Do people really use this?

Jessa617

I just received my marriage certificate so now I am going to start the name change process. I was researching on how to change my name on my passport (it costs $110!! yikes!), and I came across a website on google called MissNowMrs.

I looked at it because I wondered, hmm, maybe they will pay all of the fees if I sign up and do it this way. I looked through the site, what does it actually do? It gives you the forms to fill out and then you have to send the forms off anyways... what time is this saving me?

Do people really spend money just to get forms that they have to do the legwork for anyways? It seems kind of redundant.

QueerFemme

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_do-people-really-use-this?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:14Discussion:b7efb35b-7317-46e0-8329-24813bcacc1cPost:a1e5cacb-d19c-4ce4-be3d-b6cb3cf3ce88">Do people really use this?</a>:
[QUOTE]I just received my marriage certificate so now I am going to start the name change process. I was researching on how to change my name on my passport (it costs $110!! yikes!), and I came across a website on google called MissNowMrs. I looked at it because I wondered, hmm, maybe they will pay all of the fees if I sign up and do it this way. I looked through the site, what does it actually do? It gives you the forms to fill out and then you have to send the forms off anyways... what time is this saving me? Do people really spend money just to get forms that they have to do the legwork for anyways? It seems kind of redundant.
Posted by Jessalyn2013[/QUOTE]

It's just a way to suck some money from you.   Mostly, if you weren't internet savvy, and you had NO idea where to start and were afraid that you didn't know how to go to the SS office and the DMV, then it might be useful. But otherwise, it's a waste of money.

HobokensFury

It's a scam. It just gives you all of the forms that you can get for free on your own.

Jessa617

That's what I figured. People really fall for it?

I guess I am lucky that my SS office is the next town over as is the registry, so I don't really have to go very far.

MuppetFan

Well now I'm interested in knowing about this.  I just sent them an e-mail specifically asking about the passport.

One of the reasons I didn't change my name back to my maiden name when I got divorced was because i had just spent the time to change my name a few months earlier and I had to take a day off to do it and I had no more time off. (I also was embarrassed about getting a divorce and didn't want anyone at work to ask me questions)

You have to fill out the forms regardless, but for me, it would require standing in line at the DMV for at least an hour (when it takes me about 40 mins each way to get there) and the longest time I've ever waited in line at the DMV for anything was 6 hours (yes, 6). Then, I remember the social security line taking me a few hours and that's about an hour away from me house each way.  When I changed my passport, I was within the year so I mailed it in and it came back a week or two later but I didn't pay anything. I did spend a few months updating magazines and degrees and mail etc... here and there

The only thing here financially different fee wise might be the passport. I had NO idea I 'd have to pay $110 for it sheesh. I just sent this company an e-mail asking if it includes all fees for the passport and how they get around the $110. I will paste the response when I get it.

/Now you have me intrigued

krizzo17

I bought it - there was a groupon and it was only $10. Basically, you fill out one giant form with all the information about you ever, and then it fills in each of the individual forms for you and gives you a checklist of what you need to send to each place. Could I have done it myself? Sure. But it was nice to just fill out everything once and then hit "print all"

And yes, the passport fee is ridiculous. Especially since my passport at the time was only 2 years old

Peledreamsofrain

It's a scam.   You still have to do all of the legwork, they just give you the papers.  Which, I guess if someone's IQ is too low to look at a display at the DMV and read "Name Change Form", would be valuable.

The DMV trip still happens, the Social Security office still happens, etc.  You can't get around having to show up in person to do these things.  

Save yourself the money, and believe in your own reading skills at the DMV :P.

Jessa617

I guess it makes sense if the offices you need to go to are far away, or if you can't take the time off from work etc to get there.

My passport is 5 years old, but still... I think I paid less to get the damn thing in the first place!

MuppetFan

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_do-people-really-use-this?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:14Discussion:b7efb35b-7317-46e0-8329-24813bcacc1cPost:ef148edc-18ec-4c7b-b167-4f8fc5d815be">Re: Do people really use this?</a>:
[QUOTE]It's a scam. It just gives you all of the forms that you can get for free on your own.
Posted by HobokenBride2012[/QUOTE]

It's not a scam. It's a service. Like, I could clean my own house (which I do) or I could hire someone to do it for me (which I'd looove to do).  Or, I could do my own taxes (which I don't) or I could hire an accountant to do it for me (which I do).

A+ Business rating: <a href="http://www.bbb.org/washington-dc-eastern-pa/business-reviews/personal-services/blue-bird-llc-in-potomac-md-205048437" rel="nofollow">http://www.bbb.org/washington-dc-eastern-pa/business-reviews/personal-services/blue-bird-llc-in-potomac-md-205048437</a>

If it saves me a ton of time it might be worth the $30. But,  if it saves me from having to spend $110 to renew my passport... it would def. be worth it.

MuppetFan

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_do-people-really-use-this?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:14Discussion:b7efb35b-7317-46e0-8329-24813bcacc1cPost:6d7a9bf3-eb29-43e7-ab30-7f6e3e293164">Re: Do people really use this?</a>:
[QUOTE]I bought it - there was a groupon and it was only $10. Basically, you fill out one giant form with all the information about you ever, and then it fills in each of the individual forms for you and gives you a checklist of what you need to send to each place. Could I have done it myself? Sure. But it was nice to just fill out everything once and then hit "print all" And yes, the passport fee is ridiculous. Especially since my passport at the time was only 2 years old :/
Posted by krizzo17[/QUOTE]

Ok so you still had to go to all the places and stand in the lines and pay $110 for the passport?

