Simply because you have recently obtained a marriage license that has your new last name, it does not however mean that you have officially changed your name. In fact, you may have thought that obtaining a marriage license was the difficult part but wait until you experience the lineups at the DMV and Social Security office. There is however a way that you can fast-track all of the paperwork in an easy to do manner. This fast-track information will be discussed within this article.
Prior to changing your name, you will need the certified, or original, marriage license that has the raised seal. You can call the clerk’s office where you had your marriage license filed so as to get copies. Sometimes these copies will be automatically sent to you.
After you have obtained the copies of your marriage license it now will be time to change your Social Security card. To do this you can order a replacement social security card online. As a side note, your Social Security number will remain the same but obviously your name will be different. Once you have completed downloaded application from the Social Security website, you now can mail it to your local Social Security office. You also have the choice of visiting your Social Security office and filling out the application there. Normally, it takes approximately 10 business days for your new Social Security card to arrive in the mail. You can online here.
Your next step will be to visit the office of your local Department of Motor Vehicles. Your local DMV will provide you with the different types of identification that you require. Typically, it will include your certified marriage certificate, your current driver’s license, and your new Social Security card. After you provide all of this information to your local DMV they will issue you a new driver’s license with your new name.
One of the more complicated steps after getting married is to change your bank accounts. This will be especially true if you decide to change an already existing joint bank account or if you want to set up a brand-new joint bank account. The quickest way to do this is by visiting your local branch office. Once again, bring in all of your newly acquired information such as your new driver’s license and new Social Security card. You will also be required to show your certified marriage certificate.
Besides changing the name on all of your bank accounts it is also important to request new debit cards, checks, and credit cards with your new name. There may be a bank fee if you request a new debit or credit card. However, many banks and credit unions will provide this service at no charge.
Now that you have a driver’s license and Social Security card in your married name, other important changes should come fairly easy. In fact, there are certain places that may only require a copy of your marriage certificate. Other places may only require a phone call or a change of name on a website. For example, some of these easier places to change your name include doctor’s offices, insurance companies, mortgage companies, credit card companies, landlords, employers & payroll, post offices, schools or educational institutions, utility or electrical companies, passport offices, your legal representative, your accountant, airlines where you need to transfer your miles, or voter registrations.
However, if all of this seems too overwhelming then there are certain companies that can fast-track all of your information and help you to avoid waiting for hours in long lineups. These companies provide various packages at affordable prices. With only a few simple steps you will be able to fill out only one form and have the company do all of the necessary paperwork. The advantage to you is that it will save you both time and money as you fill out only one form as opposed to many. These type of companies remove the confusion, mystery, and stress out of changing your name.
In fact, one such company is providing 3 different packages. The process will take your basic information that you provide online and then auto-fill it on to all of the forms that you will need to change your name. Besides doing all of the auto-filled forms, the company will also provide a complete set of instructions that will help you to understand how to complete and then submit each one of the provided applications. This type of company will never collect sensitive information such as driver’s license numbers, Social Security numbers, or passport numbers. You will need to fill out these fields on your own. You then date and sign each application before sending it off.
If an application needs to be submitted via the mail, the company will provide an address to where the application should be sent. The goal of this company is to take all of the frustration out of the “change a name” process. With the company’s assistance you will not need to be concerned about where to begin, which type of forms you will require, how you should fill out those forms, which order to submit the applications, where to submit them, what to include when you are submitting a form or application, and so much more.
It should be noted that you can fill out all of the name change applications on your own. There are many people who do this for whatever reason. However, after a wedding, many couples decide to utilize the services of a company that can do all for them. Remember, these type of companies will never ask for personal information. You still will need to provide this on your own as you fill out each specific form or application for the federal government or state agency.
Rest assured that companies that provide this service will have a very secure cyber security. In fact, most companies like this will utilize a cyber security that is monitored 24/7 by not only their own internal team of security experts but also by an outside cyber security firm. Therefore, whether you decide to fill out and hand in all of the forms on your own or whether you decide to choose a company that provides this type of service, it is good to know that you have a choice.
