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Name Change

The other day while listening to the radio, I heard a report stating that according to a recent nationwide survey, 70% of Americans believe that a woman should change her last name to her husband’s after marrying, and 50% believe it should be the law! OK, now that’s going a little too far. Whatever happened to personal choice? Freedom of expression?

Of course, name changing is not as big a deal as it was years ago in the aftermath of the feminist movement. Back then many just-married ladies opted not to change their names in the interest of making a statement about preserving their own independence and identity. But today, most brides consider it a non-issue and can’t wait to be called Mrs.

I’m curious, though, how many of you plan to keep your current name professionally? I know quite a few women who have done so, and it seems to make things easier for them not to have to notify hundreds who know them professionally by their pre-marriage name. Other married career women have tried hyphenating their last names with their husband’s and then eventually just adopted his last name as more business associates became familiar with it.

Since most of you will be changing your last name I thought I’d offer some helpful tips on just what you need to do. It’s amazing how many places need to be notified of a name change so here we go:

  1. Change your Social Security card: Visit your nearest Social Security office, go online or call 800-772-1213 for details.
  2. Change your driver’s license: Go to your Department of Motor Vehicles to fill out a change-of-name request form and bring your current driver’s license and marriage license.
  3. Change your passport: Now, this process requires your marriage license and can take about six weeks so when making your honeymoon travel reservations use your name on your current passport. To download the name-change passport forms you’ll need, go to travel.state.gov/passport/get/correcting/correcting_2654.html. Send the completed forms back with your old passport, two new passport-sized photos, your marriage license and any required fees.
  4. Financial institutions/funds/lending companies: Notify banks, credit card companies, the IRS and mortgage or loan companies and change your name on any stocks and bonds, leases and 401(k) retirement funds.

The following should also be notified of your name change:

  1. Insurance companies (health, life, auto and home)
  2. Utility companies (phone, cable, gas and electric)
  3. Your Employer
  4. Doctors’ offices
  5. Magazine subscriptions and club memberships
  6. Voter registration
  7. Post Office

Whew! I think this covers just about everyone. Now, if you’re looking at this list and inwardly groaning about all the paperwork and time involved, never fear. Wouldn’t you know that there are sites created to help out busy brides like you? One such site to check out is MissNowMrs.com. For $29.95, they will do most of the work for you and save you lots of precious hours. I hope this helps and let me know if you have any other concerns, problems or questions.

Posted by Diane at 4:36 p.m.