The week after I got back from my honeymoon, I set about updating all of my records at work, as well as requesting a few copies of our marriage license. I also ordered my kit from Name Change Express, which definitely saved time by providing many of the forms I needed. Next up, it was time to apply for a new social security card, made that much easier by the fact that there’s a liaison office right in our work complex.
Within a couple weeks, I had my new identity, and throughout the month, I began to make contact with all the necessary agencies and companies. Then, at right around the two-month mark, I followed up with everyone who failed to follow through the first time. And now, three months after the wedding, I’m thrilled to say that I am officially done with every last thing. It feels great to officially be a Mrs.!
LESSON LEARNED: As you head into your name change, hit the ground running and just get it all out of the way. Yes, it will be pain. Yes, you will have to follow up with those who lose your forms or don’t remember to send you the information you need. Don’t let it bother you. Just treat everyone as nicely and politely as you can, stay positive, and before you know it, you'll be a new woman! Plus, as you implement the change, don’t forget to update your info with doctors, utilities, magazine providers, and other smaller companies you might not initially think about in the beginning.
Did you start your name change right after the wedding? When a looming project is less than exciting, do you tend to dive right in or take things one piece at a time?
(Photo & Graphic Credits: Alex Neumann Photography & Google Images)
Having watched several friends deal with the process, I'm not looking forward to it - but I will take your advice when the time comes and just quickly handle it!
ReplyDeleteGreat tip!
ReplyDeleteAs you know, I decided to keep my name!
ReplyDeleteDo, however, appreciate how *easy* it is for a woman to change her name. If your husband wanted to have taken yours, it would have been a legal process where you'd have to go to court to settle it.
I am constantly surprised (I guess, I shouldn't be) by how unequal our government and laws really are.
I started the name change process right after I got back from the honeymoon and have updated it with most of the major places like social security, DMV etc but there are still places I need to update with and I just do it as I have to pay a bill or as that place contacts me. It's definitely a hassle.
ReplyDeleteGood for you for staying on top of everything! I've decided to keep my name for the time-being. My fiance agrees that it seems like a lot of work to change it, so we decided to be lazy for now ;)
ReplyDeleteLove the organization. Mr. Budget and I are still playing around with the idea of hypenating my last name. Well at least I am because he is totally against. But my dad doesn't have any boys and I want to keep his legacy. Who knows... we'll cross that bridge when it comes. LOLOLOLOL
ReplyDeleteSo exciting! I can't say that I'm looking forward to what seems like such a daunting task.
ReplyDeleteThree months! Wow, that took much longer than it took me. I was officially done with my name change within the month we got married. I took one Friday off of work and went to the Social Security office, DMV and bank. Then I made a few phone calls and faxed my marriage license to the companies that needed it. By 3 PM that Friday I was done!
ReplyDeleteI only had to wait for my new credit cards and SSN card to show up in the mail. It was so easy that I have been stuck wondering why it took other ladies so long to get their names changed.
Way to go for getting it all done so quickly, Laura! I had definitely made initial contact with everyone within the first couple weeks, but it sounds like I had a lot more places to reach out to than you did, including a few that required various steps and follow up. I have a rather unique job, and there are a lot of steps that have to be taken before certain things are made official here. Plus, I'm counting the time it took every last card to arrive as part of the three months.
ReplyDeleteIt's a year later and I have nothing changed (not living in the country anymore makes things hard too of course). I'll hit the ground running when we're here for a week next time!
ReplyDeleteI thought I had a really easy time getting all my name stuff in order, but of course I still get a ton of mail with my old last name. I just figure that as long as my bank accounts, drivers license, and social security cards are okay, everything is just fine.
ReplyDeleteI can't even get the state of California to update my voter information or driver's license and I moved a year ago! I am definitely dreading the name change!!
ReplyDeleteThese are great tips! I've been dragging my feet on my name change...I've read some painful sounding yelp reviews about the closest SS office, and just haven't made the time to go there yet.
ReplyDeletethanks for the tip! it seems liek such a daunting task it's nice to hear some places to begin, and about that packet!
ReplyDeleteGreat info. I'm not looking forward to all the tedious stuff but I can't wait to be able to change my name officially :)
ReplyDelete