After you get married, there are several places you’ll need to update your name (if you’re taking your married name) or address (if you’re moving). Here’s a quick checklist you can use to make sure you don’t forget anything:
- Social Security Card – You’ll need to go to your local Social Security office to update your name on your Social Security card. You’ll need your marriage license or certificate for proof. If you don’t know where your closest Social Security office is located, you can find out here. It will take a week or two before you get your updated Social Security card in the mail.
- Driver’s License – You’ll have to check out your DMV’s website for the steps you should take. Once you’ve updated your Driver’s License and Social Security card, you should have no problem updating the rest of these things.
- Forward Your Mail – You can have your mail forwarded by picking up the form at your local Post Office or by going to the USPS website (though it will cost you $1 to do it online). You’ll want to forward your mail for your old name and your new name to cover all your bases.
- Passport – If you already have a passport, you’ll want to get that changed as well. You can find the appropriate form on the Department of State’s website.
- Auto Title & Registration – You’ll also want to change your name on your auto title and registration if you own a car. This may or may not require a trip to your DMV. Many DMV’s offer this service through the mail or on their website.
- Employment & Professional Licenses – Let your employer know you’ve changed your name. If you have a professional license, you’ll want to update your name with the appropriate agency.
- Bank, Investment, and Credit Card Accounts – If you’re combining your finances, you’ll also want to look at consolidating these accounts or adding each other as joint account holders.
- Insurance Policies
- Doctor’s Offices
- Utilities (Electric, Phone, Internet, Cable, etc.)
- Cell Phone
- Student Loans
- Library Card
This list doesn’t cover everything you’ll need to do, but it should cover most areas. Are there any other big things you should include? Leave your suggestions in the comments!
I like to make sure women today realize the right to keep our birth name after marriage is something that many women before us fought for. Similar to our right to vote. I encourage women to know their options – and men too (I know of several men who have changed their last name when getting married). Below is a link to a story on the history of women changing their names. Thanks for this post.
Marly
http://www.namelymarly.com/blog/2009/07/changing-your-last-name-when-you-get-married-your-decision-or-society’s/
Thanks for leaving a comment, Marly! This post wasn’t an opinion piece on whether you should change your name or not – just a quick checklist for what you’ll need to do if you decide to change it. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!