph. Lucky you, your new passport with your new name is free!

If your passport was issued more than one year ago, you need to mail in your old passport, form DS-82, an original, certified marriage certificate, one color photograph, and $140.

I don’t recommend changing your name on anything, though, if you have an international trip planned within one month of your wedding! Your passport will need to match your legal name at the time of your trip.

So, there you have it: the name change process. As I said before, it’s not too difficult. It’s just a matter of filling out a lot of forms and waiting in lines. As Tom Petty says, the waiting is the hardest part. And I bet you that he was singing about the long lines at the Los Angeles SSA office.

Do you have any other tips or hints about the name-change process?