I know we go over this a lot, but...

alexandramezzo

is this what I need to fill out for a name change?

http://www.mva.maryland.gov/Resources/VR-154.pdf

Just take it to the MVA?  It seems too easy...

LauraT25

Hopefully one of the marrieds will help you out, but I'm 99% sure that form is just to change your name with the MVA or maybe the whole state of Maryland.

I think you have to go to the Social Security office first and fill out a form there, I seem to recall everyone mentioning the Social Security office.  This may be way off base, but I think that has to be done before you can do any other name-changing.

LauraT25

Actually, this website says the order is a little different (sorry, I'm sure the formatting will get all screwy):

Changing Your Identification and Records

It is important to let friends, family, and your common contacts know that your name has changed. Generally, it is easiest to first change your name with the post office, then on your driver's license, and then with the Social Security Administration.

TIP: After you change your name, avoid confusion by using only your new name.

• Post Office -  Although the Post office does not have a form for name change, it helps to leave a notice for your local carrier in your mailbox. This will avoid the potential problem of mail with your new name being misdirected.

• www.marylandmva.com/Resources/VR-154.pdf"> Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) - There will be a fee to change the name on your driver’s license. The law requires that you notify the MVA within 30 days after you change your name by court order or by marriage. This form is also available in Spanish.

• Social Security Administration  - See the special procedures for changing your name on your Social Security card. You can use a copy of your name change court order. You will need an www.peoples-law.org/finding/vital-records/finding_records.htm">original or a certified copy.

arbolita

Yes, first you have to go to SSA to change your name - then you have to wait 24-48 hours for the change to register in their databases, then you can go to MVA.  I'm pretty sure that's the only form from MVA that I had to fill out.  I know SSA has a form on their site also.

smange10.10

From my experience - it's way easier than I had anticipated. 

You have to go to Social Security first.  There is a form on their website that you need to fill out.  If you do it ahead of time, it's way easier!  Bring that form and your marriage license and once you get up to the counter, it takes all of 5 minutes.  You have to wait 24-48 hours for the system to update before you go to the MVA.  At least that's what they told me.  So, I went to SS on Friday and the MVA on Monday.  I brought with me my marriage license and the letter from SS saying that my name was changed and was able to take care of the license thing right away.  After that, everything was super easy - credit cards, the bank....etc. 

Most places will ask to see a copy of the marriage license, but usually you can just make a photo copy of it - except for the MVA and SS (bring your original, they won't keep it).

ajerome21

I am glad you posted this.

Married knotties - Did you take the original marriage license with you to S.S./M.V.A or a certified copy?  I picked up my marriage license last week and the lady was saying that I may need to take a certified copy of the license instead of the original to S.S?

smange10.10

I just took the original that my cantor and priest both signed.  We never bothered getting a certified copy.  No one kept it - they just needed to see it and made copies themselves.

highdee

They actually recently changed the laws in Maryland so I believe now you need to wait until you actually receive your new SS card before the MVA will do anything.

Some places might let you through with just the letter from the MVA but I believe the law states you need the actual card.  Who knows.  Their site also says you need to go to a full service MVA but I went to an MVA express and had no issues.

ajerome21

Thanks.

alexandramezzo

THANK YOU so much.  This has helped me a lot and made me feel a littlle less stressed.