How to change your name after you get married

After all the excitement of planning your wedding, and the wedding day itself. It’s important to remember the less exciting process of changing your name, if you choose to do so and all the other boring legal processes that go along with it. This article will guide you through the easiest and most streamlined step by step post wedding process.

The marriage license you obtain before your wedding ceremony is the document that gives you and your fiancé the authorization to be legally married. The marriage certificate is the document that certifies and proves that you are legally married. If you get your marriage license from Sevier county in Tennessee you can expect to receive two copies of your marriage certificate in the mail within two weeks after your wedding day. They are both certified copies, one is a decorative keepsake and the other one is more of a working copy. Both are legal documents that can be used to change your name. If you got your marriage license in another county or another state, then you may need to file for your marriage certificate or pick it up from the courthouse. It’s a good idea to order a couple additional certified copies because you’ll be lugging them around town to several different offices. They may get smudged, ripped or frayed. It will probably be necessary to hand over your certificate to employees so they can make a photocopy to keep on file. An often encountered mistake occurs when the individual on duty unintentionally hands you the duplicate they just made and leaves your original in the copy machine or sends it off to another location. To avoid this common mistake, always run your finger across the embossed seal to feel the texture and ensure your getting your original back.

The first place you’ll need to update your name is at the social security office. The reason for starting here is because the name on your SSA records must match the name you’d like on your new driver’s license and passport, otherwise your request for both will be denied when you try to update them. You can find the closest social security office to you at this link - https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp The process in the office will be much easier and faster if you complete the application for a new social security card (find it online here - https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ss-5.pdf ) and gather the necessary documents listed below ahead of time.

• Proof of name change. If you’re simply taking your new spouses last name, you just need a certified copy of your marriage certificate.
• Proof of citizenship. A valid passport, your birth certificate, or a certified copy of your birth certificate will work.
• Your new Social Security card, or your receipt from the Social Security office.
• Valid photo identification. A driver’s license, unexpired passport, military I.D., or state-issued I.D. card.
• Your current Social Security card. (You’ll keep the same number after your card is replaced.)

The second step is to change your name on your drivers license. Wait at least 1 day before heading to the DMV to give the SSA computer system time to update. If the driver’s license office can’t confirm the change on the federal level they won’t be able to complete your request. Make sure you remember to bring the following document with you to the DMV office

• Your new Social Security card, or your receipt from the Social Security office. 
• Proof of address, if required in your state. (This could be a bill or bank statement, insurance documents, a lease, or mortgage documents.)
• A certified copy of your marriage certificate. (This will be returned to you.)
• Multiple options for payment. Some offices do not accept credit cards, so you’ll want to have cash or a checkbook on hand in case.

The passport office should be your third stop. If you have a passport, you'll need to update it with your new name. Most of the time this is done by submitting an application for a passport renewal by mail, but it can also be done in person at a passport acceptance facility. You’ll need to provide your current passport, a certified copy of your marriage certificate, a passport photo, and the required fee if your passport is more than 12 months old. There is no fee for updating your passport within 12 months of its origination. If you have an international trip planned shortly after your wedding, you’ll probably want to wait to change your name on your passport. The name on your ID must match your boarding pass. This could pose a problem if you’ve made travel arrangements using your maiden name and are traveling on a new passport tat has been updated with your married name.

Your next step will be to update your name with banks, credit card companies and insurance companies. Each institution will handle this differently so contact each one to request the necessary forms and information. More than likely they are all going to ask for a certified copy of your marriage certificate, your new Social Security card and your new driver’s license, that’s why we put it fourth on the list.

Next update your monthly independent payments including mortgage/lease, utility companies (gas, electric, water), car payments and student loans. Most of these updates should be easy and straightforward. Lastly, notify your employer and provide them with the necessary documentation to update your employment records and payroll. Also remember to update social media accounts, your email signature, business cards, and other professional materials with your new name.