By Lu Ann Brobst Staheli
In all the preparations surrounding her upcoming wedding, the bride-to-be has planned for everything. The ring is selected, the announcements mailed, the gown fitted, the flowers ordered—she is ready. Ready for everything, except changing her name after her wedding.

If you decided to change your last name, make sure you start the process by getting several official copies of your signed marriage license and signature proof that the wedding actually occurred.
Take an original along if you are required to visit any office in person. The following list will let you know where and how to begin.

1Driver’s License: If you are a Nevada resident, you must visit a DMV Full Service or Express Office to have a new license issued. Utah allows you to mail the documentation in for both a name and address change, and they allow only 10 days for a change of address. Nevada allows 30 days for an address change.

2Banking: Visit your preferred bank and talk with an Accounts manager. They will make a copy of your marriage documents for their files, but they likely can make the changes directly from their computer system. You’ll want to decide if you’re opening any new joint accounts or staying with individual accounts. It will take the normal wait time to get checks and deposit slips with your new name.

3Credit Cards: You’ll want to maintain your credit history, so do NOT close your accounts and open new ones. Check your most recent billing statement or call the number on the back of your cards to see how your company accepts name and address changes.

4Insurance: If you have been on your parent’s
insurance policies, you may no longer be eligible for coverage and will need your own as a new couple. Check first with your parents, then with each company who has a policy on you. Don’t forget to find out about all the kinds of insurance you have, including automobile, home owners/rental, health, and life insurance.

5School Records: If you have attended or graduated from college, you should contact the Registrar’s Office regarding your files. Be sure to include your transcripts and any placement files in the address/name change. You’ll add your new last name, and keep your old last name as part of the file.

6Social Security: You’ll want to report your name change to Social Security to insure that your wages are posted correctly to your record, and to prevent a delay in any tax refunds. Complete an online application and take (or Mail) the completed application and proof to your local Social Security office.
If you live in Las Vegas, you may need to apply in person at the local card center.

7Utilities, Cell Phone: Any accounts you have in your own name need to be changed to include your married name. In some cases, it may be easier to simply hyphenate your last names rather than change them. Check with each company for their notification policy.

8Passport: If your passport is less than one year old, mail your current passport, a completed name change form, a copy of your marriage license, and two color passport photos to the address available on the online passport form. If it’s been longer than a year, there are also fees involved.

9Miscellaneous Accounts: You may have online or store accounts that rely on your name and address being correct on their files. Places like eBay, amazon.com, Facebook, My Space, etc. should have online forms to make any necessary changes or updates.

10Miscellaneous: Other identification you might want to change include your library card or ecclesiastical documents, such as a temple recommend. You’ll probably find records like this over a year into your marriage, so just change them as you go.

Just remember that, although these changes are important, they are not life threatening. Get them done in a timely manner, but don’t panic if they aren’t all finished by the end of the first month.
After all, you spent years with your previous last name, so give yourself a little time to get used to the new one.