Changing Records to Your New Married Name

If you will be changing your name to your new married name, there are a few things you will need to do. Following is a general checklist for you to use as a guide.

Apply for a New Social Security Card

Don't forget that you are required to change your maiden name to your married name (if you decide to do this) officially with the US government by applying for a new Social Security Card. You can do this at your local Social Security Office, by mail or online at: www.ssa.gov. If you were married in 2006, you will need to do this prior to your filing your tax returns this year. Otherwise, if you file married and use your married name but haven't changed your Social Security records, the IRS will kick back your return because your SS number will not match with your new married name. So don't delay - do it today!

Some other records you will need to change are:

¨ Driver’s license
¨ Vehicle registration
¨ Voter registration
¨ Passport
¨ Employer’s records
¨ Bank accounts
¨ Credit card accounts
¨ Wills
¨ Insurance policies
¨ Property titles
¨ Medical records

Check with each office to see if you will need a copy of your marriage certificate. Most places will require it, but some only require a copy where others require a certified copy. You may request certified copies from the License Department where you applied for your marriage license for a nominal fee. It’s a good idea to call these places ahead of time to see what they require and then order the appropriate number of certified copies and make additional copies as well.

If you are able to after you return from your honeymoon, take a full day where you and your husband can go to the bank, MVA, etc. and get the records changed knocked out all in one day. My husband and I were able to do this and it saved us a lot of time later down the road.