Got marriage license - now what? Changing name question..

Is there paper work I have to fill out prior to the wedding regarding a name change? Or do I do all that after we get the marriage certificate post-wedding? I`m somewhat confused because I heard you have to fill out name change paperwork, yet the City Clerk did not know what I was talking about when we picked up the license. Can anyone help? Thanks!

Got marriage license - now what? Changing name question..

On your marriage license application there was a box that you check to indicate that you will be changing your surname. That is all you do before the wedding. Then when they process your marriage license after the wedding, you will be issued a marriage certificate and that will reflect your new last name. Then from there you can start changing it with banks, DMV, etc. etc. etc.

Thanks, Elizabeth!

I did check that box & it does list my new surname somewhere on the license. Glad to know that`s all I have to do now! :)

How do you get the marriage license?

What do you need and how long does it take - can I take a half a day - or does it take longer? What do you need to take with you?

Re: Name change and honeymoon reservations - warning

I read somewhere that you should make your plane reservations and any others in your maiden name, since immediately following the wedding all your ID will still be in that name - passport, drivers license, etc. If you have your plane ticket made out to your new name, and your ID and passport are in your maiden name, you may have trouble. The story I read was about a bride that was not allowed to board the plane for her honeymoon because her ID did not match the ticket which had been made out in her new name. I was married almost 3 weeks ago and we've received the certificate from the church, but not the state yet, and that's the only one that is accepted by the DMV, SS offices, etc. so I'm still waiting to officially start changing all my payroll, bank, driver's license, etc.

Make Honeymoon Reservations in Maiden Name

Karen, Excellent point, you will not have any I.D. with your married name until you get the license back.

Name change and gifts/checks

Something to keep in mind: Most of our guests wrote checks out to 'Mr. and Mrs...' Nice gesture to include both of us in the gift, but we couldn't cash the checks until the marriage certificate was mailed to us! Then we had to spend about an hour at the bank so they could review and approve my new signature. Luckily, our marriage cert. only took 3 weeks, but sometimes it is longer. If there is any way you can subtlely let any of your guests know to write the checks out to either the bride (in her maiden name) OR the groom, you will be saving yourself some time and aggravation!

Name change and gifts/checks - not a problem for us!

We already had a joint checking account, and here in Boston, the banks are nowhere near as ridiculous and restrictive as they are in New York, but we were able to just sign the Mr. and Mrs. checks with his name and mine (maiden name) and deposit them. It may have been that they also remembered us coming in to get the certified check for the reception site too, so they did not question the marriage.

How do you get the marriage license?

We are in Manhattan & just went to the City Clerk`s office down by city hall. It took about 15 minutes total. You need a money order (no cash/check) & ID. But that`s about it. No blood test required.

Name change and gifts/checks - No problem for us either *NM*

How far in advance do you need to get the marriage license? *NM*

Getting your license....

You must have it at least 24 hours (to the minute) before the time of the cermony, but not more than 60 days in advance. LI Weddings has a detailed section on how and where to get one. Go to the top header and click on 'Community' and you'll find a heading at the top that says 'Marriage License' with all the detail. Also - it's about $5.00 cheaper if you get it outside of the 5 boroughs of NYC and our priest was happy too, because he said the paperwork is easier for him to fill out. I think it's also cheaper and easier to get copies. You'd think it would be all the same since it's a state license, but it's not. Also, in Hempstead, we were able to pay cash and NYC will only accept a Money Order (guess they can't trust that the money won't get stolen!)

How do you get the marriage license?

go to any town hall $25 bring SS# and drivers lic. it takes 15mins. that's all that easy

FYI, it`s $30 in the 5 boroughs & you need a money order *NM*