How to Change Your Name After Marriage

Changing your last name after you get married is an old tradition that has been around for a long time. Whether the wife takes the husband's name as tradition dictates, he takes hers, or both make the decision to hyphenate, follow the necessary steps to make it official.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Telephones
• Note Card
• Marriage Licenses
• Thank-you Greeting Cards

1. Order extra certified copies of your marriage certificate for agencies that require originals before allowing you to change your name on documents, such as the department of motor vehicles.

2. If you're a man changing your name at marriage, check your marriage certificate to see if there is a space to indicate a name change. If not, you will need court papers to legally change your name. Contact a local attorney to find out the procedure for name changing in your state. (This is not necessary for women.)

3. Request a new Social Security card or cards reflecting the name change. Call the Social Security Administration at [phone] to obtain forms and instructions.

4. Make an appointment to visit the department of motor vehicles for a new driver's license. Ask in advance which documents you'll need to bring in order to certify the validity of your name change.

5. Obtain and complete a Passport Amendment/Validation Application. Send this along with appropriate fees, your current passport(s), and a certified documentation of your name change (such as a certified copy of a marriage certificate or court papers) to the nearest passport agency.

6. Order replacements for checks, business cards, credit cards and other documents that contain your old name.

7. Call employers and schools (if you are a student) to let them know your new name, and ask them to change it in their records.

8. Change your name on your car registration, with your insurance and mortgage companies, and with your frequent-flier program.

9. Contact the post office, utility companies and registrar of voters.

10. Make the announcement to friends and family (ideally to your in-laws first), using stationery or thank-you cards with your new name printed on them, or order name-change cards designed for such an occasion.

Tips & Warnings

• Because a woman traditionally takes her husband's name when she is married, a certified copy of your marriage certificate is sufficient documentation for a woman's name change, even if it doesn't contain a space for your new name. A man may need court papers, not just a marriage certificate, to get new documents after marriage if he wants to change his name.

[happilyingaged]

on 6/29/2009 I WAS TOLD BY MY WEDDING PLANNER THAT IT COST MONEY TO CHANGE YOUR NAME AFTER MARRIAGE I'VE BEEN DOING MY RESEARCH AND FROM WHAT I'VE READ THUS FAR IT IS TIME CONSUMING BUT FREE UNLESS I PURCHASE A KIT IS THIS TRUE?

[gahazeleyes]

on 5/4/2009 Thank you for sharing.

[chicspandex]

on 4/10/2009 Definitely check the law of your state, but be warned that the law often has little effect on how tyranocrats operate. Though generally legal, few bureaucrats accept common law names (except at marriage). Moreover, some court cases state that the tradition was originally to take the name of the person with the most land, which was generally the male.

[cadustin]

on 1/12/2009 What are the laws regarding notifying your employer? Do I have to give them a copy of my marriage/divorce papers to change my name?

[Jeff90125]

on 1/9/2009 Anyone can change their name at anytime for any "legal" reason. By "legal" I mean not for an illegal reason such as running out on a debt. You may simply start using your new name. The SSA or IRS or DMV is not the ultimate authority on names. You are the only authority on what your name is. What matters is what your are called and known as to those that matter. You can change your name on your license when it comes up for renewal if you want. If they don't believe you, that's their problem.

Just call me,

Soup T. Nutz