Name Change Checklist: Changing Your Name After Marriage

Couples have to make many decisions related to their wedding day. This involves choosing a venue for the wedding, the color scheme, cake flavor, among other decisions. There are also some decisions you have to make that have a long-lasting effect on your life like changing your last name.


Most modern couples choose to back tradition in different ways in regards to changing names after the wedding; some men take their wives name, other couples hyphenate their names while others combine both partners’ last names. No matter what you choose to do if changing names is something, you want to do, be sure to consult with a conclusive name change checklist to make sure that everything is legally and properly updated.

Changing your name

The name changing process is very easy as long as you have some guidance. If you and your partner have agreed to change names, there are some to-do’s you should observe. The name change checklist we shall outline below will keep you on track on what you should do. Once you have read the process you need to follow to change your name, you could use the name change checklist to stay organized.

Certificate of marriage

Once your union has been officiated, and witnesses have signed the certificate (something that happens after the marriage ceremony), send the certificate to the county register’s office. This is the same office where you file for the marriage certificate. It can take approximately six weeks to get the official marriage certificate since the duration of each state differs. Think of the marriage certificate as your birth certificate; it acts as the official marriage record and should be kept safe. Often, agencies don’t accept the photocopy of the marriage certificate, forcing most couples to pay extra fees to get two or more official copies for safe keeping.  After you have received the document via mail, you can now start the process of changing your name.

• Step 1

You should begin with the Social Security card. Consider going to the local office before they start their daily operations; this way you will be the first on line. If you have to take an off that morning, please do it. You will find most people in that office doing various things, and when you arrive late, the chances are that you will sit there for many hours. You will file to change your name on the Social Security Card. The new card takes approximately ten days or less to get to you via mail.

• Step 2

After getting the Social Security Card in your mail, the next step you should take is to visit the local DMV so you can update the driver’s license. Because you will be required to pay a fee, this is the suitable time you should take a new photo and update the same information on the card. Each state is different, and the charges will vary as well. You'll be required to fill in a form, then present the marriage certificate and the new Social Security Card; be sure to carry both of them. There are states that can even update the voter registration and car title on this same visit. You can get more information including the form you are supposed to fill out at the DMV state site. The new driver’s license takes four weeks.

• Step 3

The next items will present some challenges. Many banks will ask you to bring new Social Security Card, the license, and the marriage official document so that you can update your new name on the accounts, mortgage, and credit cards. Adding or changing a name to the house title deed is another issue, and it’s recommended that you consult a professional on the same. The issue here will be the Passport, and you may have to pay $165 just to update it. You have to bring a new photo. Consider visiting the government website for more information on updating your passport. Updating the PayPal can also present some hurdles. It’s recommended that you update the bank accounts first then deal with PayPal. You will be required provide your marriage certificate. There is also a process of document review that could take up to one week to authenticate.

Never book a honeymoon hotel or flight using your new name because it’s not legal yet.

• Step 4

The items here are easy and will not require the marriage certificate. There are DMV offices that can even take care of the car title and still change the driver’s license. Once the bank accounts have been updated, make sure you talk to the HR department, and they will update the paychecks too. Other items will be taken care of when you receive the monthly statements or bills. In case you own a business, and you would like the legal documents to be updated consider discussing the changes with a business lawyer.

• Step 5

The items in this section are vital, but they are not as important as the paycheck or your bank accounts. It’s possible to change your name on the taxes during the tax time. Health care providers also allow you to make name changes online or at their office the next time you visit them. It’s also possible to re-register to vote on many state websites with a few clicks. Your pet’s microchip can also be updated during their next visit to the vet. But, to update your will or living trust, you may require a notarization as well as other potential fees. Because you are newly married, you may want to consider drafting your new last will so that both of you will be protected just in case.

• Step 6

The items here are things you can organically update when you come across them. For instance, you could choose to change your Facebook name the next day. The next time you go to the library, gym or other clubs you could change your name. The only ones you have to change pronto are those that you pay for since the name difference may cause problems when the next payments hit the bank account.

This name change checklist should guide you make the necessary changes as per your plan.