When preparing for your big day, there are many momentous decisions you have to make. Your wedding day is one of the most significant occasions in your life, and understandably there is a lot of anxiety that surrounds it. To ensure everything works out, you need to consider every situation. One of the most important decisions you have to make is the name change after marriage. You have to go through a process of changing your name on all of your documents.
If you have asked around about how to change your name after marriage, you must have heard stories about office visits, delays, queues and lots of paperwork. However, you can make things easier by learning more about the legalities involved and steps you need to take to accomplish this task.
Here you will find tips to help you change your name easily after marriage.
1. Decide on the Name Early
Don’t wait until the last minute to deliberate on the name choice. There are many choices to decide between, and you are free to pick the option that works best for you. You can opt to create a new surname by hyphenating your maiden name with that of your husband. There are other choices of a name change depending on your personal preferences, professional considerations and acceptable practices in your new family.
2. Get your Marriage Certificate and Certified Copies
When applying for a marriage certificate, make sure to use the new name you have chosen on your marriage license. After the marriage, you will get a certificate and you will need to purchase certified copies of the same. They will come in handy when applying for new papers. You will not have to use the original copy again so keep it somewhere safe.
3. Apply For a New Social Security Card
You need to update your social security card to reflect your new name. This can be done by downloading the form from the social security administration website. Complete the form and attach the certified copy of your marriage certificate, proof of citizenship (birth certificate or passport), proof of identity (valid driver’s license or passport) and your current social security card.
4. Apply For a New Driver’s License
Once you have applied for a new social security card, visit your local DMV office and apply for a new driver’s license. You will need a certified copy of your marriage certificate, your old driver’s license, new social security card, and proof of address. You will pay the required processing fee and wait for your new driver’s license.
5. Apply For a New Passport
If you plan to travel for your honeymoon, it is advisable to wait until you return before playing for new travel papers. To apply for a new passport, visit the state department and download and complete Form DS-5504 (if your passport is less than one year old) or Form DS-82 (if your passport is more than one-year-old). Passport changes are through the mailand you need to include a certified copy of your marriage certificate, current passport and recent color photograph and a check for the payable passport fee.
6. Start Changing Your Name
Once you have acquired the new documents, you need to contact all agencies/institutions which have your old name. These include:
• Banks, credit card companies
• Insurance provider
• Mortgage company
• Auto-pay accounts including subscriptions
• Post office
• Utility service providers
• Doctor’s offices
• Investment accounts
• Attorney’s offices
• Employers/payroll
• Loyalty programs
• Voter registration office
7. Using an Online Name Change Service
Looking at all these requirements, it is clear you need a lot of time to change your name after marriage. Considering that this process comes right after a tiresome wedding process, a convenient alternative is the best method. This is where an online name change service comes in handy.
These services make available all the paperwork you need to change your name legally. They have several tailored name change packages and once you select the most suitable, they will complete the paperwork and send it to you for signing. Once you sign, you only need to send the paperwork to the necessary recipients.
Your passport and social security card will arrive through the mail. For the driver’s license, you still need to visit the local DMV office but you will have the paperwork ready, thus saving yourself a lot of time. Using an online name change service after marriage is a convenient, hassle-free way to legally change your name after marriage.
