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Name change in Virginia

mmakowmmakow
in DC

Has anyone already gotten married and changed their name in Virginia? Since the Virginia marriage license does not include a spot for your new married name, I have heard different things from different people (including the social secuirty office and the Arlington County courthouse) about what I need to do to change my name. If you have gotten married in VA and changed your name, what did you need to do to change your name?

Also, is it a different process for just taking his last name versus taking his last name and changing your middle name to your maiden name?

Thanks!!

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Re: Name change in Virginia

  • flip4emflip4em member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I changed my name pretty easily last fall. You get the marriage license at the Arlington County courthouse (put your maiden name on it). Then after you get married, you fill out the form to receive a certified copy of your marriage license. You take the certified copy of your marriage license to the social security office (there's one in Rosslyn) to change your name on your social security card. This is where you select your new middle and last name. After you receive the new social security card in the mail (it took about 2 weeks), you can go to the DMV to change your name on your license. You'll also have to change it on your car title (if you have one in your name). I think you have to pay for the new license and to change the car title but it was like $20 total. Don't forget all your credit cards, bank accounts, passport etc... It's exhausting but take it one step at a time. I still haven't changed it on everything since some companies want you to fax them a copy of your marriage license then call them. 
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  • mshrader15mshrader15
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    I just took our Marriage license to the social security office and dmv and got my name changed.  I didn't need my new Social Security card to go to the DMV actually was able to do it before I even went to the social security office.
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  • Lyss5782Lyss5782
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    edited December 2011

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  • lilmizdncnqueenlilmizdncnqueen member
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    edited December 2011
    Check out missnowmrs.com - it gives you the correct paperwork for your state.

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  • 2dBride2dBride member
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    edited December 2011
    Although getting married does not actually change your name, changing your name when you get married is common enough that the Social Security Administration will accept a marriage certificate as proof of a name change.  Start with them, then get your driver's license changed, and then everything else.

    So long as the new name is some combination of yours and his, you shouldn't have troubles, regardless of whether you are keeping your old middle name, making your old last name into a middle name, or have two middle names for the future.
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