Last updated: July 26, 2024
Thinking of changing your name after marriage? This guide will help you navigate how to change your last name after marriage in the U.S.
This post contains affiliate links which means if you make a purchase, I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. For more information, please read my disclosure policy.
Disclaimer: I am not a legal professional and this is not legal advice. These are simply the steps I took to change my last name after getting married. Please consult your local government with any questions or contact a lawyer if you need legal advice.
Congratulations! If you’re reading this article, I’m guessing you’re either getting married soon or recently married. I’m so happy for you and your spouse and wish you all the happiness in your new life together!
Now after all the planning of the actual wedding, there’s a lot to get done as a newlywed couple. If you haven’t already done so, marriage requires some life switches such as changing your last name, combining bank accounts, filing taxes together, sharing insurance and so much more, if you choose to.
There are several steps to take if you want to change your last name. It’s not difficult but it does take some time and effort. Or you can change your name in minutes with ZERO stress (more on this below!)
How to Change Your Name After Marriage
So you want to change your name? Great! While it may seem overwhelming, the steps below should help you navigate the process. Again, if you have any specific questions or concerns, it’s best to reach out to your local government office for assistance. Or check out a service that helps you change your name in three easy steps!
Here are the Steps to Change Your Name
- Get a certified copy of your marriage certificate.
You will need your marriage certificate for virtually all the following steps. This proves why you are making a name change. In addition, you will need your marriage certificate if you want to add your spouse to your insurance or vice versa.
There is typically a fee associated with obtaining a certified copy of your marriage certificate, so be prepared for that. In addition, you may want to obtain more than one copy in case you need the certificate for multiple steps at once (more on that below.)
- Change your name with Social Security.
Getting a new Social Security Card must be done before any other changes since this identifies you with the federal government. You may either mail in or go to the Social Security office to file the appropriate paperwork.
They will then mail you a new card, usually within a week. You will need to wait 48 hours to complete the next steps (you do not need your physical card, but you do need to allow for processing with the government systems).
- Update your Passport with your new name.*
*You only need a passport if you plan to travel internationally. If you do not need a Passport you may skip to the next step.
There is a form to fill out for passport name changes based on specific circumstances. Once you fill out the appropriate form, you need to mail it in along with your old passport, a copy of your certified marriage certificate, a color passport photo and the appropriate fees.
A passport can take up to 8 weeks to be processed, so if you are updating your passport, you may want to obtain two copies of your marriage certificate to complete the following steps.
- Get a new Driver’s License and Registration.
Each state is different, so you will need to check with your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to complete this step. You can find the information online of what you need to bring with you (usually proof of identity and address), along with your marriage certificate and your current driver’s license.
- Change your name for voting and with the IRS.
There are simple forms you can fill out online to make sure your name is changed on documents for voting and filing taxes. In New Jersey, my voter ID was updated when I went to get my driver’s license, but this may be different from state to state.
- Update your credit cards and bank accounts.
Once you have your updated license, you can go to your bank and update your accounts with your new name. They may also ask for your marriage certificate, so it’s smart to just keep that with you throughout the process.
If you bank with an online bank or non-bank credit cards, this may be done over the phone and then they may ask you to mail a copy of your marriage certificate or other documents as proof.
- Let your work know you changed your name.
You should let your work peeps know you changed your name so they can update all of your documents. This may include a new email address, business cards, name plate, etc.
They will also help you update your tax forms and insurance. Remember, you can only change insurance/benefits within 30-days of a life event, so you’ll want to do that right away if you are combining benefits policies. If not, you will need to wait until open enrollment which generally happens in the fall.
- Touch base with doctors’ offices and others.
This is something you can do as you need to. It’s generally okay (in my experience at least) to wait until you go to your doctor to let them know you changed your name. They may ask for your new license and, of course, updated medical insurance, when you go for your next appointment.
- Change online accounts and others.
I’m saying this as a catchall for any non-essential accounts or other businesses. For instance, your subscriptions (like Netflix and Amazon) and any social media platforms you use.
You will probably get notified if you’re on automatic payments, as things will update when you change your credit card information. This sort of happens naturally as things come up.
The Easiest Way to Change Your Name
Now that you see all the steps that it takes to change your name, you might be feeling overwhelmed. I know I was. Even though I’ve outlined the steps in the general order you should do them, there are still a ton of forms to fill out and process.
As long as you complete step 1, getting your marriage certificate, there is an easier way to get this done. I utilized an online service called HitchSwitch Name Change. With HitchSwitch they took all the guesswork out of the process.
Once you sign up online and pick your package (from basic “print at home” to full concierge), all you have to do is input your information and they will send you all the forms you need already filled out. Then they will also send you a road map of what steps to do when and how you need to do them (for instance, mailing in the form versus going in person).
It was the easiest process once I decided to use HitchSwitch. And the best part was, once you ordered your package you could utilize their customer service if any questions come up. For instance, if you had a credit card that wasn’t listed on their site, you can email them and they’ll do the research to figure it out for you.
I highly recommend using this service or something similar to change your name in minutes with ZERO stress. Unless you like navigating government websites and filling out forms with the same information multiple times, it’s totally worth the small fee to have everything laid out for you.
Final Thoughts
Again, congratulations on your marriage! This is an exciting time for you and your spouse. If and when you’re ready to change your name, take a minute to read through the process and take it step by step.
If the process seems overwhelming, don’t fret. It’s worth the small investment to utilize a service like HitchSwitch Name Change to help you navigate the process. If you are still planning your wedding, you can add HitchSwitch or a similar service to your wedding registry. It’s a great gift to request and is great for the gift giver who likes more practical gifts.
Whether you do it yourself or use a service, take your time and try not to stress. This should be a happy time for you. Enjoy this big life change with your husband and just take it one step at a time.
