Hello, happy newlyweds!
Here’s what you need to do over the next month or two to prove you’re married and even change your name.
Get an official copy of your Marriage Certificate from the County Clerk’s office where you got your Marriage License.
It usually takes 4-6 weeks from the date of your wedding for the County to process it. I recommend getting 2 copies minimum, but preferably 3 copies (and I’ll tell you why in a minute). You can order the Marriage Certificate right online through VitalChek or you can download the form from the County website, print it, sign it, and mail it in. You could even just print out the form and walk it in to the County’s office to have them issue you the Marriage Certificate right there.
CLICK HERE to get the contact info of the County office that issued your license.
Here’s how to change your name! (And who you might need to notify that you’re married even if you’re NOT changing your name)
Surprise! Just because you got married doesn’t mean that your name is legally changed. Get ready, because you have quite the task ahead of you.
You can legally change your name any time after your marriage, but some institutions limit the time you have to do the name change easily or for free (like with your passport).
- Americans only: Change your name at the Social Security office. You can go to the Social Security website for more details. Please note that if you mail in your application, you will need to send an official copy of your Marriage Certificate along with it and they don’t return it (hence ordering two copies!). By mail, you’ll get the new card within 10 business days. In person, they will give you your new card right there.
- Change your name on your driver’s license. For Americans, that means going to your local DMV with a copy of your Marriage Certificate, your old ID, AND your new Social Security Card (for Americans) with your new name. For those outside the States, please contact the government department that issues your photo ID for details.
- Change your name at work and notify them you got married. Now that you have your new ID, new Social Security card (if you’re American), and your Marriage Certificate, make sure HR updates all of your records with your new name. It’s also important to update HR with your marital status change due to things like emergency contact and insurance benefits.
- Change your name with your financial institutions. Start at your bank or credit union, where you will need to go in person with your Marriage Certificate and your new ID with your new name as well as your old ID with your old name for verification. Next, reach out to your credit card issuers, auto loan financer, landlord or mortgage company, investment companies, and don’t forget your insurance companies too (auto, home/renter’s, and life). Even if you’re not changing your name, marriage has legal ramifications for your finances, so make sure everything is up-to-date.
- Change your name on your passport. Oh yes! You need a new passport, NOT a renewal. Americans, fill out the DS-5504 form on the U.S. Passports website and print it up to take it to your local office.
- Change your name with everyone else, such as…
- Newspaper and magazine subscriptions
- Post office
- Doctor’s office (and dentist and optometrist and OB-Gyn or urologist, etc.)
- Voter registration
- Your lawyer (especially if you have a will, living trust, or estate)
- School associations like clubs and PTA
- Alumni associations
- Professional organizations
- Don’t forget your social media profiles like…
- Yelp
- TikTok
- Tumblr
Want to save yourself all this trouble? You can check out Name Change Process (that is my affiliate link) which is $40 for a whole kit with instructions in one go filled out with your info. You KNOW how much I love easy!!
However you choose to do this, good luck! 🙂