Name changing question...?

Question

I'm under the impression that after I receive my official marriage license, I should go to the Social Security office and DMV. In the meantime, how do I sign my name? Do I hyphenate my old and new names?

Answer 1

Try this website, they help you change your name on everything:

http://missnowmrs.com/?gclid=CMbAlaHPi5U...

**It costs $29.95 but seems to make the process a LOT easier and time-saving.

Answer 2

I signed my maiden name for credit cards and such.  The honeymoon was booked in my maiden name so I just wanted to play it safe.  As soon as we got our certified copy back I started using my married name.  That came about a week after the honeymoon and I went straight to the dmv and the bank.  I called the ss office and they sent me the paperwork.  I called the credit card companies and changed it over the phone.  I got all of my new stuff within a week.

Answer 3

Sign your new name!!!!! Just keep a copy of the marriage license with you- just in case you need proof

Answer 4

How did you fill out your license? The legal change should be on your license, and if you hyphenated it on the license application  (Jane Pepsi-cola) then that will be your new legal name. If you did NOT hyphenate it on the license, then you may have to get an application to change your name to a hyphenated version.

Note: You sign the marriage license Jane Pepsi, and use Jane Pepsi-Cola immediately after the license is signed. It doesn't matter that you don't have the copy of the license, as it is filed at your City Hall.

If you changed your last name to Cola, then just use that.  If you want your maiden name as a middle name (Jane Pepsi Cola) then you sign your name Jane Cola, like Hilary (Rodham) Clinton, or HRC, or Jane P. Cola.

Changing your name info listed below. Fill out the SSecurity form and then change the other forms one x one.  

DMC [You have to visit the DMV in person, and bring your marriage license]

Passport Office [You have to send your marriage license and passport - so if you're traveling for your honeymoon, book the travel in your maiden name].

Also change:

Credit Cards

Bank Accounts

Lease, Mortgage

Utility Bills

Insurance

Health Care

Post Office

Wills

Voter registration

Professional associations, memberships

Answer 5

You can do as you please, I would suggest you use the hyphenated name now.  But remember, if you decide to just use your married name, you will have to go through all that name change again.

Also, beside the ones you mentioned, you will have to change your Credit Cards, Store Cards. Utilities, Phone, gas, water, etc, If you have any property deeds, they may need to be changed too.

You don't have to change them all at once, just work on them one by one, as you receive your bills, etc.

If you own stocks and bonds, or property, it may be wise to keep them

in your own name, just in case. Sadly, things can happen and divorces do happen.

If there is something you aren't sure of, ask an Attorney, they may be a bit expensive, but can end up saving you thousands later on.

Answer 6

Until you officially change your name, you should sign your name the way you do now. However, this typically applies only to legal documents. Since legal documents require legal proof (ID or another form of legal documentation), you want to stick to your legal name.

For non-legal documents (cards, etc), you can use your new last name or hypenate.  

Answer 7

You're not married yet so continue to use your maiden name.

Answer 8

Here's the info you need

http://www.bridelaw.com/index.asp

Answer 9

Depends on what you're signing...

The checks we got from the wedding, I used my married name.  They were all filled out to "Mr and Mrs Smith" so I had to sign "Mrs Smith"

Signing in for our honeymoon, I used my maiden name.  I didn't have the passport changed, so it was all booked with "Miss Jane Doe"

Anything I signed for my credit cards, I used my maiden name because that was on the cards.  I didn't want there to be any confusion.

Basically, informal stuff I used my married name.  Formal/Official stuff I used my married name.  It just kept it simple that way.

Answer 10

You sign with your maiden name (which is still your legal name) until your social security card has been changed.  

Answer 11

If you don't have your marriage license yet, you should sign your name with your maiden name because you are not married.  

Answer 12

I'm still waiting for my marriage certificate to get my name changed at the Social Security office and DMV, but have already started using my new last name.  According to federal law in the US, you are allowed to sign and use whatever name you want for yourself at any time you want to as long as you are not doing it for fraudulent reasons such as in order to avoid debts.

Answer 13

I agree 100% with "Just tryin' to help".  It's been more than 3 weeks, and I still haven't received my certified copy yet.  So I sign my new name at work, or for our new credit card.  All my checks and other accounts are still under my maiden name, so I use that for now.