How To Legally Change Your Name After Marriage
Congratulations on your wedding! You both planned an amazing gathering of family and friends to witness your happily-ever-after. You’ve sent out your Thank You cards, you’ve preserved your dress and bouquet, and pretty much did your What to Do After the Wedding list. There is one item left on the list. How to change your name legally.
Before you can do anything, you need to wait to get back your marriage license confirming the name you want to use, whether it’s hyphenated, used your maiden name as your middle name, or something else, Once you have your new marriage license, you can decide to change your name.
Change your social security card by visiting the Social Security Administration's website to fill out a form to process the change, or go to the physical office with the filled out form. Don't forget your original marriage license and other items they require to confirm your identity including your current social security card (you retain the same number), your proof of citizenship or certified copy of your birth certificate, proof of identity with your photo address (driver’s license, passport, military I.D. card, State issued identification). For foreign born citizens, or non-citizens, you can review what you need here.
Change your driver's license. Once you have your social security card, bring that along with your original marriage license and all forms of identification to the DMV. They will have a list of what you need to bring, so review your local state DMV website. This includes your current driver’s license, proof of address (utility bill, lease, mortgage payments, or any utility mailed to you), and payment for processing (check, cash, or other method that the State DMV allows).
Change your Passport. It's now easier to change your passport with your new driver's license and social security card. Remember, if you’re booking a flight overseas and you will NOT have your new passport by the time you fly, book your plane tickets with your original name. Only book your flight with your new intended name if you know you will have your new passport. Your name must match your plane tickets. Your driver’s license will not be enough. As for the steps, make sure you're providing all other identification and materials listed on the U.S. Department of State, including the change of name form, your recent passport, passport photo, and appropriate fees. Note, you will be getting a new passport number. Check your current Global Entry and see what they need for name change requirement, or if you need to re-apply. Same if you have TSA Pre-check.
Change your bank accounts by going to each branch with your new passport, your original marriage license, your new driver's license, and your old identification to confirm you're the original bank holder. While you're there, order new checks, so it has your new name.
Decide with your new spouse if you're going to create a joint checking account for utilities, mortgage, rent, groceries, cable, phone, etc. There's no reason why you can't have separate checking accounts. This is an option that many couples decide to do, but couples also keep their checking accounts separate and divide who pays what bills.
Change the name on your lease or mortgage.
Change the name listed in any insurance (health insurance - which can be done through your employer, renter’s insurance, jewelry insurance, etc.)
Change your information with the human resource department at your job, and change your payroll information, pension, 401K, your work email, etc.
You can also think about changing your beneficiaries. Sorry niece and nephew, you're cute, but the spouse is now next in line.
Change your credit cards. Some companies request a copy of the marriage certificate or new identification. Go through your list of automatic payments to make sure your accounts are updated.
You can create a new personal email address containing your new name. Make sure to contact all your family and friends that you have a new email address. You can also forward emails to your old email address to your new email automatically. Pretty much all email platforms can do this.
Change everything you can think of, including associations, gym membership, voter registration, post office, utility bills (phone, cable, electricity), title to your car, auto insurance, etc.
Change your name of social media. They says it’s not official until you change your name on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and other digital platforms.
Once you change your name, notify your friends and family of any new email you’re using. This applies to you announcing at work what name you’ll be using.
