Name change help!

tcnoble · March 2015

I have searched the forums but thought I could get some more up-to-date help on this.

I'm filling out paperwork to add FI to my health insurance (after the wedding) and while I'm at it, I can change my name with them. But just to check - I don't want to submit this until my name is legally changed, correct??

So that being said - what is the suggested order of name change, as far as importance goes??

I have an extra day off work after the honeymoon and thought I could use it to knock out the SSA and DMV... if those are the places to start.

Any help from anyone who has recently gone through the process is greatly appreciated!

AprilH81 · March 2015

This might vary slightly depending on the state, but generally speaking the order is:

1) SSN

2) Driver's License

3) Work/Insurance/Banks

4) Utilities and everything else as you notice it.

I had to wait a few weeks before our marriage certificate was sent to us and I couldn't change anything without it.

SmileDamnit · March 2015

I'd look up the requirements for you state. In CO, you have to go to the SS office at least 24 hours prior to going to the DMV. Then I did banks. And al the random stuff after that.

ShesSoCold · March 2015

I went to the SS office first and the DMV immediately after. The DMV didn't need my new SS card, just the marriage certificate. For everything after that (credit cards, bills, insurance policies), I just called and they didn't even need any proof or documentation.

But yes, I would definitely not change your name on your health insurance until it's legal. You'd hate to have an emergency and get dicked around because of your name.

tcnoble · March 2015

AprilH81 said:
This might vary slightly depending on the state, but generally speaking the order is:

1) SSN
2) Driver's License
3) Work/Insurance/Banks
4) Utilities and everything else as you notice it.

I had to wait a few weeks before our marriage certificate was sent to us and I couldn't change anything without it.

I was worried this would hold it up... I have to submit the insurance paperwork within 31 days of the wedding, so I fear it is wishful thinking I'll have the certificate AND time to do all the changes in that time frame.

princessleia22 · March 2015

Don't change name on anything until after it's legal. It can cause problems.

You probably need marriage certificate before starting the name change. They told me it would take 6-8 weeks for mine to arrive, but it came in less than 2 weeks. So, you probably can't do anything until that arrives.

First stop would be SS office. I had to wait 2 days between SS and DMV. DMV won't let you change until after SSN is changed. Here, they get the info automatically from SS, but it takes up to 48 hours for it to update in the system. But, that timing can vary depending on your location. Some will let you change immediately.

After you have drivers license, you may need that to change name at banks. While I was waiting for my permanent license to arrive and had a temporary one, DH's car broke down and we bought him a new one. The bank wouldn't put the loan or car title in my married name since I didn't have my permanent license yet, even though I had already legally changed my name and had proof that SSN and license had already been changed. So, wait until you have the official license in hand before changing it other places, just to make sure you don't have trouble.

cupcait927 · March 2015

Honestly, I don't think it's going to be an issue if you change your name with your health insurance before you do it with the SSA and the DMV. I work for an insurance broker and used to process name changes all the time. All the insurance company ever asked for was the marriage license as proof of name change. We never asked people if they had changed it with the SSA and DMV first and the insurance companies (at least the ones I work with) don't ask either.

ETA - in the 6 years that I've been doing this job, I've never heard of one person that had an issue. I would've changed mine with the insurance company prior to the SSA but my HR office had to do it for me and they were the ones that insisted on the updated SSA and license, because they were changing everything for me - payroll, licenses, insurance, etc.

tcnoble · March 2015

cupcait927 said:
Honestly, I don't think it's going to be an issue if you change your name with your health insurance before you do it with the SSA and the DMV. I work for an insurance broker and used to process name changes all the time. All the insurance company ever asked for was the marriage license as proof of name change. We never asked people if they had changed it with the SSA and DMV first and the insurance companies (at least the ones I work with) don't ask either.

ETA - in the 6 years that I've been doing this job, I've never heard of one person that had an issue. I would've changed mine with the insurance company prior to the SSA but my HR office had to do it for me and they were the ones that insisted on the updated SSA and license, because they were changing everything for me - payroll, licenses, insurance, etc.

I would go ahead and change it but I still need the marriage license - which I won't have the day we get back from our honeymoon, when I'm sending in paperwork to add FI to insurance. I'll just have to send another change form in after my name gets changed.

OliveOilsMom · March 2015

tcnoble said:

cupcait927 said:
Honestly, I don't think it's going to be an issue if you change your name with your health insurance before you do it with the SSA and the DMV. I work for an insurance broker and used to process name changes all the time. All the insurance company ever asked for was the marriage license as proof of name change. We never asked people if they had changed it with the SSA and DMV first and the insurance companies (at least the ones I work with) don't ask either.

ETA - in the 6 years that I've been doing this job, I've never heard of one person that had an issue. I would've changed mine with the insurance company prior to the SSA but my HR office had to do it for me and they were the ones that insisted on the updated SSA and license, because they were changing everything for me - payroll, licenses, insurance, etc.
I would go ahead and change it but I still need the marriage license - which I won't have the day we get back from our honeymoon, when I'm sending in paperwork to add FI to insurance. I'll just have to send another change form in after my name gets changed.

