Marriage
is a significant milestone in one’s life, which tends to bring about
some big changes in the lifestyles of both the husband and wife. One
such change pertains to the wife’s last name. Traditionally, it was
customary to expect the wife to replace her maiden name with her
husband’s family name, which would effectively bind her into a family
unit. This is no longer the norm, and it is perfectly acceptable for a
woman to retain her maiden name even after marriage. Using a hyphenated
name, which includes both hers and her husband’s surname is also an oft
treaded path these days. Irrespective of the couple’s decision, any
change in name should be done legally and the new name must be updated
on all legal documents.
Jumping through legal hoops
In
order to change one’s name legally, one should obtain a copy of the
marriage certificate from the Department of Health. Having multiple
certified copies is recommended, as it allows the couple to process
different forms at once. The Department of Health issues these forms at a
small fee, which can vary depending on where you live.
The
next step is to apply for a new Social Security card by filling out
Form SS-5, and submitting certified copies of the marriage certificate
and an ID proof. This is an important aspect of legally changing your name after marriage,
and is one of the most important aspects of returning your professional
life to normalcy. The agency will issue a new Social Security card in
about two weeks’ time. You can contact Social Security for more
information about the same at www.ssa.gov
Make
sure to let your employer know of your name change, so that your income
is updated to the new Social Security Number, hence allowing you to get
your tax refunds on time, without any hassles.
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