Changing your name

NMac2010

For those of you who are already married, what is the quickest/easiest way to get through the process?

Is there anything you can do a week or 2 PRIOR to the wedding, to reduce the amount of work you have to do afterwards?

I'm changing my name on everything, and I planned on getting the paperwork to fill out to change my name on my SS card at the same time we are getting our marriage license. Other than that, I wasn't sure if there was anything I could change it on prior to the wedding.

TIA!

Tiffany618

I'm doing this now.  It is my experience so far that you can't do anything without your certified marriage license, which I just received today from our May 21st wedding.

It's kind of aggrevating.

bsn1752

There's a service that was talked about on the boards from www.missnowmrs.com that's supposed to help you through the whole process and make it all much easier... I'm still a ways out, but it's worth a shot!

NMac2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_texas-dallas-ft-worth_changing-name-1?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:102Discussion:0260486b-3971-4471-ad4b-e207913e02f1Post:3b3957b6-3197-4c06-afed-e831cd558a9f">Re: Changing your name</a>:
[QUOTE]I'm doing this now.  It is my experience so far that you can't do anything without your certified marriage license, which I just received today from our May 21st wedding. It's kind of aggrevating.
Posted by Tiffany618[/QUOTE]

That's annoying! So do you kind of feel like you have 2 last names for a few weeks? Ha...that will annoy me.

fallbride1109

It's a pain in the buttinsky.  We're still discovering things we need to change 6 months later.  I went to the DMV first, then the SS office.  Everyone needs to see proof.  Although I was able to change most of my utilities, cell phone, etc. online or by phone except for Time Warner cable.

MinM

You can't do anything "official" until you have the license. You can call ahead and see what everyone requires so you don't have to make multiple visits to the same place, but that's it. It is a pain. That is for sure. However, you should NOT pay anyone to do this for you.

NMac2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_texas-dallas-ft-worth_changing-name-1?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:102Discussion:0260486b-3971-4471-ad4b-e207913e02f1Post:784c1951-e71e-43a1-b72e-e76069fb940e">Re: Changing your name</a>:
[QUOTE] Although I was able to change most of my utilities, cell phone, etc. online or by phone except for Time Warner cable.
Posted by stephiehall[/QUOTE]

So, they didn't even need to see proof of anything? Hmmm...good to know.

Mariah09202008

I completely agree with MinM about not paying for a product that supposedly makes the name change process easier.  It's a pain the a$$....but it's not THAT big of a pain to be worth paying money for a program.  Maybe I'm grumpy today but if it were me, I'd wait until the deal was done to make any changes and when you get back from your honeymoon change your name back over slowly.  I'd make it goals for your week.  Like "week one back from honeymoon: change name at SS office and drivers license, change name at bank" <---those are the most important.  "Week 2: change name on gym membership and 2 CC's" ... 

Tiffany618

Yes, it is a big pain to have 2 names.  Especially when you get mail at a PO Box and mail (gifts) coming to my new last name have been returned to sender..... but when I go to change my name they wouldn't do it until I had my marriage license to show them... which I was worried would also be rejected since it has DH's name on it!  Argh.  Luckily I did get it today...

fallbride1109

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_texas-dallas-ft-worth_changing-name-1?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:102Discussion:0260486b-3971-4471-ad4b-e207913e02f1Post:e6ae965a-ed5f-47fe-be1b-83e360514aac">Re: Changing your name</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Changing your name : So, they didn't even need to see proof of anything? Hmmm...good to know.
Posted by NMac2010[/QUOTE]

Nope, only Time Warner made me come in person.  And my electric co. but that's only because it was in my ex-hubby's name so I had to redo the whole account entirely.  I changed my gas, credit card, and cell phone all online.

tnickel06

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_texas-dallas-ft-worth_changing-name-1?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:102Discussion:0260486b-3971-4471-ad4b-e207913e02f1Post:3b3957b6-3197-4c06-afed-e831cd558a9f">Re: Changing your name</a>:
[QUOTE]I'm doing this now.  It is my experience so far that you can't do anything without your certified marriage license, which I just received today from our May 21st wedding. It's kind of aggrevating.
Posted by Tiffany618[/QUOTE]

Still ahead of me, I haven't recieved it at all and I was married almost a full month ahead of you. And all they said we can do is wait...ugh!

Tiffany618

tnickel - That is crazy!  Was it in Dallas?

chchast

As for the marriage license, you know that you can personally take in in and have them record it into the system and then they hand it right back to you - at least I know you can in Collin County.

shortgirltx

I wouldn't pay for some service to help you out.  From what I have been told, they just have all the correct documents that you have to fill out.  Well you can easily go to the SS website and find the paperwork.  Heck the paper work is the easiest part, it's the running around and dealing with everyone that sucks.

From my experience, I would not change anything at the bank until you have your new DL with your new name.  At work, I just emailed HR my new last name and they changed everything without wanting proof.

NMac2010

Thanks ladies!