I needed to send my marriage license (a copy was sufficient) to my insurance too. But my insurance accepted my H being added and the name change immediately, effective the date of our wedding. I had 90 days to supply the marriage license. So while H was fully covered, I would assume if something happened within that 90 day period and I did not give them the marriage license copy, we would have been 100% responsible for any medical bills H would have had in those 90 days.

tcnoble · March 2015

OliveOilsMom said:

tcnoble said:

cupcait927 said:
Honestly, I don't think it's going to be an issue if you change your name with your health insurance before you do it with the SSA and the DMV. I work for an insurance broker and used to process name changes all the time. All the insurance company ever asked for was the marriage license as proof of name change. We never asked people if they had changed it with the SSA and DMV first and the insurance companies (at least the ones I work with) don't ask either.

ETA - in the 6 years that I've been doing this job, I've never heard of one person that had an issue. I would've changed mine with the insurance company prior to the SSA but my HR office had to do it for me and they were the ones that insisted on the updated SSA and license, because they were changing everything for me - payroll, licenses, insurance, etc.
I would go ahead and change it but I still need the marriage license - which I won't have the day we get back from our honeymoon, when I'm sending in paperwork to add FI to insurance. I'll just have to send another change form in after my name gets changed.

I needed to send my marriage license (a copy was sufficient) to my insurance too. But my insurance accepted my H being added and the name change immediately, effective the date of our wedding. I had 90 days to supply the marriage license. So while H was fully covered, I would assume if something happened within that 90 day period and I did not give them the marriage license copy, we would have been 100% responsible for any medical bills H would have had in those 90 days.

Ours is similar - I have 31 days to submit the marriage license to get FI added... and I'm going to submit the name change after I have it squared away with SSA just to be safe!

lyndausvi · March 2015

I would just contact your HR department. Name changes on insurance is not as important as your DH getting on your insurance.

Depending on the company a name change might be nothing more than showing the marriage license and SS card.

If you have to add your DH and do the name change separately so be it.

princessleia22 · March 2015

The only reason I've heard to hold off on changing name on insurance until it is legally changed is that it could cause confusion if you have any appointments or medical issues between the changes. Like, if you change on your insurance, then get in accident and go to hospital, they would bill to your insurance under your new name and could cause issues with denials. I believe that you could resubmit to them and get it all covered, but it just creates more of a headache.

I got married 8+ months ago. I immediately changed it legally and at banks. I still haven't changed it with my medical insurance or doctors because I had some ongoing treatment and regular doctor appointments. I didn't want to deal with things not being processed correctly and the headache of calling places to resubmit the charges. It would have all been covered, it just may have required a few phone calls. I am finally finished with treatments, so I should call and get my name changed on medical stuff now.

tcnoble · March 2015

lyndausvi said:
I would just contact your HR department. Name changes on insurance is not as important as your DH getting on your insurance.

Depending on the company a name change might be nothing more than showing the marriage license and SS card.

If you have to add your DH and do the name change separately so be it.

Exactly my train of thought... and it isn't that difficult to send in a second piece of paper for my name.

littlemushroom · March 2015

If you are worried about getting your copy of your marriage license back in time, see if you can take the license in to the clerk instead of mailing it. I was able to walk the license in to the clerk's office and they handed me my certified copies before I left. The whole thing took 5 minutes.

I did the Social Security office first thing, went straight to the DMV after, then went to both my banks, and my car insurance agent to finish out the day. The entire process took about 2 and a half hours for everything. It was only that long because I had to wait 45 minutes at the DMV due to renewing my license at the same time I changed my name (I had to take the full written test again) and there was a wait to update my name on my car title and registration.

tcnoble · March 2015

littlemushroom said:
If you are worried about getting your copy of your marriage license back in time, see if you can take the license in to the clerk instead of mailing it. I was able to walk the license in to the clerk's office and they handed me my certified copies before I left. The whole thing took 5 minutes.

I did the Social Security office first thing, went straight to the DMV after, then went to both my banks, and my car insurance agent to finish out the day. The entire process took about 2 and a half hours for everything. It was only that long because I had to wait 45 minutes at the DMV due to renewing my license at the same time I changed my name (I had to take the full written test again) and there was a wait to update my name on my car title and registration.

For our county it says whoever performed the ceremony must submit the documents.. otherwise that would've been a great solution!

ashley8918 · March 2015

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=name+change+after+marriage

huskypuppy14 · March 2015

I didn't change my name, but I added H to my insurance after we got married. No one ever asked for our marriage license.

theartistformerlyknownas · March 2015

SS first - that is what legally defines what your name actually is. Then DMV. Then everything else.

I'd do adding him to insurance and changing your name with them in two different steps. It's not that much more work but a lot less worry.

climbingsingle · March 2015

My health insurance company wouldn't change my name without a copy of my driver license with my new name.

I went to social security first. Then the DMV. Then my bank. After that was my paycheck, credit cards, insurance, gym, lease holder on my car. I think that's it.

Name change help!

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