DIY Corner: From Miss to Mrs – Advanced Guide to Changing Your Last Name

Calling all future brides… we don’t want you to miss out on today’s tutorial! Since one half of this rookie team is now married and one is on her way to the altar, we wanted to share our personal tips & tricks to changing your last name. So let’s dive right in & make this dreaded process a little less dreadful.

1. Obtaining a Marriage Certificate for the big day!
   Apply for a marriage license at the County Clerk’s Office within 60 days of the marriage ceremony. Key detail: within 60 days of the ceremony. Speaking from experience, if you pick up this application before the 60 day mark… it will be EXPIRED before your ceremony date and completely useless. Not only will you be out $60, but you won’t legally be married right away and you’ll have to truck back down to the courthouse to start the whole process over.
2. Sending in your Marriage Certificate
   On the day of your marriage, have the officiant, pastor or priest SIGN the marriage certificate right alongside you and your new spouse’s signatures. If your church is really organized, they will mail this paperwork into the state to be approved, if not, make sure you bring this certificate (or application) back to the Clerk’s Office within a week or two to be approved and filed.
3. Picking up your official Marriage License
   Once the certificate is “approved” and filed through the state, pick up your official Marriage License back at the courthouse. It is not until this moment that you are “officially” married… legally that is. (Rookie Tip: You may want to pay for a few extra copies at this time… I think they were around $6 for an additional copy).
4. A new Social Security Card, NOT a new Social Security number
   Take the Marriage License, a photo ID  and this document to the Social Security Office to change your last name officially. (Rookie Tip: your name will change, the social security number will NOT). You will either get a new Social Security Card or they will mail you one within a week or two.
5. A new Driver’s License
   Take your Marriage License, a photo ID, and your new social security car and head on over to the DMV… don’t forget any of these important docs. Heck, the more identification you can provide the better. Get ready to pay another fee for that brand new ID.
6. A new title on your bank account
   Take that same Marriage License, your new photo ID, your new SS card and finally head to your bank. Talk to a banker to change your information on all of your accounts.

Don’t Forget…
Have your new photo ID, new SS card, marriage license, and anything else that identifies you as you OUT and ready in order to change your name at these important places:

• Work
• Credit Card Companies
• Utility Company/Cable Companies/General Bills
• Mortgage Company or Lease
• Insurance Company (maybe this will come with a marriage discount… seriously)
• Library Card
• Passport
• Cell Phone Company

Oh, and if your new name comes with a change of address (lucky you!), don’t forget to FORWARD your MAIL to the new place using these tips & tricks! Good luck to all of our bride-to-be’s tuning in…  We wish you good luck on your big day and a drama-free journey converting to your new last name.