Xpost from 09ers: A Word to the Wise on the Name Changing Process

MrsInglima Posted: May 20, 2009 09:26 PM

Xpost from 09ers: A Word to the Wise on the Name Changing Process

So several months ago when I was looking up how to do the name change stuff, a post on here was very misleading on the whole process and between that and what the woman at our town hall told me, I just wanted to give people a heads up on how to change your name.

I'm going to number just because it would have made my life SOOO much easier if someone had done that for me!

1. In most states, including the state of New York, checking a box when you fill out your marriage certificate saying that you are planning on changing your name will automatically change it.
2. After your wedding whenever you want, but the sooner the better just for logistical reasons, take your marriage certificate to the Social Security office and apply for a new card with a name change. (Note: It is free and you will need both your parent's SS# for that.)
3. Only after you have received that card can you change your driver's license and Passport. Driver's license is really cheap and Passport is something like $70. I think both can be done through the mail.
4. Social Security will NOT contact your financial accounts for you. You will need will need to call each of your credit card companies and banks and let them know of the name change.
5. You will also need to take a copy of your new SS card to your job and update your tax info if you plan of filing jointly next year.

Hope that helps some people out because I was told I would need to file additional paper work to change my name and went through a whole huge confusing process, take extra days off of work, only to get to the county clerk's office and have them tell me that I don't need to do that.

bulldoglover Posted: May 20, 2009 09:38 PM

Re: Xpost from 09ers: A Word to the Wise on the Name Changing Process

SUPER useful - THANKS!

bigrd37 Posted: May 20, 2009 09:59 PM

Re: Xpost from 09ers: A Word to the Wise on the Name Changing Process

i was told that even though you might write a new last name on your marriage certificate, it doesn't legally change it. you have to fill out all the other paperwork to make it legal and officially change it.

i wrote my married name on my marriage certificate, but i still haven't officially changed it and we were able to file taxes jointly and i haven't had any problems with anything.

BlakeG Posted: May 20, 2009 11:38 PM

Re: Xpost from 09ers: A Word to the Wise on the Name Changing Process

I went through all of this last year and in NY you can definitely legally change your name on your marriage license. However, if you do not update your social security card, you will have to file taxes with the name that matches the social security card. IRS isn't looking at name changes it only makes sure the name on the tax return & W-2 match with the name on record with the social security number included on the tax return. Another side note, I took off one from work and did the SS office & DMV in the same day so you don't have to wait until you get your new SS Card in the mail. All you need for the DMV is proof of your old name (passport, SS card, etc) and your marriage license. Hope this helps!

StaceYums81 Posted: May 20, 2009 11:40 PM

Re: Xpost from 09ers: A Word to the Wise on the Name Changing Process

What if you don't have both your parents SS# - does this mean I won't be able to change my name???

victorious1979 Posted: May 21, 2009 12:17 AM

Re: Xpost from 09ers: A Word to the Wise on the Name Changing Process

Thank YOU, very appreciated!

mosh424 Posted: May 21, 2009 05:28 AM

Re: Xpost from 09ers: A Word to the Wise on the Name Changing Process

Thanks so much! you made it very simple

SummerBride10 Posted: May 21, 2009 06:18 AM

Re: Xpost from 09ers: A Word to the Wise on the Name Changing Process

Thank you for the tips. I'm adding this to my notebook!

DeeDee1013 Posted: May 21, 2009 06:59 AM

Re: Xpost from 09ers: A Word to the Wise on the Name Changing Process

Posted by StaceYums81

What if you don't have both your parents SS# - does this mean I won't be able to change my name???

You do not need your parents' SS#.

epickus Posted: May 21, 2009 08:16 AM

Re: Xpost from 09ers: A Word to the Wise on the Name Changing Process

Thanks so much for the info!!

MrsCM Posted: May 21, 2009 08:32 AM

Re: Xpost from 09ers: A Word to the Wise on the Name Changing Process

Posted by StaceYums81

What if you don't have both your parents SS# - does this mean I won't be able to change my name???

I was wondering about this as well!

KellymKuehn Posted: May 21, 2009 08:53 AM

Re: Xpost from 09ers: A Word to the Wise on the Name Changing Process

Wow! thank you for the info, super helpful.

justustwo48 Posted: May 21, 2009 10:02 AM

Re: Xpost from 09ers: A Word to the Wise on the Name Changing Process

Posted by seawedding

Posted by StaceYums81

What if you don't have both your parents SS# - does this mean I won't be able to change my name???

I was wondering about this as well!

You don't need their #'s. If you read the application instructions that SS gives you to change the name on your card, I believe it says you only need the SS #'s of your parents if you are under 18. I just did all of my research the other day and made a checklist for myself and I made sure I looked over everything I needed in great detail.

ETA exact wording from application:
You must show the mother's Social Security number only when the application is for an original Social Security card for a person under age 18. However, this item may be left blank if the motherwas never assigned a Social Security number, or if you do not know the mother's Social Security number and are unable to obtain it. We will still be able to assign a number to the person underage 18.
You must show the father's Social Security number only when the application is for an originalSocial Security card for a person under age 18. However, this item may be left blank if the fatherwas never assigned a Social Security number, or if you do not know the father's Social Securitynumber and are unable to obtain it. We will still be able to assign a number to the person under 18.

jlt2010 Posted: May 21, 2009 12:38 PM

Re: Xpost from 09ers: A Word to the Wise on the Name Changing Process

thanks for the info!!

jcreilly Posted: May 21, 2009 12:51 PM

Re: Xpost from 09ers: A Word to the Wise on the Name Changing Process

Thank YOu

Junebride2010 Posted: May 21, 2009 03:50 PM

Re: Xpost from 09ers: A Word to the Wise on the Name Changing Process

Almost all of my friends are married and everyone I asked says the same thing--
Just check off what you want on your marriage license. Go to the SS office with your marriage license--change your name. Then go to the DMV, get a new license. After that you can pretty much change everything else online.

By the way some of the people in town hall have no idea what they are talking about. My friend was given different answers from 3 town offices she called. She finally just went to SS with her marriage license and everything worked out