We always assumed changing your last name was a hassle after marriage but it isn’t! Take a look at the easy steps below to get everything changed and up to date after your nuptials.
STEP 1: Marriage Licenses – Before changing your name, you must have the original certified copy of your Marriage License. In case
you don’t receive your marriage licenses; you can simply call the office of where the license was filled and have them send multiples to you, we recommend 3 copies.
Step 2: SSA – visit Social Security Administration website (http://www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber/) and fill out their application for a CORRECTED social security card. SSA will need evidence of age, evidence of identity, evidence of US Citizenship, and evidence of immigration status. In most cases, once all is verified you can take or mail the signed application with your documents to any Social Security office. Any documents you mail to us will be returned to you. Visit (https://secure.ssa.gov/apps6z/FOLO/fo001.jsp) to find the Social Security office or Social Security Card Center that serves your area.
Step 3: DMV License Change – In order to change the name on your driver’s license you will need to bring multiple forms of identification such as your old license, your certified marriage license and most important your new Social Security card you just received from Step 2.
Step 4: Passport Update – If you travel out of the country a lot this is definitely something you will need to change. This step requires a lot more details than the others so pay close attention. If your passport was issued more than a year ago, you must complete Form DS-82, Application for a U.S. Passport by Mail; Complete the appropriate form and attach your original marriage certificate or a certified copy of your marriage certificate, after processing it will return to you; Attach two recent color photographs to your application. The photographs must provide a clear image of your face from the top of the head to your chin and must be 2 by 2 inches; Include the current renewal fee is you are submitting Form DS-82. No fee is required if you submit Form DS-5504; and Finally Mail Form DS-5504, your current passport and the supporting material to the National Passport Processing Center, Post Office Box 90107, Philadelphia, PA 19190-0107. Mail Form DS-82, your current passport and supporting materials to the National Passport Processing Center, Post Office Box 90155, Philadelphia, PA, 19190-0155. This may be a bit confusing so start at this website; which offers the application for a new passport (http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english.html/) :
Now that you have your corrected social security card, driver’s license, and passport in your married name, everything else you will need to change should be pretty easy now. Most things require proof of marriage license, social security card, or driver’s license; which are all things you have already taken care of.
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