If that's the case, then... this service sucks. I'll be with everyone else.

MuppetFan

I obviously didn't read the site very carefully. I just read that they update you when the change is complete, thinking it was all good. Now I'm reading it again....

You're all right. This sucks.

Peledreamsofrain

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_do-people-really-use-this?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:14Discussion:b7efb35b-7317-46e0-8329-24813bcacc1cPost:7329d2e3-f3cb-41c0-a50d-e94d0f505b00">Re: Do people really use this?</a>:
[QUOTE]I obviously didn't read the site very carefully. I just read that they update you when the change is complete, thinking it was all good. Now I'm reading it again.... You're all right. This sucks.
Posted by MuppetFan[/QUOTE]

<div>
</div><div>Lol Muppet.  You cannot escape the DMV, it shall follow you for eternity.....dooooooooom!</div>

MuppetFan

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_do-people-really-use-this?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:14Discussion:b7efb35b-7317-46e0-8329-24813bcacc1cPost:d216a506-87ff-4194-a9f5-66e62dbf1fcd">Re: Do people really use this?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Do people really use this? : Lol Muppet.  You cannot escape the DMV, it shall follow you for eternity.....dooooooooom!
Posted by Peledreamsofrain[/QUOTE]

I hate the DMV so much. SO much. It is soooo inefficient and no one cares. I believe that they should outsoure it to Dunkin Donuts. You will all be done within 5 minutes and you'd have coffee.

Jessa617

Ha.. Sorry Muppet.

 Yes, I think you don't avoid any fees for passports etc, you still have to go to SS office I think too. So really, you pay to have the forms filled out I guess. Then you print them out and go off to do your errands.

MuppetFan

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_do-people-really-use-this?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:14Discussion:b7efb35b-7317-46e0-8329-24813bcacc1cPost:17ad9c2b-bcaf-468f-939c-80709c0660ba">Re: Do people really use this?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Do people really use this? : Muppet - you may want to look into looking at groupon and seeing if they have deals for this. I know they had deals before. Not changing my name, but I think it is a nice idea that you don't have to spend all the time to hand write all of that paperwork.
Posted by snippet17[/QUOTE]

Not even worth $10 to me f I still have to stand in all the lines. I can fill out the paperwork while I stand there or type it out in advance. I now see the light.

Jessa617

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_do-people-really-use-this?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:14Discussion:b7efb35b-7317-46e0-8329-24813bcacc1cPost:9cb65d51-b912-4c57-aa42-616aa81f177b">Re: Do people really use this?</a>:
[QUOTE]C'mon guys, logic.  If a service charged you $30 and then paid $25-$135 in government fees, how would they stay in business?
Posted by StageManager14[/QUOTE]

They'd have to hope not too many people have passports!!

Are there any other fees besides the passport?

shaylagirl

Can you do a name change BEFORE the wedding?

I've got a passport card, and I'll be jiggered if I want to pay to have it changed when I've still got a few months that I can change it for free now.

(I know, I should google the answer to this, but I'm half-knotting and half-working).

Jessa617

I am going to assume no.

You can change your name any time you want, but you'd have to pay fees for the name change whereas with a marriage you don't have to pay for the name change.

krizzo17

The only place I had to stand in line was the DMV - you can even do your SS card by mail (the office near me is open like 2 hours a week; I had just started a new job and didn't want to take time off for that). I did everything else by mail (banks, credit cards, doctors offices, SS card, passport, can't think of what else)

Salsera29

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_do-people-really-use-this?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:14Discussion:b7efb35b-7317-46e0-8329-24813bcacc1cPost:889675be-fa43-4fc2-9e23-a94affdea3db">Re: Do people really use this?</a>:
[QUOTE]I was wondering this, too. I'm glad you asked. And as for passports... If name change occurs within one year of the passport being issued, there's no additional fee. I was doing the research last year, and found that out, so waited until this Spring to get my passport at all (which was something like $110, I think) and will apply to change it as soon as I can.
Posted by TheMissusLia[/QUOTE]

<div>Yay I am SO glad to hear this! I JUST renewed my passport for our HM, and I was thinking I'd have to pay another $110 in three months. Good to know!</div>

Peledreamsofrain

Is this where I brag about being in a low population state with absolutely no wait at the DMV and SS office? :P

Jessa617

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_do-people-really-use-this?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:14Discussion:b7efb35b-7317-46e0-8329-24813bcacc1cPost:621bc29d-0c5c-4529-833d-10900414fdf3">Re: Do people really use this?</a>:
[QUOTE]Is this where I brag about being in a low population state with absolutely no wait at the DMV and SS office? :P
Posted by Peledreamsofrain[/QUOTE]

I'll allow it.

Peledreamsofrain

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_do-people-really-use-this?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:14Discussion:b7efb35b-7317-46e0-8329-24813bcacc1cPost:e23a49a0-bbe5-4ba0-bd5a-d0f21158f346">Re: Do people really use this?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Do people really use this? : I'll allow it.
Posted by Jessalyn2013[/QUOTE]

Lol, when I get to the DMV, it's all:

<img style="background-color:#fff;width:387px;height:263px;" class="mainImage" src="http://cdn.blogosfere.it/thecrew/images/sahara.jpg" alt="" />


And it just KILLS me when they make me take a ticket, then the window immediately bings for my number.  I'm all "whew, order was maintained!"

Jessa617

Ok, now you've gone too far!