|
Name and Address Changes
Whether you're following tradition and taking
your husband's name, hyphenating, or making any other change
you want legally recognized, here are the steps you'll need
to follow. (Of course, these same steps apply to him if he's
changing his name too.)
The good news is that this is not yet another task you need
to accomplish before the wedding. Until you receive your signed
and sealed marriage certificate back from the registrar, you
won't be able to begin the official name change process. (You
could start in advance on minor things like changing magazine
subscriptions and ordering new checks with your married name,
but that's about all you'll be able to do without that certificate.)
Given that fact, be sure to book all airline tickets for the
honeymoon under your maiden name - obviously your ticket will
need to match the name on your passport, and even if you're
not traveling abroad, all airlines now require a photo I.D.
which matches the name on the ticket.
Once you receive your official marriage certificate, the first
step of recording your name change is with the Social Security
Administration. Obtaining a Social Security card showing your
new name (your number won't change) is free and fairly easy.
You can download the required form, SS-5, along with instructions,
from this page of the administration's website: www.ssa.gov/online/ss-5.html.
Or you can pick up the form at your local office (click here
to find your nearest office). Mail or bring the completed
form, along with the documents specified in the instructions
included with the form, to your local office. The administration
will return your documents right away, followed in a couple
of weeks by your new Social Security card.
Next comes the pleasure of a visit to the Department of Motor
Vehicles to update your driver's license. You will need to
appear in person for this change. Bring your marriage certificate
and new Social Security card, as well as your new proof of
address if you've moved as well. Don't forget your old driver's
license, which you'll have to surrender in exchange for an
interim card until the new one arrives by mail. For more information
on changing your name with the DMV, visit the California DMV's
Web site at http://www.dmv.ca.gov/dl/dl_info.htm
Once that's done you've essentially established your official
identity with your new name, but there are still many more,
less crucial changes to make. Some of the following simply
need to be notified about the change; others will require
official proof, so don't file that marriage certificate and
Social Security card away just yet. Don't forget to change
your name with:
-
Your employer
-
Your bank
-
Your mortgage company
-
Your passport
-
Property titles or leases
-
Credit card companies
-
Investment accounts, including 401(k)s
-
Car registration and insurance
-
Utility companies
-
Insurance policies (life insurance as
well as health and dental)
-
Your doctors and dentist
-
Any memberships, such as your health club
or alumni association
-
Voter registration
-
Magazine subscriptions
One major organization you don't need to notify
about the change is the Internal Revenue Service - the Social
Security Administration will automatically tell the IRS about
your new name (creepy, huh?). Don't worry if your W-2s or
other forms still list your maiden name; simply cross it out
and write in your married name when you file.
Information provided by Bridal Guide
Brookside Farm is operated by Family
Care Foundation.
All proceeds from weddings support the charity
work of Family Care Foundation, as do car donations. Click
here to make a car donation, truck donation, RV donation or
boat donation to Donate
Car to Charity |
