Changing your Name

jesibel14 · September 2010

Good Morning!

I'm a little bit confused on the whole name changing process. I need a copy of my marriage license to change my name at work, the bank, all that.

Does the JP typically mail a copy to the bride and groom after the wedding? If not, where does she send it to? Or, do I just go back to the City Hall where we applied for the license and get a copy?

Shazzie116 · September 2010

We got a copy from the town where we filed for the marriage license. It's not up to your JP to mail you a copy.

The first thing I did was change my SS card, and that came within a week, so I took it and another copy to the DMV to change my license and registration, as well as at work and the bank. I also did my passport right away because we were traveling overseas 6 months after the wedding. I haven't changed over credit cards or student loans or anything like that yet.

noodle_oo · September 2010

The JOP mails the license back to the state to be recorded. Most places do not send you a copy unless you specifically request one. So you probably need to go back to the town hall where you applied and request a copy.

SummerBoston10 · September 2010

Just to add, you may want to order two originals as some places (like SS, passport, etc) require an original. They mail it back to you but its possible that you will need an original for something else, like the bank, in the meantime.

You have to check with each credit card, bank, student loan, etc. to see what they require in order for you to change your name. Some just take care of it over the phone and some require you to mail them a copy of the license with a letter. Don't forget to change things like frequent flier account names because many of them won't let you use a FF number unless the name on the account matches the name the ticket is booked in. Your name is on so much stuff and I have a feeling the name change process is going to take awhile before being completely done!

megandjay · September 2010

The JP or whomever (priest in my case) mails the certificate to the clerk's office where it was issued. It cost us $20 for a certified copy from the clerk in our town (not sure if the price varies).

I plan to apply for my SS card first, since I have to mail in my passport along with it. And then do the new drivers license- because you will need ID to change the other stuff (and you want your ID to match your credit cards, etc). Then I will do credit cards, work, bank, bills, etc.
Oh and the passport has no charge for the name change if you do it within a certain period of time.

jesibel14 · September 2010

Thanks for all of the information girls!
I'll swing by City Hall to get a certified copy and do the SS card first (good to know about the passport since we're going to Europe in the Spring).

2dBride · September 2010

We got our marriage license in Worcester, even though we were married north of Boston. There was a page on the City Hall site that allowed you to check whether the marriage had yet been recorded, and order a copy of the wedding certificate online once it was. Given that we went back home to the DC area the day after the wedding, that was much more convenient for us than going back to City Hall. I'm not sure whether al Massachusettsl jurisdictions have something like that, but it might be worth checking yours.

Changing your Name

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