When you get hitched, changing your name may be one of the last things on your list. Well, stop procrastinating and get on it! Here's how to speed through the process.
How to Change It
If you've decided to change your name, it's time to make it official after the wedding. (Contrary to popular belief, obtaining a marriage license that uses your new last name doesn't automatically mean you've changed it.) Here's a list of the four basic steps you'll need to know.
1. Get Proof
Arm yourself with a certified marriage license -- be sure it has a raised seal, which means it's authentic. Call the office where your license was filed to get copies if they aren't automatically sent to you.
2. Set Social Security Straight
Contact the Social Security Administration at (800) 772-1213; an automated system will talk you through the name change process. Your new card will be free -- if you're contacted by a company that claims to do this for a fee, don't buy it. These companies have nothing to do with the SSA and should be reported to authorities.
3. Motor on Down to the DMV
Visit the Department of Motor Vehicles, which requires you to make a personal appearance (read: wait in line). Bring a book to read and every form of identification you can lay your hands on. No matter what, do not forget your certified marriage license.
4. Fill in the Blanks
Once you have a Social Security card and driver's license in your married name, other changes should be fairly easy. Some institutions only require a phone call; others may ask for a copy of your marriage certificate or Social Security card. Be sure to notify:
- Friends and family
- Employers/payroll
- Post office
- Phone company and other utilities
- Banks and other financial institutions
- Credit card companies
- Schools and alumni associations
- Voter registration
And don't forget to get your new name on these documents as well:
- Passport: Do not do this before the wedding -- your passport name must match the name on your ticket and all other travel documents! It's easier to take your honeymoon with your maiden name.
- Mortgages and leases
- Wills
- Insurance policies
Download our handy Changing Your Name Checklist!
Get answers to more of your money questions from the experts at The Nest.
-- Cindy Hobson and Hope Reeves
See More: Money , Money Q&A , Newlywed Central
62815673 
biztuffles
People pay $30 for a name change kit?? Changing it through social security/bank/dmv was easy and free. Aside from the half hour wait at SS and DMV (each), it was quick and painless. If your DMV is that bad, make an appointment. After doing the name change myself, I would have been ticked if I wasted $30 on a kit. I think people get intimidated by the amount of paper work that they think has to be done, but it's really not a TON of stuff.
62768156 
dianemarie1999
It seems simple enough, but you will run into all kinds of IDIOTS who will mess up your name even when you have shown them official WRITTEN documentation.
62702411 
futurewillliams
Maybe I should have bought the kit too. But I did everything myself, and although it was a bit time consuming, its mostly done. Just have to do my mortgage.
62393161 
snrosales
i bought the name change kit. i'm glad i did. it saved me from googling everything or making excessive phone calls and i filled out all the forms in my time. i'm glad i bought it. there was a lot of information in there and specifics about what to take with me or send and pre-typed letters i could fill in the blanks and sign. worth my $30 and i didn't do any of it at work!!! :)
61457496 
gigichaparra
I'm in the process although you can get frustrated at the DMV wait and Soscial security office is worth it. I'm taking the other steps one at a time.
61395977 
futuremrsponlmns
Some name change kits just make it easier for you, but if you look at it you are paying around $30. for a kit of free forms. Most of which are on the agency web sites.
61371122 
Meeschelle
Has anyone had a problem changing their name with their mortgage lender? Bank of America tells me that I am required to pay them a fee of $125 in addition to providing them with certified copies of my marriage certificate, new title, hazard insurance, and a copy of my new SS card. It seems to me that a fee of $125 is a bit excessive.
61370515 Meeschelle
Has anyone had a problem changing their name with their mortgage lender? Bank of America tells me that I am required to pay them a fee of $125 in addition to providing them with certified copies of my marriage certificate, new title, hazard insurance, and a copy of my new SS card. It seems to me that a fee of $125 is a bit excessive.
61119595 
TiffanyFaith
Our bank was wonderful! We got checks before we got married with our new names. My Wachovia account let us deposit them with just a marriage license not a certificate. :) I love my bank! :)
61038301 
Dreamer09
We got checks as weddings gifts made out to both of us under my new last name --- his bank would not let him deposit them since there was no 'official mrs. yet'. So, we have to wait till I can go down with the certiciate & prove who I am. Thanks bank of america. kinda funny :)
60968504 
camillec
I did all the major name change stuff in one day Social Security, DL, and bank accounts. It just made me feel better to have everything change at one so that I didn't have to worry about any confusion. The name change process also has it's perks. I just saved $24 per month when I called my insurance to change my name and marital status. :)
60909769 
charbona
I am going through the name change process right now - start with the SSA, then the DMV, and then your banks/credit cards/loans/employment/insurance. It might seem like a lot, but figure divide it up over a week's period and do a couple each day. (BTW you don't need to change your name at the post office)
60822901 
amyandclifton
I'm in the process of changing my name now. I made my own checklist, and have added to it as I remember more places it needs to be changed. For me, the kits would not be worth the money. Right now, some things have my old name and some my married name and I haven't had any problems at all.
60294881 
bjustjenny2
Has anyone used the name-change kits? MissnowMrs.com for example? Was wondering if they really saved time and are worth the cost (29.95)
59825007 
chocolate1234
@ skozuch - Unfortunately you really do need to change your name with your financial institutions, as well as credit cards, etc. If you don't change your name, you might not even be able to deposit checks under your new name.
59040577 
Keri1028
This is the second time I have had my name changed, I had it changed when I was younger. So, really I was wanting to take his last name, it is just going to take some getting used too.
58792952 
skozuch@yahoo.com
I bank with 3 different banks. Can I keep on with my maiden name? Even if my DL shows my married name?
57587035 
MandiD5209
I'm really weirded out/nervous for these to all change at different times--for example will changing my social be okay if it takes another week for HR to change my name and new tax status? Or is it okay to still be signing my credit cards with my old name if my drivers license has my married name? I realize that these are only a few days of over-lap and I know a million people have done this before me, but for whatever reason this is really making my Type A-ness kick in!
57586694 MandiD5209
I'm really weirded out/nervous for these to all change at different times--for example will changing my social be okay if it takes another week for HR to change my name and new tax status? Or is it okay to still be signing my credit cards with my old name if my drivers license has my married name? I realize that these are only a few days of over-lap and I know a million people have done this before me, but for whatever reason this is really making my ADD kick in!