Best way to change your name? Hitchswitch?

I am following your question, because I'm curious too, lol

I did it all on my own and I didn't think it was that hard. I just went to the social security office and brought my marriage certificate and my id and passport. All I had to do was fill out a really easy form. Then I went to the DMV and changed my license after my new ss card came in. I just changed it at the bank this past weekend because I had to go anyway to deposit some money. And I was able to change it for my job over the computer at work. I looked in to Hitchswitch, but I didn't feel like paying for something I could handle on my own

I haven’t done it yet, but I also thought about using hitch switch, then realized it wouldn’t be too hard to do it on my own.

The best advice I’ve heard though is make sure to have a copy of your marriage license on you for like the first year of your marriage, in case you forgot to switch something to your new name, you’ll at least have evidence of the name change.

Im also planning to keep my maiden name on as a second middle name. For both sentimental reasons and for the practicality of just still having both names be on my social security card, passport, etc, just in case there are issues.

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Hi Caitlyn,

Thanks! If I may ask, how long did it take for your new ss card to come in the mail? Also, was your ss office at the same place where you got your marriage certificate?

I don’t think name change services are all that helpful, from what I’ve read. I think it provides paperwork but you still need to physically go and complete your name change at all the various places. Not worth it, I just did it myself.

It’s not worth it. You’re paying them to fill out the paperwork; you still have to do the rest yourself.

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The marriage certificate will be at your county recorder's office (or your state's equivalent). Social Security Administration (a federal agency) is a separate place. It is usually pretty quick to get your new SS card - about 2 weeks or so.

OP, I would not pay to use a service to change my name. It is easy for you to do yourself and from what I understand all the service does is just give you all the forms to do yourself and then you still have to go to SSA and DMV to actually handle the process.

I looked into it, until a bit of googling revealed that I could easily take care of these things myself for far less than the cost of some service. From what I hear, you still end up doing all the paperwork anyway, so there's little point. I wouldn't recommend one of these services. I was able to print most of the blank forms I will eventually need and keep them in my desk (still blank of course), until I have the documentation to take care of everything.

I did it myself and it was pretty easy to do. This is how I did it in California.

View Quoted Comment I know it’s been a while but...

I also would like to keep my maiden name and make it a second middle name. Did you find it hard to do for yourself? All posts i’m reading are saying you can’t just change your middle name with your marriage license. You have to go through the name change process which is over $400 in my city and requires you to make a petition advertise in the newspaper go before a judge twice! Just wondering if you had any issues with your name change process?

Thanks!

View Quoted Comment I haven’t done it yet haha but I think the simplicity (or not) of it completely depends on your state. I’m in NJ and while I haven’t changed my name yet, my mom did this same thing (kept maiden name as a second middle name) in our state and had no problems. Try talking to your county clerk and seeing what the process is in your state?

View Quoted Comment Thanks for getting back to me! I was researching last night and found the same thing in CA. Some California names act where I should be easily able to change my middle name without all the extra hoops of a normal name change without getting married.

I have a pretty unique situation and their customer service agents were unerringly prompt, courteous and man -- they knew their stuff. The document package was perfect and came with clear, detailed instructions. It saved me a TON of time. Honestly, I can't recommend them highly enough!