Changing my name help

mkovacik

So, I live in Annapolis but I'm getting married in Orlando, FL where I'm from and I recently saw on their board a post about how to change your name after you get married... It's a while till I get married, but it got me thinking about the procedure for doing that here in Maryland. 

Any married ladies want to share how to go about changing your name after the wedding?  I'm completely clueless!!

Thank you!!

LauraT25

You have to bring your marriage license to the social security office first.  Then after a few days you can go to the MVA and change your driver's license, car registration, etc.  If you have a passport you have to do that separately - check it out online.  Most other stuff (credit cards, magazines, etc) you can do online or over the phone, but some things (insurance) may need to be done in person.

bmoremegan

Definitely do the SSA first, in person. It only took me 3 days to get a new card, which was really quick. Then you can do everything else, like the MVA. Change your license before you change your bank account. I did everything else either online or over the phone, including bank accounts, insurance, etc.

Get a few certified copies of your marriage license-a lot of places don't take just a photocopy (but they all return the copy to you). Also, EVERYTHING costs money! It kind of sucks. And they just raised the passport fees too.

Here's a link to changing your passport: http://travel.state.gov/passport/correcting/ChangeName/ChangeName_851.html
And here's a link from the nest: http://ideas.thenest.com/money-advice/money-questions/Articles/checklist-changing-your-name.aspx

HTH! I just did this a month ago so it's pretty fresh

Ashley42410

Here is some step by step advice from a recently married friend...hope it helps: Try and keep records of everything if you can. Make sure you set aside some money in your new family budget for all the fees associated with this process. *Your Honeymoon* Not sure if you are going international or not, but if you are make sure your ticket information is in your maiden name (like your passport). It will create a huge hassle for you if it isn’t. And keep in mind you will have to fill out all the Customs documents separately from your husband because you still technically have different names. (1.) First things first you need to decide what your new full name will be. But definitely make your final decision and stick with it across the board. A lot of stolen identities happen during this process.  (2.) Order extra certified copies of your marriage certificate for agencies that require originals before allowing you to change your name on documents, such as the department of motor vehicles. I got about 4 copies. I kept one in my purse with me for a few months after the wedding just in case and put one in our safety deposit box and used the other two for the name change process (the agencies that need originals). Some places require to keep and/or make a copy of the certified copy and some will allow you to send or give copies of the certified copy. Definitely read the requirements for each application carefully. I just went to the Annapolis Court House to get my certified copies but you can also order them online but they are more expensive then getting them in person. Here is the website:www.aacounty.org/CircuitCourt/License/MarriageLicense.cfm" target="_blank">http://www.aacounty.org/CircuitCourt/License/MarriageLicense.cfm I also made a few copies of the copies and kept them on hand. (3.) Your next step is to request a new Social Security card. Call the Social Security Administration at (800) 772-1213 or visit their website www.ssa.gov/online/ss-5.pdf" target="_blank">http://www.ssa.gov/online/ss-5.pdf to obtain forms and instructions. You must do this first after your get your certified copies. You can’t get a new drivers license reflecting your new name until you have the new social security card in hand (I made that mistake and wasted my time at the MVA). (4.) Make an appointment to visit the department of motor vehicles for a new driver's license. www.mva.maryland.gov/DriverServ/Apply/apply.htm" target="_blank">http://www.mva.maryland.gov/DriverServ/Apply/apply.htm Ask in advance which www.mva.maryland.gov/DriverServ/Apply/proof.htm" target="_blank">documents you'll need to bring in order to certify the validity of your name change (old license, certified copy of marriage certificate, social security card, and birth certificate). Now that you have your new social security card, driver’s license and certified copies of your marriage license- the rest of the steps can be done in any order really. I did try to list them on level on importance. (5.) Obtain and complete a Passport Amendment/Validation Application (Form DS-11). http://travel.state.gov/passport/forms/ds11/ds11_842.html Send this along with appropriate fees, your current passport(s), and a certified documentation of your name change (such as a certified copy of a marriage certificate or court papers) to the nearest passport agency. (6.) Update your bank account(s) and savings account(s) information. I had to go in to my bank and provide a copy of my marriage license for them to update my account. Order replacements for checks, business cards, credit cards and other documents that contain your old name. Make sure you update the companies on your new address if applicable. *Make sure you have a discussion with your hubby about your banking plan, i.e. separate accounts, 1 joint account, or separate and joint accounts. It will make the process a lot easier. If you switch to one joint account, make sure you switch over all your automatic withdrawal accounts. Keep your separate account open with a $ buffer until you’re 110% positive everything has been transferred correctly. (7.) Call employers and schools (if you are a student) to let them know your new name, and ask them to change it in their records. This is particularly important so that they update your federal and state tax documents. You should also update your beneficiary forms. Getting HR to change my name at my work was a huge pain in the ass and I really hope you have an easier process than I’ve had. It’s been 8 months since I changed my name and I had to have them fix my name again just last week when we were issued new security badges. I’m glad I still keep a certified copy of my marriage license with me. I also made a scanned copy that I keep in my gmail account so it’s always accessible from a computer. (8.) Change your name on your car registration (fee & application info on mva website). Change your name with your health, dental, vision, car, homebuyer/renters insurance (make sure you let them know you’re married- your rates may drop!) and mortgage/leasing companies. *Talk to your hubby about combining and changing your health, dental, and vision insurance to family plans. Your rates will usually drop. Most companies require a “qualifying life event” to change our insurance plan and marriage is considered one of them but again you’ll need the certified copy of your marriage license. (9.) Contact the post office, utility companies (BGE, cable, etc.), cell phone company, and registrar of voters (you may have the option to do this on your drivers license application) www.elections.state.md.us/voter_registration/index.html#Update" target="_blank">http://www.elections.state.md.us/voter_registration/index.html#Update and any companies that bill you- such as magazines about your name and address change. Combining your cell phone contracts can sometimes save you $ too. (10.) Update any online accounts you have set up- Ebay, Paypal, Amazon, etc. Some will require a phone call or even a fax of a certified copy of your marriage license. Make sure you change your mailing address! Another thing people don’t think of right away is their frequent flier programs or hotel cards. So that’s a good thing to get updated when you have free time. Another thing- I made a new email account with my new married name. I created a new gmail account. There is a way to transfer all your contacts over from your previous account and your google calendar. Then you can just send a mass email to everyone with your updated email address. Then all you’ll need to do is have your old email account forward to your new account. Make sure you respond with your new account only and it will make the transition a lot easier for people. This was really only an issue for me because my old email address was my maiden name.

 

mkovacik

Thank you so much!  I know that's going to make my life so much easier when the time comes!