1. We bought a house!!!
2. We got married!!!
3. We got a dog!!!
4. Aren't 1-3 enough?! lol
More on all of that later though. For now: here is my journey through changing my name. Which IS GREAAAT because right now I sigh everything Michelle DiFalco-Velthuizen. Yeah. It's a blast...
STEP 1 Marriage License
Get a certified copy of your marriage license from your town clerk's office. There may be a small fee ($20ish) The certified copy has a raised seal on it.
STEP 2 Social Security Card
Bring your marriage license and this form to your local social security office. (just print page #5) Along with your valid drivers license (I brought my passport too, just in case)
GO THERE IN PERSON. Find your local office here. Do not mail the forms as you will get them back. They need to see your actual driver's license (not a photocopy that I tried to send) And unless you feel comfortable mailing your license, in person it is!
I have to say I got there at opening time and it took about 20 minutes including a 10 minute wait. They check your stuff and give it all right back. They mail your new card to you in about 2 weeks. Easy as pie! FYI it is a new card with your new name but you keep your original S.S. number (thank goodness!)
Here is a link for more details: click here
STEP 3 New License
The dreaded DMV. I am still in this process as I moved and changed my name... so I have postponed doing this task. But this is what you need to do:
Bring you current license or ID card, a change of name request form, and your marriage license with you. And a check because it costs $30. I got lucky and my license expires this year so I think I only have to pay the $75 renewal and not the $30 on top of that... but I will let you all know.
*Update: I only had to pay $70 to renew my license! I changed my name and address and renewed it in only about 30 minutes! If you bring your passport or birth certificate you can get a verified license for (i believe) $30 more. Apparently in the next few years you will need either a verified license or a passport to fly EVEN domestically. So if i had know I would have brought my passport with me and bit the bullet.
I was in and out in 30 minutes. I went at 11:30 and beat the lunch rush!!! :-) Easy and pain free - who would have thought?!
STEP 4 Passport
First you will need a new photo. GO TO AAA. It only costs $12 (even if you are NOT a member) and they will retake it a few times if the first try comes out horribly! And they are so so nice there!
The new passport: It will cost $110 to change your passport (because you are essentially renewing it) UNLESS you got year passport within one year of changing your name. Then it is free. If you didn't have one before this, it might be a little more. You need to fill out a DS-82 and provide a certified copy of your marriage license, a photo, your most recent passport, and a check. It takes about 4-6 weeks to get your new passport. Call your town clerk's office to see how/where to submit your passport stuff or look it up here.
To fill out your DS-82 try this link
STEP 5 The rest of your life... lol
Change everything else! lol.
Suggestions:
Bank Accounts (you have to go in for that one- bring your ID, Marriage License
and new Social Security Card *note: I only needed my marriage license
for my bank)
Credit Cards (i just called mine and verified myself, and they sent me new ones)
Pay role at work
Maybe a new email address (mine had my maiden name in it)
Life insurance policies (update your name and the beneficiary)
Investments
Best of luck to anyone changing their name and congratulations on getting married!
