NAME CHANGES TO MAKE AFTER YOU MARRY

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SOCIAL SECURITY CARD FIRST 

It is true what they say: changing your name is no easy process and can be a bit stressful once you begin to realize just how many things your maiden name is attached to. Before having a panic attack, it is best to make a checklist and go through each point (one at a time so you don’t feel overwhelmed!).

Our advice would be to try and tackle two or three items per week; before you know it, you’ll be done and ready to enjoy married life with your new name!

If you change your name, you'll need to get a social security card first and update your driver's license next. You can get a new driver's license $8 to $16 dollars at the Department of Motor Vehicles with your old license, certified copy of your marriage license, and new social security card. If you have a passport that's less than a year old, you can update it for free, otherwise there's a $130 fee. Then your insurance and others. Etc.

Local Offices and Phone Numbers

Social Security Administration Memphis Offices

Opens 9 AM

1330 Monroe Ave ·  (800) 772-1213 

2-12133461 S 3rd St · (800) 772-1213

3602 Austin Peay Hwy · (800) 772-1213

DeSoto County and North Mississippi Driver License Stations

8:00AM ⋅ Closes 5 PM

159 License Dr, Nesbit, MS 38651 (662) 429-1353

6569 Cockrum Street Bldg B, Ste 1 Olive Branch, MS 39654

22000A Hwy 35 North - Batesville, MS 38606

1230 Fairground St -Grenada, MS 38901

Tennessee Driver Testing, Services and Reinstatement Centers

Opens⋅ 8:30 AM

6340 Summer Ave, Memphis, TN 38134(901) 543-7920

5266 Summer Ave # 75, Memphis, TN 38122 (901) 543-7920

3200 E Shelby Dr, Memphis, TN 38118 (901) 367-3639

150 Washington Ave, Memphis, TN 38103 Closes 4:15 PM (901) 222-3000

5019 W Union Rd, Millington, TN 38053 (901) 745-7020

Here are the FIRST items you’ll need to take care of, in the order you should tackle them:

1. Social security

2. Driver’s license

3. Passport

You'll need the certificate when going to places like your bank or credit union and state agencies to have your new surname recorded in their systems. Certified copies can be purchased for $10.00 for the first one and $2.50 for each additional copy and keep it somewhere safe. Keep in mind that you may need multiple certified copies in order to change your name, and update your insurance, social security, and financial information.

Here’s the list of documents you’ll want to consider for changing your last name:

• Banking information: Update banks and estate planning, Work out Finances

· Review your wills and trusts to reflect your new partner's intentions, such as how assets should be divided if you die.

· Emergency Contact Information

· Professional Licensing Boards

• Credit cards

• Email address(es)

• Social media profiles (Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Twitter, etc.)

• Health insurance: add your spouse to your policy. It must be done within 30 days to  be classified a change of life situation.

• Car registration and insurance

• Any other insurance accounts

• Utility companies

• Student loans

• Mortgages/apartment rental contracts

• Voter registration (often this can accompany your driver’s license name change)

• Gym membership (or any other memberships for that matter)

• Payroll (talk to HR): Let your employer's human resources department know that  you're married, even if you don't change your name, consider changing  your withholdings, new Form W-4 within 10 days

• Business cards

• Store/shopping accounts (Costco, Amazon, etc.)

Social Security Name Change - Name change If you need to change your name on your Social Security card, you must show us proof of your legal name change. Documents Social Security may accept to prove a legal name change include:

• Marriage document.

• Divorce decree.

• Certificate of Naturalization showing the new name; or

• Court order approving the name change.

If the document you provide as evidence of a legal name change does not give enough information to identify you in their records or if you changed your name more than two years ago (four years ago if you are under 18 years of age), you must show an identity document in your prior name (as shown in their records). They will accept an identity document in your old name that has expired.

If you do not have an identity document in your prior name, they may accept an unexpired identity document in your new name, as long as they can properly establish your identity in their records.

Identity - They can accept only certain documents as proof of identity. An acceptable document must be current (not expired) and show your name, identifying information (date of birth or age) and preferably a recent photograph. For example, as proof of identity Social Security must see your:

• U.S. driver's license.

• State-issued non-driver identification card; or

• U.S. passport.

if you do not have one of these specific documents or you cannot get a replacement for one of them within 10 days, ask to see other documents. Any documents submitted, including the following, must be current (not expired) and show your name, identifying information (date of birth or age) and preferably a recent photograph:

• Employee identification card.

• School identification card.

• Health insurance card (not a Medicare card); or

• U.S. military identification card.

Note - Your new card will have the same number as your previous card but will show your new name. They will mail your card as soon as we have all of your information and have verified your documents. Visit the SSN and Card webpage and answer a few questions to find out the best way to apply for your corrected card. In some states, you can use your personal my Social Security account to request a corrected card. Otherwise, you can start your application online. You may be eligible to self-schedule an appointment online to complete your application at your local Social Security office or Card Center. Scheduling an appointment can save you time when you visit us.

