1. The Big Two
Change your name after marriage first on your social security card and your driver's license. Change these two documents the week after you come back from your honeymoon. Take your marriage certificate to your local social security office and fill out an SS-5 form. SSA Publication #05-10642 details the specifics. You can also call (800) 772-1213 to get a form by mail. You risk having your tax return rejected if you fail to change it before your next filing. Your next stop should be to the motor vehicle office. Not all motor vehicle offices service driver's license changes, so check ahead of time. While you are there, change your name on your motor vehicle registration as well. Changing your name to your married name on your driver's license and social security number first will make it easier to change it for everything else.
2. Married Money
When you begin the process to change your name after marriage, decide whether you are going to share your accounts or keep them separate. Contact your bank for their required procedure. Order new checks and an ATM card. Remember to change any money markets, CD's, credit cards and department store cards as well. Make a copy of each of your driver's licenses for you and your spouse to carry with you when making deposits. Some banks will require proof of both names for identification.
3. Back To Work
For changing to your married name at work, go to your Human Resources or payroll department to get the forms necessary to change your name on your pay checks. Some companies will allow you to print the forms from the company's intranet. Make sure to change your name for health insurance, 401 K and other retirement accounts. Also, change your beneficiary and your emergency contact information to your new spouse. Since this is a health insurance defined, "life changing event" add your husband or wife to your insurance. You can also add your spouse's children to your policies at this time. Consider taking out additional life insurance for yourself or paying extra to receive benefits in case of death of your spouse.
4. Make it Easy
Go to your local post office and get their free moving kit. It will work well for changing your name following marriage. Use the cards to mail to all the institutions with which you do business. Keep all the mail you get and go through it once a month to change from your maiden name to your married name for each company. Some companies will allow you to change your name over the phone. Others will require a mailed copy of your marriage certificate.
