Name change hints - I hope this helps someone! (LONG)

Noron · February 2010

Hi all -

I just finished the name change process today and thought maybe I could give some of you a hint of at least how long it took and what you need (I know I always wondered that; maybe someone else does, too!).

First, I went to the Social Security Office (the one on Lawrence, FYI). They just changed over to a new computer system today - lucky me! - and it took about an hour and 15 minutes. I'm guessing it'll be around 30 minutes when they understand how to work the new system. SS Office Note: bring your marriage certificate, driver's license and a completed SS-5 form(http://www.ssa.gov/online/ss-5.pdf). Also, if you're planning on using your maiden name as your middle name, make sure you tell them that! Also worth noting, a new Social Security card is free! It should be mailed to my house in a week or two.

Second, I went to the DMV (the Express one on Diversey). This only took me maybe 15 or 20 minutes, and cost $25. DMV Note: bring your marriage certificate, driver's license and STATE ID. I forgot my state ID and had to return home. If you don't have one, it's not a big deal - but if you do and don't bring it, they won't issue a license without it. Also worth noting, the DMV can update your voting record, so that was really helpful!

Next I went to my bank (Chase). I needed the marriage certificate and proof of my old name, so I probably could've done this first...although I kind of just gave him all my forms, so maybe he did look at my new IDs? Anyway, my H and I already had joined accounts before the wedding, so I could change my name and authorize them to send me a new card and us new checks. However, we both have to go back and update our signatures. For some reason, we must be together for this. I also changed my name on our mortgage - just a simple call to customer service and they're sending me a form.

For ComEd, I placed a call to their customer service and they updated my name over the phone. For People's Gas, I need to fax a copy of the marriage certificate and a letter stating my new name to 312.240.3991.

For my passport, I need to mail the old one, the marriage certificate, and two new photos with this form: http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/80142.pdf. Since my passport was issued a year or less ago, this is free for me.

PHEW! I think that's it. Sorry this is so long-winded but I really hope it helps someone! Let me know if you have any questions or if I left anything out!

raeyn · February 2010

That's very helpful. Thanks, Nora!

rajkumari · February 2010

I wish this was posted last year. Is there a way to make this searchable for future knotties? the search on here s*cks!

Noron · February 2010

No problem, Lindsay! I know you'll need it really soon!
And Raj, I know. I'm hoping the new search can pull this up...? But I do know all posts are archived, so maybe that way there won't have to be 1,928,392,293 posts asking about name changes anymore. *crosses fingers*

raeyn · February 2010

Sadly I won't be needing it quite as soon as I'd like. I have to wait out the 4-6 month immigration process first. I'm worried if I change it before I'm approved for conditional residency the paperwork will get messed up and it will take even longer.

Noron · February 2010

Yuck. I waited to change mine until my taxes were done for that same reason - I don't trust them to NOT screw up!

kmrazek · February 2010

Thanks! Also - future husband and I were thinking about merging accounts now to make things easier (already living together, so paying the bills would be a TON easier with just one account) - did you have any problems doing this when you're not married? I haven't inquired with the bank yet, but I wasn't sure how much of a process it would be since we're not legally married yet.

Noron · February 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_illinois-chicago_name-change-hints-hope-this-helps-someone?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:72Discussion:e585ab34-ab04-4943-8cfd-e5d0e0cc83f9Post:50dc17d7-9baa-485a-aa5a-e92f6b8d4c07">Re: Name change hints - I hope this helps someone! (LONG)</a>:
[QUOTE]Thanks! Also - future husband and I were thinking about merging accounts now to make things easier (already living together, so paying the bills would be a TON easier with just one account) - did you have any problems doing this when you're not married? I haven't inquired with the bank yet, but I wasn't sure how much of a process it would be since we're not legally married yet.
Posted by kmrazek[/QUOTE]
We combined right after getting engaged (it was much easier to save for the wedding that way). Getting me signed up on H's account was super easy...I'm pretty sure you can have anyone sign up on a joint account with you and the bank won't think twice about it. The problem we did run across bank-wise was cashing checks addressed to Mr. and Mrs. Hislastname after the wedding. Maybe this was a Chase problem? Not sure, but what we ended up having to do was have H sign them and have me sign them with my married and maiden name. Kind of a pain in the ass, but it worked out in the end.

kthame · February 2010

Nora this is AWESOME. I just emailed it to myself and filed it in my "name change' folder, which I just created, thanks to you!

