As of a couple days ago, I have legally changed my name to my new married name.
Yay. Cue dancing.
Just because I was looking for an excuse to use this, doesn’t make it not awesome. from: The Gif Factory
Now, you might be thinking to yourself, “but Miss Panda, your wedding isn’t until June, did you secretly get hitched without telling us?”
Nope, we didn’t get married yet, I just decided to get my name change in advance. Now this might be a little bit nontraditional, but ultimately it made the most sense to us.
Reasons:
From: instantawesome on Etsy
Of course with every decision, there are some cons:
Given the limited cons, we decided to just do it. Thus, one very cold and windy January afternoon, we headed to the court house and submitted the change of name application.
We managed to get lost a couple of times, and had to go through a couple of metal detectors. Ultimately though, we got the paperwork to the right place.
And then we waited, and waited.
One morning, I got a phone call from the court system saying that my application got approved and that I should come pick up the form.
That’s it. Talk about anticlimactic. I guess I’m not really sure what I was expecting. I mean, I’m not expecting the sky to open up and have angels singing, but I guess I was expecting something more difficult than turning in a form, or a different feeling than I did yesterday or I don’t know…anything. This seems like such a big step and yet, it seems so…underwhelming? Ah well, such is life.
Now begins the arduous journey of getting my name changed on every single thing ever. Does anyone have a good checklist for remembering what to change and the order I should change it in? Are you changing your name? Did anyone else consider getting their name changed early?
I went off this list from The Knot: http://wedding.theknot.com/wedding-planning/planning-a-wedding/articles/name-change-101.aspx?MsdVisit=1
You might also need to change it for your car tag and car title (that seems to get left off a lot of lists).
Hope that helps!
Also, don’t forget to bring a copy of your name-change documents with you.
I am changing my name but I’m dropping my maiden name completely. Reason being, I go by my middle name so if I was going to drop my legal first name I would have to go through the court system as well.
Congratulations! That is so exciting. I haven’t changed my name yet, so I’m not sure about all the papers that it will need to be changed on!
Yay congrats! Dalmatian wrote a super helpful name change post, you should check that out!
Missnowmrs.com i think has a service available for the court system name change. I hear its a great service to use. There was just a groupon for it last week out.
Delaware used to let you drop your middle name and change it to your maiden name by doing the simple change at Social Security. This worked for most of my friends. I went to Social Security and did just that. Then I went to DMV they said no SS said they couldn’t do that anymore. Not sure if it is a change at our state level or federally (I know NY state won’t let you do it). Anyway so back to social security I went so my license and SS card would match. I ultimately decided to legally change my name through the courts b/c my maiden name was important to me and I didn’t want to hyphenate. So after publishing it in the paper for 3 weeks its off to court I go to file the documents today. Then after a wait I am sure it will be my 3rd trip to Social Security and another trip to DMV. I wish they had been clear in the first place it would have saved me a lot of trouble.
Congrats on your name change!
Congratulations on your name change! Def. makes things real and is such an awesome feeling 
Congrats! I think it’s smart to change everything now, otherwise you would just be changing things again in a few months. Ditto on Mrs Dalmatian’s post, it’s extensive and very informative!
Honestly, I’ve had the same thoughts about having my married name on our passports and while we’re on honeymoon. Like I won’t *really* get to be Mrs. Palm Tree until a month or so after, when the paperwork is official. I’m jelly – I think you made the right call!
@Mrs. Wallaby: @Mrs. Pony: how did I miss this post earlier? awesome!
@ldrummerg: thanks for the list, that’s exactly what I was looking for
@courtoni: yeah that’s the reason I went the the courts, I’ve been dying to change my first name for forever.
@new york bride 13: @Farmertobee: @Miss Sword: thank you =) I’m really excited, but I seriously get tripped up every time I tell people my name now, it’s weird
@DEBeachGirl: I’m sorry that it’s been such a pain! geez. I wish they would make this more straightforward! I was at the ss office for 2 hours this morning, so I am very aware of your pain!
LOVE your panda gif!
Also, really interesting that you changed your name in advance. I’ve thought about it and my OCD self would love to have my married name on my passport when we go on our honeymoon! So if it were just up to me, I would do it in advance. But I know the mister would not go for the advanced name change, so I’ll just have to wait and be mismatched for awhile!
Congratulations!
Here in the UK I’m able to change my name on my passport 2 months before the wedding with a form signed by the registrar but it will only be valid from the date of the wedding. This means I have been able to book the honeymoon in my new name which was very exciting! All other paperwork can be done when we get back. x
@Blonde17Jess: it definitely is a weird choice, if I didn’t have to change my whole name, I probably wouldn’t have done it, but my ocd self is happy that hopefully everything will be sorted out by the wedding– you know, because I don’t have enough stuff to worry about
@Miss Mongoose: @Soon2BeMrs7913: @Blonde17Jess: the panda gif is by far my favorite thing ever =) I’m so happy that gifs made a comeback!
I’m so stressed about the name changing process. I live in NY where everything is a bureaucratic nightmare and I heard the SS and DMV offices tell you completely different things re: requirements of changing your name!
How exciting! I know you really wanted this, I am so glad it is done,a nd hopefully you’ll get everything ready for the time fo the honeymoon.
PS: Panda gif? BEST THING EVA!
Miss Panda, Boston, MA Age and Occupation: 26, Graduate Student Fiance's Age and Occupation: 23, Graduate Student Engagement Date: June 27, 2011 Wedding Date: June 2013 About Me: I love window shopping, cute animals, crafting, baking, and most forms of procrastination. I tend to be overly meticulous with choices to a point of complete and total indecision. Mr. PBear and I met and live in the amazing city of Boston. We are big nerds who love trying new foods, playing video games, and cuddling with our adorable hamster. After 5 years together, we are planning an intimate, DIY-heavy, vintage garden themed, nonreligious wedding in the city where we fell in love.
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