When to start using your last name

I did right away, because I started the name change process right away. The day we got back from our honeymoon, I went to the social security office. That day (in my eyes) it was my new legal name so I started using it (that week I also changed my driver's license & passport), then went on to change bank accounts, credit cards, student loan account, car registration, voter registration, email, social media, etc.

Thanks everyone! I think you're all right, as long as it's not on anything legal I'll use my new one. Has anyone tried the hitchswitch.com service for the name changing process?

Soon as we returned from our honeymoon!

I used my new last name immediately and took about a year before I changed it legally. In my initial correspondence at work I signed using my new last name but then in parenthesis added "fka former last name" - so the reader wasn't confused. ("fka" means formerly known as.) I did this for a few months just to make sure people understood the name change transition.

As for using a name change service like hitchswitch, don't bother. All they do is gather the forms for you; they don't actually change your name. The forms are easy to get yourself and are free and you still need to physically go to SS office and DMV to complete the process. Save your money.

I started going by my married name pretty much immediately. I did not sign any emails with it until it was legally changed, but I changed it on social media and people started referring to me as Mrs. very quickly. I changed everything about 2 weeks after the wedding, and then started signing things with it.

Thank you for asking this! I was wondering the exact same thing

I'm deciding the same thing. I don't want to confuse my kids so i'll start in the beginning of next school year (we are getting married in April). But a teacher did this. Once she got married, she started using her new last name. Freaked me out cause it was 3 month into the school year and she was a new teacher. But i'll see what happens and if i just want to start using it. i'll probably use it in social setting for sure. I'm just excited to change my last name.

Social settings are certainly fine! That's very sweet of your coworkers to surprise you with a new name plate! First "legal" step is visiting the social security office - I went early this week. Yay! After that - DMV. I will still sign my maiden name until my professional credentials are processed and formally updated. I hope that process doesn't take too long!