Changing Your Name

After the marriage takes place, a bride can choose to legally take her husband's surname as her own. It can be overwhelming to look at all of the places you'll need to make this change, so follow a step-by-step process.

Don't forget to follow the same process when it comes to changing your address:

- Get a copy of a certified marriage certificate with a raised seal that verifies its authenticity. Simply call the office where you acquired the marriage certificate if they don't automatically send you copies.

- Contact the office of Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. You will be able to use an automated system to take you through the name change. Your new card will be free.

Beware scam services that offer to send you a new card for a fee. Do not provide these scam artists with any of your information. Report any contacts made to you to the Social Security office.

Visit the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). They must see you in-person. Bring along your certified marriage certificate and the following forms of identification (not all may be necessary):

- Social Security card (old and new, if you've already acquired the new one)

- Old driver's license with previous surname

- Car registration

- Voter registration

- Passport

Once your Social Security card and driver's license have been changed, you'll be able to change your name on the following documents:

- Passport (change this after, not before, the honeymoon for smoother travel plans)

- Mortgages/leases

- Insurance policies

Don't forget to notify the following of your name change:

- Family and friends

- Employers and payroll departments

- United States Postal Service

- The phone company and other utilities

- Banks and financial institutions

- Credit card companies

- Registrar of voters

- Schools and/or alumni associates

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