More marriage license questions

MollySm

So now that you've got me thinking about getting moving on this name-change thing, how many marriage licenses do I need to order?  I had assumed they would just send ours to us, but turns out I have to pay for them.  Do I need more than one certified copy to do all the name changes?

Thanks! 

miriellegirl

I know you can buy certified copies, but aren't they supposed to send you back the original marriage license? I just took the original marriage license to the Social Security office and DPS they didn't need to keep it just look at it. I need to order a certified copy to mail with the passport. I would say check online before you go to see what they require.

 

 

pearl2006

I've managed to use only one certified copy to do my changes, however I did everything in person and then mailed it off with my passport. If you are going to need to mail off more then you, you may want more then 1 copy to speed up the process.

In MN we get our first certified copy free which gets mailed directly to you right away aftewards (ours came the following Tuesday)

alexilyse

I got 3 copies.  I know the passport authority needs one, I got the one I will show people when I go somewhere, and I got another one just in case.

CrissyH

I bought 2 copies (they only charge $2.50 each), but have only needed to use one.  I figured it was better to have an extra just in case I had to mail one off for something.  

razdazzle

I bought three, but I will probably do some of the changes via mail.

MollySm

Thanks guys. ?I need to look into it a little more I guess. ?They just seem so expensive - they don't mail us one, and it's $60 for the first one, and then I think $20 for more (from what I read online). ?Seems ridiculous!

tinydancer842

Wow ours were $15 each - we got two but only needed one so far.

aweilba

I think it really all depends on what you're planning on changing.  I ordered 2 because most places make a copy or just give it back to you.  However, somewhere that gives out a professional certificate, like a teaching certificate, will keep your marriage certificate as proof that you asked them to change your professional name.  The SS office, DMV, and bank all just made copies of our certificate, so I have one to send off for good and one to carry around to places that just need to see it, not keep it.

missmis99

I only got one copy and never considered getting another.  Everyone I have been to only asked for a copy. Now you got me wondering.  Extra copies are only $2.00 so I guess I could always get more, but you need to go physically get them, so that is a PITA.

trinalo

We got the original mailed to us, which I then mailed to the SS office with my name change application (it was going to be too much a PITA to go there in person). I got a second copy for $9 which I've used everywhere else.

louieblue

I've only used the one that was mailed to us after the wedding.  I've never considered buying another. 

I'm not sure about with everyone else, but none of the places where I needed my name changed actually gave a hot damn about my marriage certificate.  I'd show them and they'd say "That's nice.  We need your new SS card as proof.  Not that."

DH had to take the certificate into work to have HR copy it and get me set up on his insurance and whatnot, but everywhere else wanted my SS card.  Because that's apparently more proof that I'm married than the certificate.  Go figure.