Process of Last Name Change

First, you need to go to the social security office. From there, you will get a new SS card in the mail and can move on with changing your ID, bank card, passport, etc.

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Do you know if there's a "deadline" that this needs to be done by?

I am assuming I have to wait until the marriage license comes back to me to apply for the new social. Iol

View Quoted Comment I’m not sure about a deadline. I’ve heard of that in some states, but not sure if it’s the case for all states.
Yes, you will need a certified copy of your marriage license for your new SS card. I also needed it to change my ID.

View Quoted Comment This is helpful! I haven’t even looked into this process yet lol

Everyone always says social security card first but literally none of the other places asked to see my changed social security card so idk if that’s just how it worked for me or... 🤷🏻‍♀️ Still do that first just in case. It was really quick and easy. I was in and out in 20 mins (and about 15 of that was just waiting my turn).



Changing your license is obviously the most annoying because the DMV sucks 😂 once you get that done though that’s really the worst of it.

Passport is another thing that’s a bit of a hassle. I just went to the post office and asked the protocol. All they asked for was my marriage license and my current passport. I filled out a giant form and they mailed it for me. Cost a little over $100 (oof 😖) but the process itself wasn’t bad.

With airlines, if you have an account (like mileageplus or Aadvantage with American Airlines or something) make sure you call them and request the name on your account to be changed. It isn’t enough to just change it on a ticket! The account itself has to match the ticket. And make sure not to do this until your license/passport is also changed (so your ID matches your ticket, matches your mileage rewards account)

Health insurance is also a big one! And make sure to change it with your doctors too so that the name at your doctor appointments matches your insurance, or that could cause a problem!

Other than that it’s just like, credit cards and such which is more of a pain than it should be (they all want a copy of your marriage license, etc) but I only bothered to change 2 of my 4 credit cards. The other 2 were just too much of a headache to bother getting a new one and no one has ever questioned the name on the card.

I needed the social security confirmation paper to take to the dmv, and I needed the drivers license for everything else. So yes social security is first. Then dmv, then passport, bank, credit cards, employer, insurance, doctors offices. The whole thing took me about 2 weeks, and a few more weeks to get my new passport in the mail.

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It's a fairly easy process. The worst part is waiting at the SS office and the DMV. Otherwise, everything can be done online. I was dreading it, but once I did it, I realized it was not so bad .

Check to see what your deadline is in your state. In Ga, you are supposed to have everything switched over within 30 days (mainly applies to social security and the DMV). You will also have to wait until you get your marriage license back.

Social security office, DMV, bank and any online accounts (Etsy, Amazon, Paypal etc), Passport

Paypal I know for sure is one that you have to submit a pdf of your new DL and marriage license in order to change your name so it wouldn't hurt to get a scan of each to have for anyone else that may need them.

Social security office is your first stop. Be sure to bring your original marriage license and all other necessary documentation. After that's completed, you can move on to changing your driver's license, bank cards, passport, etc.