Name
changing your
A
fter months of planning your non-certified copies as well. wedding and all the details that One of the first documents that go along with making your should be changed is your Social Secuspecial day one to remember, you’re rity card. finally able to relax and enjoy spending This should be on the top of your time with your new spouse. to-do list as some banks want your But if you or your spouse plan on new name on your Social Security card changing your name, there is more before opening an account. Updating work to be done. your card will also How does that work, ensure your wages exactly? are posted correctFrom changing ly to your Social your driver’s license, Security records. to bank account, Changing your Social Security card, Social Security and more, getting card cannot be • Thank you notes your name changed done online; on all official however there is • Vendor reviews documents can be no charge to make • Dress cleaning and/or a process, but it is the changes. important to ensure To change your preservation accuracy. name on your • Gift returns Don’t try to start Social Security the name change card you will need • Registry completion game before you say, to complete Form “I do.” It’s a waste SS-5. These forms of time and you have can be obtained plenty of other priorat http://www. ities to take care of. socialsecurity.gov/ Instead, start after you say your vows. forms/ss-5.pdf. Additionally, you will First, stop by your county’s Register need proof of your identity. Sometimes of Deeds office and get at least two you also may need to prove your curcertified copies of your marriage license. rent U.S. citizenship or lawful noncitIt is a good idea to make several more izen status. This can be done with a
More Post-Wedding Tasks to Tackle
24
driver’s license, passport, or state-issued, non-driver ID card. Mail your application to your local Social Security office. To change your driver’s license, stop by your local department of motor vehicles office. You will need to bring a certified copy of your marriage license. If your license has a gold star in the upper right corner, you will also need to bring your current driver’s license or ID card, two documents proving your residential address such as a utility bill, bank stub, phone bill among other items. If your license does not contain the star you will need to bring more items. This includes a document that proves your date of birth, identity and citizenship. This can be a valid and unexpired U.S. Passport, a certified copy of your birth certificate as well as other items. You will also need to bring documents that prove your Social Security number. This can be your Social Security card, a W-2 form, or a pay stub with your name and full Social Security number. For more information on what documents are needed, visit http://dps. sd.gov. Now that you have a new Social Security card and driver’s license, other documents can be updated. If international travel is in your future, be sure to update or receive a passport. You may run into troubles if you have a passport in one name and a driver’s license in another. Find need to know info at http://travel.state.gov. It does take a while for your passport to be issued - four to six weeks, however expedited processing can be requested for a charge. If you are honeymooning abroad and are using your maiden name and will later change your name, don’t worry about losing all your visas and stamps. Your old, cancelled passport can be sent separately from your new passport. Other documents should be changed such as bank accounts and mortgages, credit cards, investments, utilities, health insurance, voter registration, other legal documents and with your employer. Each entity seems to have its own policy when it comes to the name change game, but relax, and enjoy your new spouse. n
2020 - 2021 • Black Hills I DO
