The Initial Change ...

How to change your Maiden Name!

With every state and county there are slightly different rules to changing your last name once you’re married. If of course you choose to change it at all! The general idea is here though … from hyphenating to changing, it’s all the same! There are also some tips about the initial change

Before the “I Do”

1. Tell bridesmaids, family, guests – anyone who will listen – you’re changing your name. You will have guests who want to monogram towels for you and you want to make sure those gifts have the correct initials.

2. When making honeymoon reservations, plane reservations etc. PLEASE make them with your MAIDEN NAME! I repeat, your MAIDEN NAME! It takes time to change your name and you won't have a passport or drivers license in your new name – you would not want to spend your honeymoon in the airport trying to convince security it’s you.

3. As a courtesy, tell your job you will be changing names. This way if they order new business cards, change paycheck companies etc. they will know and be prepared with the correct information.

After the “I Do”

1. You’ll want the government to know who you are so you’ll have to get a new social security card. Once you get your marriage license (which usually takes a couple of weeks to arrive in the mail), download a form from the Social Security website. Then take that completed form, the marriage license and your ID to your local social security office to get a new card. (If you've gotten creative with your last name, you may have an additional form to fill out)

2. Now that the IRS can find you during tax season, the police are the next guests on your list. Your driver’s license is easy; just take your marriage certificate to the DMV and they will change it up. Some state's DMV may require your new social security card but most will accept only the marriage certificate. Just contact your local DMV to be sure before you head over.

3. Now… just the basics at work. You’ll have to take your new social security card to your Human Resource department at the office and change your financial information. Even your taxes will change and you want to be sure to get credited correctly!

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For everyone else, including bank, insurance policies, credit cards, utilities, creditors, and membership organizations, type up a letter with all of your information on it, including name, address, new name, account number, and possibly your social security number, and include a copy of your marriage license. There should be no charges to change your name. Also, be sure to order new checks, new credit cards … new stationary.

After all the changes have been legally made, all you have to do it get used to the sound of someone calling you by a different name! It will sound funny at first, but as you start using your new last name, everyone else will catch on. Don't be afraid to courteously correct people when they erroneously use your maiden name.