I'm getting married in May. When should we apply for a marriage license?

Question

Also, what's all involved with changing my name? I'm taking his last name. Who do I need to contact, and when should I do it?

Answer 1

As far as the license goes, ask the county recorder's office in the county you are getting married in. Where I got married, you had to have the license more than 48 hours before you could get married, and it expired after 2 months. So, you need to know when is too late, and when is too early. Where my brother got married, there was a 2 week waiting period after they got their license before they could get married.

As far as changing your name, you'll need copies of your marriage license after you sign it. I don't know if they have to be certified or not. You'll need one of these just about anywhere to show you've changed your name because of marriage. Start with your local social security administration office to get a new social security card. As far as other places you need to change your name (credit cards, home loan, school if you are still in school, etc.), call them and see how much documentation they need. You can go from there and figure out on your own where you should change it first. It doesn't take much time, but it does take a bit of running around to get it all done. I had mine changed pretty much everywhere within a week. Just call around and see what documentation you will need to change it at each necessary place, then you can figure out where to start. It's not as complicated as a lot of people say it is.

Answer 2

It may vary from state to state, do a google search and see what your states laws are as far as waiting periods and blood testing, also any age requirements.

My wedding is Saturday, we applied for the licence this past Friday, their is a 72 hour waiting period in Mississippi, so I will pick it up this afternoon. We did our blood test last Saturday, and had to get the results back before we applied for the license. that usually takes 2-3 days. Your blood test results are only good for 30 days, so you will need to do it sometime a couple weeks before the wedding if this is required.

As far as name change, what I have been told is after the wedding to go to the SS office first and get a new SS card with the name, then go to the DMV and get your new license with it...make sure you have your marriage license for all that stuff. Once you have new ID's change it at your bank, any loans or credit cards you may have, etc....

Answer 3

It varies from state to state. My wife and I were married last June. We went to the court house three weeks before the wedding. In Texas, a marriage license is good for 30 days after issue.

I'm sure your state has this information on a web site. Try a search with "your state's name" + "marriage license" as the criteria.

As for changing your name, I'm pretty sure this is standard. Take your birth certificate, your marriage license, and your current driver's license to your licensing office to get a new one.

BE SURE, if you are taking your husband's name, to make the changes IN ALL areas, not just a driver's license. This means credit cards and any revolving accounts, any bank accounts, any memberships, and the like. My wife just bought something off eBay, and it came in the mail addressed to her maiden name. You have to hunt some of these things down. Be sure to make a list and check them off when done.

Answer 4

My husband and I got married in May as well. I would get it now just so you know that you have it. We got ours in March and it came almost a week before our wedding. As for changing your last name, there is a spot on the marriage license application that asks what both parties names will be after the marriage. You also would need to contact the social security administration to change your social security card and the dmv as well. Good luck and congratulations!!

Answer 5

Now! As far as changing your name the first thing you should do is get a new social security card ID and Drivers license. Then change your name with your employer. After that any bank acounts you may have. Those are the most important. You will think of all the other places you need to change your name with everyday. Congrats!!!!!

Answer 6

I'm as well getting married in May. I just went and got my marriage license on Thursday. In CA it's valid for 90 days. I just wanted to be done with, so now I can forget about it. There's no deadline technically just prior to the wedding.

If you're taking his name you have to wait until after the ceremony and when your officiant files your marriage license. Once that's done and you go to pick up the license from your county clerk then you take it to Social Security. Social Security will issue you're new name. From there you have the two required documents to change your name for all vendors/accounts. Your license and social security verification will be all you need.

Answer 7

When I got married, I got the license about 6 weeks before the wedding. You could get it now, I think they are usually valid for 90 days, check at your town/city hall.
If you are traveling somewhere for your honeymoon that requires a passport, I suggest getting it in your maiden name, because your drivers license, credit cards, etc. already have that name on them and it will avoid confusion. If you are flying, I would also make any travel reservations in your maiden name.
After you return, you will need to change your name on your license and registration. You will also have to go to your local Social Security office and change your name with them. Then, there's stuff like your credit cards and other bills. Lastly,
don't forget to call any magazine subscriptions and change your name/address if necessary.
Congratulations!

Answer 8

I dont know if laws are different whereever you live, but when I got married (here in california) my license was good for 90 days. So you can get your license as of right now if the laws are the same.

For changing your name, you need to take your marriage certificate (after you get married of course) to the Social Security office and they change it there, its quite simple. you should do it right after your wedding so that you can change your name on your ID, at work, school, etc.

Good luck and congratulations!!

Answer 9

Call your town office of statistics. They will tell you when you need to apply for the license and when to pick it up. You both will have to go to the town together with ID to apply. Some states have a waiting period. Some states the license expires after 60 days, sop you might not need to go just yet. Call first; today.

Answer 10

as far as name change...you have to bring your marriage license to motor vehicle and social security to change license and ss card and thats it. Your name is legally changed once that marriage license is signed. The bank and such also needs to know you got married and have a different last name.