Name Change Advice

cherish1317

So, I'm getting married, going on my honeymoon, and then moving across the country. Should I try and go through the name change process in the few days that I'm still in my home state (Colorado), or should I just wait until I get to my new state (Michigan)?

What sort of effect might this have when we consolidate banking, phones, sign a lease, etc?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

gvsubride05

How long of a gap is it? You have to change your name with the Social secuirty office, so that wouldn't matter which state you did that in.  I think I would just go ahead and do it right affter your wedding since you will be setting up new accounts here. However, If you are talking about a matter of a week or two, I would wait until you get to Michigan.

xDanniellex

Most things are easy to change your name with.  Bills I just had to call and tell them over the phone. 

Our banks I had to show them our marriage license.  I'd probably wait to do your driver's license until you were here in MI, so that you don't have to pay to change it in CO and then pay for the new license here.   And why wait twice at a secretary of state when they are always so slow!?

For our lease we had to take the marriage license, and then reprinted our lease with my new name with new signatures.  

For me it wasn't a major issue to have to change everything.  The process was spread out over a couple weeks, as I waited for the new DL to come before doing some of the stuff I had to do in person.  Most places wanted the DL and marriage license.

cherish1317

We're moving the week after we get back from our honeymoon, so it seems like that's not enough time to really even start the name-changing process. I think I'll wait, and if we consolidate accounts I'll just have to go back and change my name.

Thanks for the help!

murmonster11

I just went through all of this in the last 2 months. Here is my advice.

1. Social Security (doesn't matter which state you do this in) It took me about a week to get my new card in the mail, but they give you a temporary paper to use in the mean time. You have to wait 2 days before it clears with the secretary of state in the electronic database.

 2. Sec. of State - would definitely wait until you move to MI. Your old license is still legal for up to a few months in another state (I think). You can just present your marriage license and SS paperwork at the bank if necessary until you get it switched. (The bank will most likely require the original marriage license to change your account).

3. Passport - don't attempt to do this one until you're back from your honeymoon if you're going out of the country. I just kept my maiden name one when we went to Vancouver for a vacation (a month after the wedding even!), and they never cared. We drove though, so definitely don't change your driver's license if you're flying and need both that and the passport. I think it would be way less complicated if they match. 

4. I owned a house on my own before getting married, so I'm still working on changing things with the utility companies, etc. It's a HUGE pain, but eventually it will be over with and I won't need to do it again. 

 One thing I really recommend is having your bank put a note on your account that you've recently been married and have both your maiden name and married name listed. I still occasionally got checks under the wrong name for a few weeks and didn't want to have problems with depositing them (rebates, etc).

 Hope that helps!