What steps do i need to take to change my last name and do i do it before or after the wedding? Also where do i go for a marriage license and are there fees for changing your last name?
2007-03-01 06:43:35 · 20 answers · asked by Panda 2 in Family & Relationships ➔ Weddings
If you are changing your name you change it following your honeymoon (dont try to do it beforehand, it can screw up your plans).
FIRST, make a list of all your credit cards, bank accounts, people you pay bills to on a monthly basis - like your utilities, landlord, phone, cable, insurance, etc. so that you will have it when you get back from your honeymoon.
Then when you return you will need to go to your local social security office (usually located in the federal building) be sure to take the marriage CERTIFICATE (signed by officiant and witnesses) with you, its all the proof you should need for this one. Next, you will need to go to your local DMV and change the name on your license. Then you will need to contact all of those places that you put on your list and change/update your information with them as well.
As for fees... most places do not charge a fee for updating your name... it is in their best interest to keep current information, after all.
For your marriage license you go to your local courthouse, if they dont give them out there they should know where to go for them. There is a fee for a marriage license, and some states have other stipulations as well (waiting periods, blood tests, etc) so be sure you ask for all the details they can give.
Good Luck
2007-03-01 07:06:33 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Check out fireyourweddingplanner.com. She offers a great name change kit that has everything you need. For a marriage license, you need to go to the county courthouse of whatever county you will be married in, not just the county you're from. You may need blood tests and physicals before you can apply and you may need to make an appointment to go fill out the paperwork. There is usually a 24-48 hour waiting period before you can pick it up. There are some fees involved, like the marriage license might cost around 30 bucks. Also, the social security office will charge you a small fee. You don't change your name until after you're married and the marriage license has been signed and filled out. Make sure you take copies of it everywhere you have to go to change your name like the bank, the ss office, etc.
2007-03-01 16:08:40 · answer #2 · answered by tehuskey513 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can go to your town or city offices to get a marriage license, and you change it after the wedding. I do not know if you can legally before the wedding. There is a fee for a marriage license. You also need to change your social security card, and change your name on that.
There are also a lot of little things and places you need to change the name, like the bank, your drivers license, and all of that!
2007-03-01 15:00:39 · answer #3 · answered by Colleen Cook 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go to the Social Security website and download the application. it will give you all the info you need. Its free for the new card. then you can take your marriage certificate to the drivers license office and they will change it there too. there is a fee for that change but its less then 20 dollars. you will have to do all that after the wedding because both places require the original copy of the wedding certificate. as far at the marriage license you will have to look in the yellow pages for your local court office. make sure you look into in plenty of time because in the state where i live you have to wait a certain amount of time after you apply for your license before you can get married.
2007-03-01 14:48:09 · answer #4 · answered by Queen of the Nile 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Get a new social security card
Once you get your marriage license (which usually takes a couple of weeks to arrive in the mail), download a form from the Social Security website. Then take that completed form, the license and your identification to your local social security office to get a new card. (if you've gotten creative with your last name, you may also need to go through more formal name change procedures.)
Get a new drivers license
You'll also want to change your name on the other main form of identification – your drivers license. Most DMVs will change it with a copy of a marriage certificate, although others require you to wait until your social security card has been changed. Check with your local DMV for their rules.
You will also need to tell your HR person at work about the change so your new name matches your SS card.
2007-03-01 14:50:00 · answer #5 · answered by KathyS 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Call your local courthouse to find out where you go to get a marriage license.
The officant and 2 witnesses will sign the license after you say your vows.
They will send the license into the recorders office.
You need to request a copy of the Certificate (from teh same plcae you got your license - usually they give you info on how to do that when you get your license)
Once you get the Cert, go to your local Social Security office get the name on your SSN changed and a new card, take the cert to the DMV to have your license changed.
Then you can change things like bank records and credit cards (they usually require a copy of the certificate)
My advice, make a list of all teh places you need to change your name with:
Utilities, lease or mortgage, bank, credit cards, work etc.
Dont change your name at work until you get your bank account name changed - that could cause problems if you get a chweck made out to your married name and the bank name is different.
Hope this helpes.
2007-03-01 17:20:37 · answer #6 · answered by Kristin Pregnant with #4 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You change your last name after the wedding. You will need to present your marriage license as proof. Start by changing your license or ID at your local motor vehicles department, followed by your social security card and passport. You can then start changing your name on credit cards, utility bills, etc. There are no fees for this.
2007-03-01 14:52:14 · answer #7 · answered by Xiomy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are no fees. After you get married. You need your marriage certificate, Drivers license and Birth Certificate go to the social security office and tell them you got married and need to change your last name. They will provide you with a new SS card. You will then need to go to the BMV and change it on your drivers license and call your bank and any outstanding debtors and let them know your new last name.
2007-03-01 15:20:07 · answer #8 · answered by harleychickfatboy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ok, i am going thru the same things right now. you change your name on everything after the wedding, when you have proof - your license. you need to change your social security card (free, you just have to go to the nearest office and explain to them that you want to change your name and provide proof of marriage - your marriage certificate. you need to change your name with the bank(s) that you are at, your car title, pretty much everything "legal" and state-wise. your marriage license can be obtained from the city court house of where you will be having the wedding. you need to check there for the fees that they have and the waiting time between applying for and getting your license and you also should remember that you are going to have to change your license. when you go to make the changes, bring your certificate with you!! if you have any more questions, please eamil me at amymrgrt@yahoo.com....
2007-03-01 14:51:58 · answer #9 · answered by amymrgrt 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, you do have to wait until after you are married. After you get married you will need to take your marriage license to the social security office (you must start here) and apply for a new card. They will give you a temporary card to take with you until the real one comes in the mail. You take the temporary with you and go to the dept of motor vehicles and any other place you need to change your name and ask them to change it.
2007-03-01 14:52:48 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