Now that the excitement of the wedding is over, it’s time to make sure you get everything changed after you take your partner’s last name. This can seem overwhelming, but it’s not once you know exactly what places you need to do a name update with. To help make things a little bit easier, this article is going to discuss 11 documents and ID’s that need to be changed after you take your married name.
Social Security Card
The most important thing you need to worry about is getting a new social security card. The reason this needs to be the first thing you change is because you need it for pretty much everything. Not only does it establish an ongoing relationship with the Social Security Administration, but it also helps prove your identity. While the exact process will differ from area to area, you’ll generally need to make a copy of your certified marriage license and complete the application for a new security card. You can either send this in or take it to the nearest office. Once that’s done, you just need to wait for your new card to come in the mail.
Driver’s License
Next, you’ll want to change the name on your license. This is important because you give your license to several different agencies to prove who you are. These agencies don’t usually accept a social security card by itself because there isn’t a picture, so you want to make sure the information matches. Once you have your social security card with your new name, you’ll want to take it to the DMV. You shouldn’t need your official marriage license, but you might want to take it just in case. Once there, you’ll just have to update all your information and take a new picture. It’s extremely similar to the process of renewing your license.
Passport
In order to travel out of the country, the name and information on your passport must match your license. If these things aren’t matching, there’s a chance you can run into some problems or even be denied entering or leaving the country. In order to change your name, you’ll need to fill out a form and send in the following documents: your current passport, your certified marriage license and a color passport photo. You’ll need to mail all of these things to the U.S Department of State. After sending everything in, you’ll just need to wait for your new passport and to be sent to you.
Voter Registration
If you go to the voting polls and present an ID that has a different last name than the one on your voter registration, then they will not let you vote. You’ll need to make sure you change your name in plenty enough time to get the new registration card in the mail. There are 2 main ways to do this. The first is just contact the voter registration office and see what you need to do. The other way is a bit easier, but might not be available everywhere. If it’s available, the forms you fill out when you update your license should have an area that lets you update your voter registration at the same time.
Deeds
You’ll also want to change your name with the different deeds you have. This includes your home and car deeds. It might not seem like an important thing, but you want to make sure you don’t run into any issues that result from names not matching. It’s pretty easy to do. For your home, you just talk to the mortgage company or go to the county office that has your property title. For the car deed, you can just go to the DMV and have it changed there. If you wanted, you could get this done when you go change your license.
Bank Accounts
The required documents you’ll need in order to change your name will differ from bank to bank, so the best thing to do is call and see what they need. There are a few ways to actually do the process. The first is to actually go to the bank in person and present the documents. They’ll be able to change the name on your account right there. The other way is to fax or email everything. This will take a little longer, but will give the same results.
Bills
The easiest way to get this done is to go to the actual office and talk to them in person. Take everything you need with you, so the process will go quickly and easily. It should be able to be changed the same day and you shouldn’t have to show much except your photo ID and possibly your marriage license. Remember, you’ll need to do this for each bill and you want to make sure you don’t forget any of them.
Credit Cards
You can change the name on your credit card accounts the same way you would your bank account. It can be a little hard finding an actual branch, so you might just have to fax or email everything over. Once they actually change your name, you’ll need to wait for your new card to come in the mail. Make sure you ask if you can still continue using your new card or if it will be deactivated.
Insurance
Another place you’ll want to make sure you change your name with is your insurance companies. This includes car, life and medical insurance. If you don’t go through the same company for them all, then you’ll need to start the process new every time. The best way to get this done quickly is to call and see exactly what they need. You can then get them the documents in the quickest way possible. Most times, they can change your name as soon as they receive these documents.
Will/Living Will
Some people might not realize it, but you also need to change your name on your will or living will. This is really just a formality and helps ensure that there won’t be any issues if something happens to you. To change your name on these, you’ll want to take all the required information to the place where the document is kept or talk to a lawyer to have them change it.
Employer
Your employer will need to have your updated name and information to make sure everything with your W2s are correct. They’ll also need it if they offer benefits, like a 401K plan. You can just take your updated information in and they’ll either take copies of everything and send it to HR or have you send it to HR yourself.
Doctor’s Offices
Finally, you’ll want to change your name at all your doctor’s offices. While this isn’t something that is of huge importance, it’s just much easier to have the names across all your documents match. For example, issues could come up if your name at your doctor’s office is different than the one at your health insurance.
These are the important places and you should be golden once you get everything changed. Remember, getting a new social security card is the most important part because you can’t do much without it! Make this your first priority and you’ll be able to easily change your name with the other agencies on the list.