How to do the marriage name change and what to note

Did you guys hear? Our little Bieber liked it so much he put a ring on it on Hailey Baldwin and she in turn changed her name to Bieber... Now we have two Biebers and the list is sure to grow.

For eons and eons, People have been getting married and then one partner would change their last name to that of their spouse in an official capacity. Changing your last name to your partner's can, however, be a lengthy legal process that includes a lot of paperwork none of us likes dealing with and of course the hours and stress of it.

Most people don't normally think about the stress surrounding a name change until after they are done with the wedded bliss and then you start procrastinating because who wants to spend countless hours figuring out what you need to make your partner's name your official last name? Well, don't look too far, here's a summary of all that you're gonna need to become Mrs. Right.

To get your partner's name recognized as your official name, You will need to organize all the aspects in your life that need the name change, which is where a list comes in handy and you will also need to gather some important documents - Just to prove you are who you say you are, so not to worry.

To get the ball rolling, you will need a copy of the certified marriage license with the raised seal. You will also need copies of all your other old identification documents so make that your tonight mission - bunting them down.

Thanks to the Internet and technology, this process is actually quite easy now. Just visit the Social Security Administration's website and fill out an application for a new social security card and mailing it to your nearest social security office. Your number will stay the same and you'll get your new card with a different name in 10 business days. Easy right?

Your passport requires a bit more work from you but that's okay. All you need for a name change is your marriage license, not a copy or the notarized but the original and may be asked to provide a copy of your new social security and driver's license.

If you've been using your passport for less than a year then you need to visit the travel state government website and fill out the DS-5504 and then submit it by mail via USPS together with a copy of your most recent U.S passport, your marriage license, and one color passport photo. After you've done this all you have to do is sit back and wait 4-6 weeks or you can pay a little extra for expedited service.

If you've been using your passport for more than a year before you got married and now want to change your last name you may be eligible to renew your passport using form DS-82**. If you are eligible to apply via this form then all you need to do is submit your DS-82, your original marriage certificate, and a one color passport photo by mail via USPS. If you're not legible to apply for a new passport using form DS-82 then you should apply in person using form DS-11 and supporting documents mentioned above. Adult fees will be applicable for both types of applications.

The crazy long lines at the DMV and their exemplary customer service will make you procrastinate this part of the process for a little while longer but you have got to do this. And we here are cheering for you to get the process done as fast as possible so get your marriage certificate and social security in order and pull on the big-girl panties and get ready to make those queues.

Bring with you every form of identification you're asked to bring including your marriage license, your current driver's license, and your new social security card. The driver's license is different for different states so we suggest that you visit the trusted internet to know how your state does it and get any forms from there prior to visiting the offices. This will save you some much needed time and might even get your new card instanteneously. 

After you're done with the more important documents; your social security, driver's license, and passport, it is time to look at the bigger picture and start applying the change to other, equally as important aspects of your life together with your partner. The good thing about most of these other places of note is that they are much easier to handle and ask for way less paperwork and some can even be done at the comfort of your home, so yay!

After taking care of the nitty-gritty, it's time to take care of your financials next, whether you're thinking of opening joint bank accounts or straightening out your new name. The most secure or efficient way to take care of business is to visit your local bank branch and bring with you your new copies of driver's license or social security and also a certified copy of your marriage certificate. 

To change all your bank documents, take a day off to visit your bank and change your details by following the checklist below:

• Bank account
• Debit cards
• Credit cards
• Loans
• Checks
• Switching to a joint bank account
• Investment accounts

Insurance policies like auto, health, and home may have a different change process but the usual suspects, that is, your new social security, driver's license, and marriage certificate may be required. The best and probably easiest thing about going about changing your insurance policies is that you can do it via a few phone calls so you don't have to visit any offices like you do the bank. Always check the correct procedure to follow before going through policies changes so the people or institutions involved can be properly notified.

If you already had kids in school at the time of the name change, it is important that you notify the school for security reasons and also so they can follow the correct addressing methodin any official documents sent by the school. All you have to provide is your identification for this change to be effected.

As you assimilate into a more joint partnership household, you'll want to change your utility bills details. These include your electricity, water, phone and whatever other bills you might have... Just give them a quick call on how to go about the name change.

You more than likely have one doctor now as goes for everything else in your new life so remember to change your details there too including your new last name and things like your emergency contacts. You might be asked to provide a few documents of proof but that's okay because you're the boss and you already took care of the identification first before anything else.

It doesn't end with just a few places of note to change. There's so much that needs to be worked on when you go through changing your last name to that of your spouse that you literally need a checklist to organize everything and so you can know what you've already worked on, and what you haven't. 

Your legal checklist should include the following:

- Social Security Card
- Driver's license
- Vehicle License and Car Title (if any)
- Mortgage and Rent
- Credit and Debit Cards
- Checks
- Passports

Work-related checklist are:
- HR
- Paycheck
- Name Tag 
- Email Address Signature
- Business Cards
 - Resume
- Credentialing Organizations
- Professional Organizations
- W2 form

Personal checklist should have:
- Insurances in regards to Home, Vehicles, Life, and other related
- Library Card
- E-subscriptions
- Personal Emails and Signatures
- Voter Registration
- Memberships
- Religious Organizations

Your Medical Checklist is of utmost importance too:
- Doctor
- Dentist
- OB-GYN
- Therapists and Counselors
- Pharmacy
 

Any online presence on social media, if you're an active user:
- Facebook
- Twitter
- Instagram
- LinkedIn
- Website

Home Checklist:
- Landlord
- Home Owners Association
- Property Tax Office
- Utilities

Got any other important lists that we've left out? Simply make a list of your own and go through it in your time or as you wish. A list of name change items will help you organize your probably-already cluttered mind and make a little sense of the madness surrounding the process. Namelist adapted from Pairedlife

Getting the name change ball rolling can be a bit exhausting and time-consuming and it's normal to feel a bit overwhelmed by the whole process but once you get down to business, it's really not that hard. Start with the most important documents like identification and work your way down the checklists and you'll be done in time, leaving you the rest of your life to enjoy your new name and wedded bliss in harmonious, same-last-name joy.