Changing My Name

Theresa626

Can someone tell me?  What do I do first, second, third, etc?  Where do I go?  What do I need?  Does anyone have a pamphlet on this or some sort of guide you could post?  I dont' know where to start.  

bellebride116

As long as I had my marriage license I didn't have to go any particular place first, second, third, etc. I ended up doing social security first, dmv same day, most credit cards I just called about the name change and they sent me new cards, etc.

AileeneG

I stopped at the DMV today after the SS office, and they said that they couldn't change my Drivers License until the SS office had finished processing my paperwork, which is usually done in 24 hours.  He did mention that if I had a letter from SS that said in big letters at the top that it was being processed, that they could do it, but they gave me a different letter confirming that I requested the change, so if you want to go the same day, make sure you get that specific letter from them saying that it is being processed.

Other than that, I don't think it matters.

AileeneG

Oh, and Blonde Jess has a name change kit that is super helpful. I printed it out when she sent it to me, I can try to find it, or maybe if she reads this, she has better access to it.

SoonToBeJLO

I think I'm just at the end of this process.... this has been my experience... 

I had to go the SS office first and then waited to go to the DMV until I had the new SS card.  When you go to the DMV make sure you have two pieces of mail with your address on it.  Luckily I had brought two magazines and letter that the new SS card was attached to that showed my address.  Otherwise I would have had to come back. I checked with the tag office and my registration on my car was updated through the DMV (I was confused on that one) and I just have to pay $6 to get a duplicate copy of my registration.  

My company required a copy of my new SS card and that changed my 401k, insurance and everything related to work.  

My credit card companies changed my name over the phone.  Car insurance was the same.  

The bank required my new SS card and I think the certified copy of the marriage certificate... I can't remember exactly.  I waited to go there until I had my drivers license.  

The one that really surprised me was PayPal! It took me three emails, and a phone call to get them to send me something other than a generic email telling me to email them through their contact us page to request a name change.  I did that three times and got that same email.  I called and then they sent me to a page that where i could print off a fax cover sheet.  I had to print that and fax it with in a copy of our marriage license and my new license.  After it is approved you have to delete and add back your bank accounts and credit cards.  That was the biggest pain.  

I just mailed off my passport with new pictures and the certified copy of our marriage certificate. They send it back but it will be a few weeks.  I saved that for last in case I needed it for anything else.  I was rushing to do that so I didn't wait too long and miss out on the one year window where you can change your name without a fee.

Hope that helps... It's been an interesting process to say the least.  

Good luck!

sarah42nd

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_florida-central-florida_changing-name?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:66Discussion:db6e00aa-11a0-4a43-86a4-0afd791da26cPost:064c8484-36ea-4461-b612-941d8cc6ad33">Re: Changing My Name</a>:
[QUOTE]Oh, and Blonde Jess has a name change kit that is super helpful. I printed it out when she sent it to me, I can try to find it, or maybe if she reads this, she has better access to it. :)
Posted by AileeneG[/QUOTE]


Yeah she sent me the kit and its great .

Theresa626

Thank you jeanine, that was very helpful!  Also I didn't know you had only a year to change your passport.  Good to know.  

Blonde407

Email me at Blonde407@aol.com and I will send you the kit Theresa :-)

I was able to get my DL changed first and then went to the SS office then I did all my bills and credit cards over the phone (they usually let you fax your ML but some like Brighthouse made me actually go to a location to show it) and then I did my passport last because you have to mail your ML with it but I got my new passport and ML back in a little over a week.  I also kept a copy of my marriage license in my wallet for a couple months just in case.