You ROCK!

sgylling · February 2010

This is great, I did the same thing and emailed it to myself. I know I will never find it on here again! Also I have heard that bank thing from a bunch of my friends, that if it is written to both, it has to be signed by both. Boo. We are still trying to figure out when to do the joint account thing. I'm kinda dreading updating all my accounts and cards, etc. Oh well!

Thanks so much for the info!

kmrazek · February 2010

Thanks again for the name change info, and the idea to email it to myself to save it for future reference!

Also, thanks to everyone on the advice for the bank account thing - I think we'll merge them now, and deal with possibly signing every check with both names. I think that's a problem I can handle

jessNlane52804 · February 2010

Thank you so much for posting this! I am not looking forward to this process, but it will be worth it once all the paper work is done. Do you know what the wait time is for the passport? It's likely that I will change my name before the HM, so I just want to make sure to get it in plenty of time. This reminds me: does anyone know about booking airline tickets during a name change? My hunch is that the name on my ticket needs to match the name on my passport and license. So I guess I would just use my future name when booking the honeymoon? (HM is 5 mos after the wedding)

Zello · February 2010

Hey Nora!

I am almost done with my name change process too! I decided to mail my info to the social security office and should be getting that back this week. I'm surprised by the DMV story regarding your state ID! I used my state ID to send to the social security office, and this week I went to the DMV to get a new DL. They never said anything about my state ID. Also-it only cost me $5! I wonder why it cost you $25. I thought it was going to cost me that but then was pleasantly surprised. I am waiting until I get my social security card back for DH and I to file our taxes, just because I know I will need to click that little box that says "name does not match W-2". DH is getting anxious. haha. I haven't done anything else yet with banks, credit cards, etc. Why must the girl have to go through all of this! lol.

Noron · February 2010

[QUOTE] Do you know what the wait time is for the passport? It's likely that I will change my name before the HM, so I just want to make sure to get it in plenty of time. This reminds me: does anyone know about booking airline tickets during a name change? My hunch is that the name on my ticket needs to match the name on my passport and license. So I guess I would just use my future name when booking the honeymoon?[/QUOTE]
I don't know the wait time for the passport, but yes - definitely make sure you book the trip in the name that will be on your passport and ID at the time of the honeymoon.

[QUOTE]I used my state ID to send to the social security office, and this week I went to the DMV to get a new DL. They never said anything about my state ID. Also-it only cost me $5! I wonder why it cost you $25.[/QUOTE]
Maybe the lady at the DMV hated me and wanted my day to suck even more? Not sure, but I do know why it cost me $25 - $5 was for the new DL, $20 was for the ID.

Noron · February 2010

Also, just to clarify - when anyone joins accounts and a check is written out to both people, you'll always need both to sign it, to my understanding. The problem we had with the wedding checks was that I hadn't changed my name with the bank yet, so there was no Noron Newmarriedname on the account. Therefore, H had to sign and I had to sign twice - once as Noron Newmarriedname and once as Noron Maidenname. The bank didn't tell us that until H tried to deposit everything.

And you're welcome ladies! I'm happy I could help!

Zello · February 2010

Nora-

Somehow forgot you were getting both a DL and ID. THe $5 was just for my DL.

Oops.

Rie028 · February 2010

Thank you SO much for posting this. I am just about to start the name change.

mocandy555 · February 2010

I'm not sure if and when I will change my name but I defintely printed out this VERY VALUABLE information. Thanks so much for taking the time to post it!!!

Name change hints - I hope this helps someone! (LONG)

Re: Name change hints - I hope this helps someone! (LONG)

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