1. Be Thankful
If at all possible, before you leave for your honeymoon, open all of the cards and gifts you have received... and make a list of who gave what. Bring your list and your "Thank You" cards in your carry-on for your honeymoon. If you are flying anywhere, airport layovers and long plane rides are the perfect time to get these done!!! Hubby and I had 90% of our finished before we got home and it was one less thing to worry about (we also got about a bunch of comments from other newlyweds who said they wished they thought of doing it too!).
2. What's My Name?
If changing your name, start as soon as you return from your honeymoon. The sooner, the better as some services (passport, for example) have a certain time frame that you are able to change your name with little or no charge... after that window has elapsed, you have to pay higher or additional fees.
I changed my name through Social Security first. If at all possible, go to the office to do this- otherwise you have to mail in your original marriage certificate and wait for it to be returned. I was in and out with a new name in about 20 minutes and my new card came in about a week later.
Next was the DMV. This was horrible. I actually made 4 trips (well 3 and then once I drove all the way out there to find out they were closed on Fridays. pfff).
Next up were all of my accounts... bank, credit cards, store rewards cards, etc. Some of these were as simple as a phone call, a few of them I could even change online myself... others wanted pictures, forms, signatures and possibly my first born. You never know. I sat down one night with my wallet and went through card by card, changing everything that I could. I got through them all for the most part.... there will be a few stragglers, but I will get to them when the next bill comes, I'm sure.
Finally, my passport. See #4 below for details. $110. Ouch.
Here is what I learned:
1. It is best to change your driver's license and vehicle registration at the same time (to avoid multiple trips as above). In order to do this, you will need your marriage certificate, title for your car AND proof of insurance in your new name. So before you even bother going to the DMV, change your name through your insurance (mine was as simple as a phone call) and dig out your title.
2. I hate the DMV
3. There will always be "one more".... even though I sat down with my wallet and went through card-by-card, I still get random pieces of mail and bills in my maiden name. It's only been a few months, but I expect this to continue for at least another year. Just when I think "That HAS to be the last one"... one more pops up.
**4. For your passport, you have one year from the *date of issue* to change your name, NOT the date of marriage/legal name change. After one year, you have to apply for (and PAY for) a brand new passport. $110... again. So... if you do not yet have a passport, but will need one for your honeymoon, wait until about 6 months out. This leaves enough time for breathing room (passports can take 3-4 months) and you will still have 6 months after your wedding to change your name. I suggest changing your name as soon as you return from your honeymoon. Also, you will have to turn in your old passport in order to apply for a name change, so don't plan on going anywhere outside of the US for a while.
I changed my name through Social Security first. If at all possible, go to the office to do this- otherwise you have to mail in your original marriage certificate and wait for it to be returned. I was in and out with a new name in about 20 minutes and my new card came in about a week later.
Next was the DMV. This was horrible. I actually made 4 trips (well 3 and then once I drove all the way out there to find out they were closed on Fridays. pfff).
Next up were all of my accounts... bank, credit cards, store rewards cards, etc. Some of these were as simple as a phone call, a few of them I could even change online myself... others wanted pictures, forms, signatures and possibly my first born. You never know. I sat down one night with my wallet and went through card by card, changing everything that I could. I got through them all for the most part.... there will be a few stragglers, but I will get to them when the next bill comes, I'm sure.
Finally, my passport. See #4 below for details. $110. Ouch.
Here is what I learned:
1. It is best to change your driver's license and vehicle registration at the same time (to avoid multiple trips as above). In order to do this, you will need your marriage certificate, title for your car AND proof of insurance in your new name. So before you even bother going to the DMV, change your name through your insurance (mine was as simple as a phone call) and dig out your title.
2. I hate the DMV
3. There will always be "one more".... even though I sat down with my wallet and went through card-by-card, I still get random pieces of mail and bills in my maiden name. It's only been a few months, but I expect this to continue for at least another year. Just when I think "That HAS to be the last one"... one more pops up.
**4. For your passport, you have one year from the *date of issue* to change your name, NOT the date of marriage/legal name change. After one year, you have to apply for (and PAY for) a brand new passport. $110... again. So... if you do not yet have a passport, but will need one for your honeymoon, wait until about 6 months out. This leaves enough time for breathing room (passports can take 3-4 months) and you will still have 6 months after your wedding to change your name. I suggest changing your name as soon as you return from your honeymoon. Also, you will have to turn in your old passport in order to apply for a name change, so don't plan on going anywhere outside of the US for a while.