Passport - Less than one year after BOTH my passport was issued and my name was legally changed

TRAVEL- DO NOT CHANGE YOUR NAME on your drivers license IF YOU PLAN TO TRAVEL in the next few weeks out of the country with a passport that you have your maiden name. You must have all travel documents and tickets in the same name. Exp. Air confirmation must match passport and drivers license must match air confirmation and passport. Also remember passport must not expire within 6 months of travel. If you have questions, contact the passport office. There is a passport office in the Courthouse downstairs.

Submit the following by mail:

• Form DS-5504 (find mailing instructions on the form)

• Your most recent U.S. passport

• An original or certified document which shows that you changed your name less than one year after we issued your most recent U.S. passport. Examples include a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.

• One passport photo

You will not have to submit any passport fees unless you want expedited service which costs an extra $60.  - More than one year after either my passport was issued or my name was legally changed, You may be eligible to renew your passport by mail using Form DS-82 or apply in person using Form DS-11.

Can I renew by mail?

You can renew by mail using Form DS-82 if your most recent passport:

• Is submitted with your application

• Is undamaged (other than normal wear and tear)

• Was issued when you were age 16 or older

• Was issued within the last 15 years

• Was issued in your current name (or you can show your name change)

If you are eligible to renew, submit the following by mail:

• Form DS-82

• Your most recent U.S. passport

• Your original or certified name change document, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order

• One color passport photo

• Fees, which are different depending on your age

• Send Form DS-82 and supporting documents using USPS. UPS, FedEx, DHL, and other companies cannot deliver to the PO Box addresses listed on Form DS-82.

How do I apply in person if I cannot renew by mail?

If you are not eligible to renew your passport by mail using Form DS-82, apply in person and submit the following:

• Form DS-11

• Your evidence of U.S. citizenship and photocopy of that evidence

• Your original or certified name change document, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order

• Valid ID and photocopy of that ID

• One color passport photo

• Fees, which are different depending on your age

Please note: If your name has changed because you are married and you show us an ID issued in your new name, you do not need to submit proof of your name change. You must include the details of the marriage on the second page of Form DS-11.

1. Finalize the photo album - Generally you need to pick your favorite images out of a pretty huge selection so the photographer can organize your wedding. Make sure you do this while everything is fresh in your mind.

2. Clean the dress, accessories and organize proper storage -Whatever you do don’t just fling your dress in the dress bag and stuff it in your wardrobe. Have the dress cleaned and laundered so the dress lasts longer.

3. EBay excess items - You may have additional wedding items leftover from the wedding. Don’t let them languish in The Wedding scrapyard make some cash back by selling. Try Facebook selling groups, eBay and gumtree.

4. Return Hired and borrowed items - Anything that has been hired will need to be returned to the suppliers as per the terms and conditions. There is more than likely a timed return date and conditions of return have to be met to get any deposits back.

5. Thank you letters for gifts to friends and family - Don’t leave writing Thank you cards, the longer you leave it the more likely you will forget and not do it.

6. Organize for family to see the video and photo album - Another reason to get everyone together, organize a family get together with drinks and nibbles to really get everyone in the mood.

7. Change your last name and update bank details and bill statements - Once you have your marriage certificate you can begin the process of changing your name. It can take quite a bit of time so make a list and just keep ticking them off as you go.

8. Change your driving license and passport if you haven’t done so. - This one is super important, having an out of date driving license could incur you a penalty.

9. Create a will and get life insurance - Contrary to popular opinion this is not a job for old people. Your now a couple and therefore financially will rely on each other. It’s important to ensure your covered financially to protect your other half.

10. Make Final payments that may be outstanding - Don’t forget to make any final outstanding payments. Most payments are usually due before the wedding but there could be a bill at the venue perhaps outstanding for any extra’s. Our guests all got midnight munchies, our hotel manager kindly provided bacon butties which was all to pay for the next day.

11. Take some time to write reviews for your wedding suppliers. - Wedding suppliers go above and beyond to make your day special and a nice review afterwards will go a long way towards helping their businesses.

12. Spend some time with friends and family. - In the run up to the wedding normal routines are often put on the back burner. Get back into the swing of things before you become a social outcast.

13. Take your parents out for dinner - The chances are you won’t have spent much quality time with your parents on your big day. The day goes in a heartbeat. Your wedding day is a huge emotional moment for parents and spending some quality time with them afterwards is a lovely gesture.

14. Make a plan for your first year as newlyweds. - The period after your wedding can often be a bit of a come down. The wedding build up and the big day itself is a huge euphoric bubble that sadly bursts after the wedding. Couples often experience post wedding blues. To combat this celebrate your first year together making something out of the milestones together. We are not talking expensive gifts it could be experiences together.

15. Organize your wedding finances - If you’ve been left with a financial hangover make sure you gave robust plans in place to pay it off. Now is the time to come clean about any secret spending you might have indulged in before the wedding.

16. Check in with your venue - As a courtesy make sure you ring the venue to ensure everything was in order when you left. Ensure suppliers have collected any items they were meant to. Ask about lost property guests always leave things behind

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