Congratulations! You are married! What a wonderful event in your life. By now, you have talked about what your last name will be. Do you change it? Hyphen it with your husband’s name? Maybe your husband has decided to take your name. There are even some couples who make up an entirely new last name together. Whatever you decide, below you will find a helpful check list to make sure that whatever name you choose, the process will be a smooth and easy one.

The first step is to obtain a certified copy of your marriage license. You will need this official document when you go to various institutions and government offices. Your marriage license is your legal proof of the new name change.

Marriage records can be kept on the state, county, or town level. The best place to start is to contact the clerk’s office where you took out your marriage license application. They can tell you the fees and proper procedures. If that doesn’t work, the next best place is your state’s Vital Records Department: http://www.state.ia.us/

After you have obtained a certified copy of your marriage license, start with your Driver’s License and Social Security Card. Obtaining these changes first can make it easier to change your name at other organizations. Many places are not used to working with a marriage license, but will not question a valid Driver’s License or official Social Security Card.

SOCIAL SECURITY CARD

You will need to obtain an Official Form SS-5. This form contains detailed instructions for both a name and address change. Fill it out and mail it in with a copy of your certified marriage license. http://www.ssa.gov/online/ss-5.html

DRIVER’S LICENSE

Your driver’s license and automobile registration will both need to be changed. You will need to appear in person to your local Department of Motor Vehicles. Bring your marriage license and another form of ID, such as your current driver’s license, a U.S. Passport, or a certified copy of your birth certificate.

In most offices, you can also change your name on your voter’s registration at the same time.

OTHER CHANGES TO CONSIDER

ü Internal Revenue Service Official Form 8822

http://www.irs.ustreas.gov/forms_pubs/forms.html

ü U. S. Passport Official Form (s) required:

DSP 11-application

DSP 19-amendment

DSP 64-lost/stolen

DSP 82-application by mail

http://travel.state.gov/download_applications.html

ü U. S. Post Office Official Change of Address Form

http://www.usps.gov/moversnet/coa.html

ü Voter Registration

http://www.fec.gov/pages/electpg/html

ü Medical Organizations Notify all of your medical providers of your new name/address change: Medical Plan, Dental, Physician, etc. The enclosed Notice of Name Change Form should be filled out and taken with you. They may have additional forms as well for you to fill out.

ü Financial Organizations Notify all the financial organizations that you deal with: Credit Cards, Banks, Insurance Companies, Retirement Plans, Investment Broker, etc. The enclosed Notice of Name Change Form should be filled out and included along with a copy of your marriage certificate.

ü Utility Companies These companies include: Cable company, Gas, Electric, Water, Sewer, Cell Phone, Home Phone, Pager Company, etc. The enclosed Notice of Name Change Form should be filled out and mailed with a copy of your most current bill. Each company may have particular forms for you to fill out as well.

ü Membership Organizations Professional Associations and Recreational Clubs Use the enclosed Notice of Name Change Form.

ü Legal Documents These can include: Will Living Will, Trust Documents, Power of Attorney, Contracts, Beneficiary Forms, Health Care Proxy, etc. Each document will have it’s own requirements, so contact your attorney to help decide which forms you will need.

Notice of Name/Address Change Form

Business/Organization Name_______________________________________

Address_________________________________________________________

City_______________________________State__________Zipcode_________

PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT THE FOLLOWING MEMBER HAS CHANGED THEIR NAME.

Current name____________________________________________________

Member #________________________________________________________

New Name ______________________________________________________

Address _________________________________________________________

City_______________________________State__________Zipcode_________

Phone Number_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________Date___________

(Sign new name here)

________________________________________________________________

(Print New Name here)

Enclosure: Certificate of Marriage

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