Name Change & Honeymoon Documents Question

bonniebrett

Hello - So I need to get my butt down to City Hall to apply for our marraige license. I just realized that I can apply to change my name at the same time, and it will take affect after the marraige ceremony. If I don't apply to change my name at the same time, I have to figure out how to do it, because I can't do it through the marraige office... so much easier. My question is, if I change my name officially at the wedding, I assume I can't change my license or passport until afterwards. So, when I travel for my honeymoon, I assume my license and passport would still have my current name, as would my travel documents.... so even though my legal name is changed, it won't really matter in terms of traveling, right?Does anyone know how this works?Thanks!

jilliibabii

I think you should be fine. I wondered about this, too. Since you booked the tickets under your maiden name and your license and passport will both have your maiden name, I don't know how the travel people would even know that you already legally changed your name. If you want extra insurance, I'm sure you can bring a copy of your marriage license with you to show them, but I don't think it'll be necessary. Good to know you can do all the name change stuff AT the marriage office!

Caitrus

You can file the marriage license at the marriage office and they will ask you if you are changing your surname. Once you get your marriage certificate back your name is legally changed for example I was Caitlin Russotti and now I am Caitlin Adams. I have been married for a month and I have only changed my name on my social security card and a few of my bank accounts. I haven't made up a new signature yet other wise I would have gone to DMV. We got on a flight the day after our wedding we were fine. No one will know what your new name is.

bonniebrett

Thanks. I think I'm overcomplicating it! I'm going to do it all at once.

fishy24

Book your honeymoon in your maiden name, as you will not be able to change your ID documents to your married name in time to travel for your honeymoon.  There are new restrictions in place which mandate that you must book plane tickets in the exact name that is on your ID- passport or drivers license as needed.  That is- if your ID says Katherine Smith, you must book your ticket as Katherine Smith, not Katie Smith.  It has to do with the no-fly list.  So even though "technically" you will have a new last name as of the moment you are married, you will not have time to change your SS card, which you will need to change your license and passport before you go on your honeymoon.  Travel in your maiden name, not your married name.It is a bit disappointing because you will be so excited to use your new name, but once you get to your hotel and they call you "mrs. ____" you'll be very happy to hear it!

alithebride

you will need your official marriage license back all completed after the wedding (after it's filed wtih the state by the officient). it takes weeks. you need that to change your license, ss card, passport---everything. since you will not have weeks to wait for the certified copy back after the wedding or have time to wait for your new passport you MUST travel with the name that the documents show-which is the name you have now-before the wedding. book all tickets in the name you have now-not the name you'll have after the wedding.  dont bother bringing along the marriage cert to prove your name-it's not a document of identification and will not help you if your docs dont match your tickets. just so you know-the passport, nys dmv, ss office etc.. are not linked so even if you chang your passport the people at the dmv wont know as the passport office doesn't alert other agencies. it's up to you to change all.

bonniebrett

thanks everyone!