Name change

katiektb

I'm sure this has been asked a ton of times.....but can someone please walk me through the name change procedure.
My main concern is if I have to have a certified copy of the license from the county before I go to the social security office and secretary of state.
Thanks!!

thecatsfancy

You have to have a certified copy of the marriage license.  Both Social Security and Secretary of State require it.  At least in Genesee County, they do.

Step 1 - Go to Social Security and change your name.
Step 2 - Go to Secretary of State and change your name on your driver's license.

jennifer0124

In Macomb county they said we could use the copy we received that day.  I didn't have any trouble at SOS and haven't gone to SSA yet.

Knottie1435582995

It HAS to be a certified copy for the SSA.  They will not take any copies.  It says on their website, as well as in the waiting room that only copies CERTIFIED by the holder of the records will be accepted.

In Wayne Co., they told me to wait 10 days after the wedding to come get my certified copies.  I went it on the 10th day, ordered the copies and they were available for pick-up after 1:00 the following day.

Also, I'm not sure why the SOS (a state wide org.) would vary from county to county, but I had to have a CERTIFIED copy at the SOS in Wayne Co. (Canton).  I opened my folder to pull my certified copy out and my copy given to me the day of the wedding was on top, and the lade immediately said "We cannot accept that one, it must be certified."

Also, Taryn is correct, you have to go to SSA FIRST, and then to the SOS.  The SOS in Canton actually made me show them the letter I got from the SSA showing I changed my name there.

allikl62

I highly highly recommend www.msnowmrs.com. Amazing website that takes you through everything needed for name change.  It costs about $30 but it will fill out ALL of the forms you need for everything (ss card, drivers license, passport, even credit cards, banks, etc.) and it also tells you exactly what you need to bring with you for everything.  IMO TOTALLY worth it!

thecatsfancy

No offense, but Miss Now Mrs is a total rip off.  All you need to do is go to the courthouse and get a certified copy of your marriage license.  Then, go to SSA, fill out a short form that they hand you at the door, and change your name.  Then, take the print off they give you at SSA plus your certified marriage license to SOS and change your name there.  It really is easy.  I did it all within 2 hours.

As for changing my name on credit cards and bank accouts, I called the 800 number and changed it over the phone.

Kimbus 87

In Oakland County you also need certified copies for both.

Knottie1435582995

I agree with Taryn.  Paying money for a guide is a total waste.  It's super easy to do (though time consuming w/ all the phone calls, etc).  You literally fill out two forms.  One from the SSA which you can print off here:  http://ssa-custhelp.ssa.gov/cgi-bin/ssa.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=315, but you MUST have a certified copy of your marriage license for this.

Then, you go to SOS w/ your certified marriage license, the letter SSA gives you, and you fill out a brief form there.  You might want to change your car registration and voters registration while you're there too.

Everything else can be done by phone and/or fax.  My only experience that differed w/ Taryn is the bank.  I bank w/ Comerica and I had to physically come into the bank and give them a certified copy of my marriage license to change any of my bank account info.