October 13, 2008

  • So You Wanna Change Your Name?

    It's easier than I ever imagined.  Before I got married, I knew I wanted to change my name.  I also knew that I wanted to do what my mother did when she got married.  She just kept her last time by making it a part of her middle name and then added her new last name.  How could I just delete any part of my name?  So, keeping all of it was the best decision. 

    Step 1:  I printed the SS-5 form online and filled it out. I went to the Social Security office with the completed form, my marriage license, and my driver's license.  There was almost no line, and I literally waited for less than 10 minutes.  It was so fast.  She took my form and licenses, typed in the information in her computer, and printed out a confirmation for me.  She told me to sign it saying that I received this letter.  I was unclear when my new name would be official, so I signed it using just my maiden name.  She looked at it, and quickly slid the letter back to me saying I need to sign it with my new name!    The letter stated that I would get my new SS card within two weeks. I actually ended up getting it within a week.

    Step 2: I went to the RMV in Chinatown.  I filled out the form they gave me to change information on my driver's license.  I waited for about 30 minutes.  All they asked for was my license and the completed form.  I don't even remember them asking for my marriage license or my SS card. Unfortunately, the RMV couldn't fit my new whole name on my license, so I had to quickly make a decision.  I ended up having my first name, middle initial, maiden last name, and new last name put on my license.  It actually looks weird since my middle initial and maiden last name is one word.  If I could do it all over again, I would've just put my middle initial and the initial of my maiden name.  I immediately had to take a new picture too which I did not plan on, so now I don't really like my new license picture either.  I would get my new license within a week.

    Step 3:  On that same day, I went to the bank to change my name.  They asked to see my marriage license and my new driver's license (which was just a temporary license until I get the real one in the mail).  Since Roger and I have joint account, I ended up having to bring home a few forms for him to sign.  I returned them the next day. 

    Step 4:  Since I'm going to the DR this December, I needed up renew my passport.  This was the perfect time since I wanted to change my name anyway.  I picked up a mail-in passport renewal form from the post office.  I had passport photos taken and attached those to the application.  I also sent them my marriage license and my old passport.  I believe it cost me around $70 too.  I received my new passport within 60 days.  They also returned all my documents to me. 

    Step 5:  It was pretty easy changing my name at work too.  It was just a matter of filling out new forms with my new name.  It literally tok me 10 minutes to fill them out and return them to my HR department. 

    I still have yet to change my name on my student loans.  I have to write a letter and fax that with a copy of my new social security card in order to officially change my name.  I believe that's it!

    The only thing in the whole name changing process did I find scary was when I went on my trip to Seattle and Portland this past August after the wedding.  I bought my tickets for this trip before the official name change, and you can't change the name on the ticket since tickets are not transferable even if you get married.  Delta just told me that I will just need to bring my marriage license with me and show the gate when they check my license and ticket.  Not only did the TSA peeps never ask for my marriage license, I actually at first just gave it to them to show that I was the person on the ticket.  Eventually, I never even offered it as evidence, and they just let me through.  Does anyone see any problems with this?  This happened at the Boston, Seattle, and Portland airports.  Tsk. Tsk.