Congratulations! You are married! AND you want to change your last name!
Here are the steps to make that happen!
Get Your Marriage License and Certified Copies
When you're applying for your marriage license, ask if you can purchase certified copies in advance. (We recommend buying three to start.)
Update Your Social Security Card
You can either apply for a new social security card by mail or in person at your local Social Security office. If you plan on going to the Social Security office in person, save yourself some time by filling out the application for a social security card in advance. You will need to bring the following documents
Proof of citizenship (valid passport or certified copy of birth certificate)
Proof of Name Change (copy of marriage license)
Proof of Identity (valid driver’s license or state issued ID)
Your current Social Security card
Get a New Drivers License
After the Social Security office, wait at least 24 hours before going to the DMV. This will give enough time for your updated information to get into the system. Updating a driver’s license must be done in person. You will need to bring the following:
Receipt from Social Security office (just in case) or new Social Security Card
Current Driver’s License
Proof of address (lease, mortgage documents, insurance documents, or bill/bank statements)
Certified copy of marriage license
Checkbook/cash (most DMV’s charge a credit card processing fee)
Get a New Passport and Travel Documents
If your passport is less than a year old, you’ll be able to change your name without paying a fee. The fee for a change and a new passport book is $110. All passport changes must be applied for by mail. The U.S. The Department of State has put together a link to make it easy to fill out the form. Once you’ve filled it out, send the following to the National Passport Processing Center:
Complete form DS-82 (which can be filled out online
A certified copy of your marriage license
Your current passport
A check for the passport fee, made payable to “U.S. Department of State”. Your full name and date of birth must also be typed or printed on the front of your chek.
A recent color photograph, 2x2 inches in size, that meets passport photo requirements
Change the Name on Your Bank Accounts
As soon as your identification has been updated with your new name, head to your local bank branch to update the information on your bank accounts. Most banks will require it to be in person. Be sure to request both a new set of cards and checkbooks. The following documents must be brought if going in person:
A certified copy of your marriage license
Your new Social Security card
Your new driver’s license
Change the Name on Your Credit Cards
The process for changing your name on your credit cards will vary from company to company. For example, American Express has a form on their website (in the Account Services tab) where you can edit your personal information. You'll need to upload a supporting document (they request your driver's license, state ID card, or passport) that shows your new name, and once processed, a new card will be mailed to you. Other companies request that a certified copy of your marriage license be mailed to them in order to process the change. Contact your credit card company directly to determine the best way to have a card issued with your new name.
Provide Your New Name and Bank Information to Your Employer
Now that your ID and bank accounts match, contact your company's human resources office or payroll processor to provide your new information as soon as possible. This way your checks will be issued with the correct name, and direct deposits will be processed correctly.
Update Your Insurance Information
Whether you're combining insurance policies or are simply updating the information on your own policy, this is a major change you need to make as soon as possible to ensure you're covered in the event of a claim. You will need a copy of your marriage license to move this along. Planning to combine your coverage? Make these changes all at once. Marriage is considered a major life event, so you also have the opportunity to change your health care coverage, even if it isn't an enrollment period. For auto and home insurance, adding an additional vehicle or a new home to your policy could result in some great savings if you combine multiple policies with the same company.You won't need to call your doctor's office or dentist about the change to your insurance. Instead, head to your next appointment a few minutes early (with your new insurance card and ID in hand) to make the changes in person.
Update Your Mortgage, Rent, and Utilities Companies
With your new name and new payment information in hand, it's time to update the payment information for your mortgage or rent, and your utility companies. Most can be easily updated online in your account portal or on the phone, and should be as simple as typing in your new last name and entering your new credit card number or bank routing information.
Review Your Credit and Debit Card Statements for Auto Pay Accounts
From Netflix and HBO to the hosting for your blog, we've all got smaller automatic payments that happen monthly that we can sometimes forget about. Look through a couple months of statements on all of your cards and accounts, keeping an eye out for regular payments that you're making automatically. Log in to those accounts to make the change, then input your new credit card or banking information and update your billing information with your new name.