The guests are gone, the venue quiet, the last sweet afternoon of your honeymoon slipped away...and now you’re ready to begin your married life!...Or are you?
Though customs are changing, for most brides the wedding still isn’t complete until a few weeks after they say “I do,” and their legal last name matches the name on their marriage license.
It’s not the most glamorous of wedding tasks, and can certainly feel like one of the most intimidating. I’ve put together five quick tips to help you on your way...and if all this leaves you feeling a bit overwhelmed, skip down to step six!
1. Make sure you have all your ducks in a row: You’ll need your marriage license in hand before you can begin the process of legally changing your last name.
2. Start at the Beginning: Before you can do anything else, you must must must get a new social security card! To do this, you’ll have to log on to the Social Security Administration’s website and fill out the application for a new card. Depending on your situation, it may be more expedient for you to swing by your local office instead, and speak to someone in person.
3. Once you have your new social security card in hand, you’re ready to head to the DMV and get your license changed! Be sure to double check that you have every document you’ll need in hand before you go, to avoid having to sit through the line more than once.
4. Last, but certainly not least, you’ll want to change your name on your bank account. This is especially important if you’ve opened a joint account with your partner. Swing by your local brick-and-mortar branch with your shiny new driver’s license and your marriage license, and you’ll be good to go.
5. Finally, consider what other entities may need your updated information. You’ll want to ensure that your payroll documents are updated so you don’t miss a paycheck; if you have a passport, that will need to be updated; your voter registration; any legal documents (such as a will, or insurance); and any other miscellaneous documents, such as credit cards here is a great list to start with:
Employers/payrollPost office
Electric and other utility companies
Credit card companies
Schools and alumni associations
Landlord or mortgage company
Insurance companies (auto, home, life)
Doctors' offices
Voter registration office
Investment account providers
Your attorney (to update legal documents, including your will)
Passport office
Airlines (to transfer over your miles) 6. Or, skip ahead and try Hitchswitch! An online service that provides everything you need all in one place, Hitchswitch has streamlined the name changing process for a digital world. With several package options, from Print-at-Home to full-service Platinum, Hitchswitch fits perfectly into any budget and busy life schedule.