Do not pay to change your name or get a new SS card!

Don't do it. It's not hard, it doesn't cost and those sites are pretty much useless.

1. get your 'real' license

2. contact SS and change your name (if you're going to do that) and your status.

3. go to the DMV and change your drivers license.

4. From there? pro licenses, the bank, subscriptions, all the other stuff you need to change.

Go to social security and the DMV. I had it all done in less than half day! I took the day off work and went to social security office then DMV. Was painless and easy.

I actually went to SS today, I was in and out in 45 mins. Just needed my SS card, application, and marriage license.

Lauren, just curious, how did you change your name already if your wedding isn't until July?

@Lauren17 the DMV is never painless or easy lol but otherwise yea no websites.... just do things the old fashion way and go to the offices in person.

Those services are a waste. I spent maybe 2 hours total changing my name on everything.

ETACMC she unexpectedly had to go to the courthouse at the last minute for insurance purposes. That was her original date when she's having her vow renewal.

It's only free to change your name within 15 days of getting married so keep that in mind when you go to change it. Especially for DW or longer honeymoons. It's not expensive, but they do charge after that time frame

Ahh gotcha thanks La Grosera! April I got married 2 months ago and did not have to pay for a new SS card.

CMC that's weird. My friend got married within the last month, but over 15 days and she had to pay either $5 or $10 because of it

I don't think my sister had to pay anything either. Perhaps it depends on the area your in?

Sorry! Wrong thread.

Oooh, I was wondering about this - I'm going to SS this afternoon. Will they issue a new card right then and there allowing me to go to the DMV?

I feel like she got scammed lol I don't see why it would matter the area you live in since it's a federal thing and not a local government issue, but maybe it does. Ignore my previous comment then about being charged

I never understood why people were so lazy that they'd rather pay money to get their name changed rather than follow some easy steps for free.

@April - maybe she had to pay the DMV, not SS. I know my DMV in FL requires you to pay if you don't change your license within 30 days of moving or changing your name.

Because we had our wedding 7/1/16. Our celebration of marriage is 7/1/17

I had to wait for new SS card but they gave me a sheet stating I applied for new SS card. I took that and my marriage license along with proof of address and drivers license to DMV and most painful part was waiting 45mins for them to call my number. Otherwise wasn't bad at all and in a few weeks my SS card was mailed. ( I don't remember exactly how long it took) but not too long.

@Jones your new SS card comes in the mail. You'll get a document acknowledging your name change that you take to the DMV along with your certified marriage license. Where I live you have to wait until the next business day to be able to go to the DMV.

@LaG & @Lauren, thanks so much for the insight!

Also---I mailed my information into the SS office. I've heard a lot of people say they're afraid to do that, and I was a little too, but I just sent it in with tracking. I got my documents back in the mail less than a week later, and the new SS card in the mail just a few days after that. YMMV--but mailing it in worked for me.

I'm doing this right now! Thanks for the PSA @AMW!! I already thought those sites were kind of a waste of time because they don't actually do anything for you, but I hadn't thought of scam sites as well!

I went in to the SS office instead of mailing my stuff in, because another co-worker recently had it take 2 months for her to get her documents back by mail It took me maybe 20 minutes total - so easy! I waited until my new SS card came in (around 10 business days) and then went to the DMV this week. Again it was super easy, but I did have to pay $20 for a new license. Just finished filling out my passport forms and it's going to cost me $110 - there's a fee calculator online and it depends on whether or not you have your previous passport, if it's expired, what age you were when you got your last one, etc.