Name Change

The wedding is over and you’re a married Lady! Congratulations newlyweds! So now what?

Once you have the Certificate of Marriage from the state it’s time to change your name. Some choose to spend the $30.00 for a service like “Miss Now Mrs.” and others choose to do it all themselves. Either way works, it’s just a matter of personal preference.

Social Security
Social Security is a must on the list of things to do. Below is a link to all the information they will need and the forms you will need to print.
Social Security Name Change

Driver’s License
The Department of Motor Vehicles will be next. Below is a link to their website that tells you what to bring. The applications to change both your license and your vehicle registration are there as well.
DMV Name Change

Your Passport
If you are leaving for the Honeymoon right after the wedding, remember to travel with your maiden name, because those with miss matched names don’t fly well… Applications are in the link below for after you get home!
Passport Name Change

The Passport requires an Original Certificate of Marriage.

Some are uncomfortable sending their only copy on a vacation so soon after receiving it. Me? I always like to have an extra copy of everything “just in case”. If you were married on Long Island or anywhere in New York State other than NYC, here’s your link to get copies.
Vital Record Copies in NY (not NYC)

If you were married in one of the 5 boroughs belonging to the City of New York, Manhattan, Kings, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island, here’s your link.
Vital Record Copies in NY

Other things to think about:

  • Credit Cards
  • Bank Accounts – Investment Accounts – Mortgage Company / Landlord
  • Insurance Policies – Health – Life – Auto
  • Work Related Information (changing your status to file jointly next year, adjust how much is taken out of your check every week, and if your health care plan is through work)
  • Utility Bills (Does this sound like I am micro managing? You’ll need to do this if you are changing your address! Speaking of which…)
  • Post Office
  • Medical Records – Doctors Offices
  • Legal Documents such as Wills
  • Memberships – Voter registration (anywhere they may question your ID not matching their files… )

The last thing I am going to mention is that this is a time when a lot of you personal information is in transit. If you are considering and identity theft prevention service such as Life Lock, now might not be a bad time to register.

I wouldn’t destroy that old Driver’s License just yet but believe it or not this isn’t as daunting as it looks in print, and you are already on your way!

Courtesy of Pastor Marie April Gismondi

Sara Shonfeld - Rabbi & Interfaith Officiant, WeddingWire Couples' Choice Award Winner 2017

Sara Shonfeld - Rabbi & Interfaith Officiant