Do you change your name after you marry? Marriage license?

Name change is basically:

1. Get Married

2. Get copy of marriage license after getting married

3. Go to SS office

4. Go to DMV

5. Everything else (passport, credit cards etc)

Changing your maiden name to middle name is different depending on what state you're in. In NJ to move your maiden to middle, requires approval from a judge. Most other states don't require that.

I know in MA as part of the application for a marriage license I have to put that I intent to change my name, and on the marriage license it say my name will change. Then I take the license as my legal documentation to change my name.

In some states, you indicate the name you'll be using on the marriage license form. In others, you don't, but you can still use the marriage certificate to change your name (first with Social Security, then with the DMV). It's a good idea to figure out what the rule is in your state, so you're not taken by surprise when you get the marriage license.

Depends on the state. In MN you decide when you take out a license. There are two lines:

Applicant #1 name before, name after

Applicant # 2 name before, name after

When you get it back from the state with a raised seal then you go to SS, DMV all that fun stuff.

Check with your state!

Check with your state but here are all the general name changing steps - hope this helps. I changed my last name to my husband's and it was not difficult at all and not too long either.

You are welcome!! Best wishes to you!!!

For California:

Go to your County Clerk/Recorders office. You can pick up your marriage licence up to 90 days before you get married. Both of you need to be present for this entire process. You will decide on your new name that day. They will ask for drivers license number, parents first, middle and last names and the county/state they were born in. I think you'll also need to know your Social Security number.

I was told the officiant will sign (day of wedding) and send our licences back to the county in which we bought the license from for filing. (can take up to 2 weeks). I was told as soon as everyone (officiant and witnesses (check you counties rules)) are done signing the document, my new name is effective and i can start using it immediately. After the two week filing period has passed I can pick up the marriage certificate from the recorders office and i will then use it to officially change my name with DMV employer, passport, etc.

There are "services" I have seen online that will do it all for you.. I think... I haven't investigated further but that was the impression the ad gave... I am sure there's still something to do and a fee but if you don't want to deal with it, it could be worth the $.