| After a wedding it is common for a bride to take | | | | and your business cards for when you get |
| the last name of her new husband. While the | | | | back.Name Change Checklist |
| though of changing the name you have always | | | | - Social Security Change Application: |
| known can be an emotional task, taking the legal | | | | - Driver's License - check your local DMV |
| steps to change it can be even more confusing. | | | | - U.S. Passport Agency |
| We have put together some important tips to | | | | - U.S. Post Office |
| consider and remember when going through the | | | | - Employer / Work |
| legal process of changing your name after the big | | | | - Car/Title Company |
| day. | | | | - School or Alumni Associations |
| - Wait until you return from your honeymoon if | | | | - 401k / Retirement plans |
| you are taking one to change your name. While | | | | - Bank accounts / names on checkbook |
| you are on your honeymoon you will need your | | | | - Mortgage |
| legal documents such as a passport, ID, drivers | | | | - Post Office (change of address) |
| license and credit cards and you don't want to | | | | - Voter registration Card |
| have to worry about having your names not | | | | - Credit card company |
| match while traveling. | | | | - Doctor, dentist, HMO |
| - Start with your driver's license and social | | | | - Health, life, auto, and home insurance policies |
| security card. Once you have those changed it will | | | | - Clubs and Gyms |
| be much easier to change other records such as | | | | - Magazines and Memberships |
| banking accounts, memberships and other legal | | | | - Discount, courtesy, and frequent-flyer cards |
| documents since you already have a piece of | | | | - Utility companies (phone, cable, gas, electric, etc.) |
| identification legally showing your new name. | | | | - Legal Contracts |
| - Consider meeting with a lawyer regarding your | | | | - Will (you may want to change the beneficiary to |
| legal name change before the wedding. You and | | | | your spouse at the same time) Most importantly... |
| your husband might be considering a prenuptial | | | | Start using your new name! It will feel weird and |
| agreement, or you might want to have a will | | | | may sound funny at first, but the more you start |
| drawn up. A good lawyer can advise you about | | | | using it your friends and family and coworkers will |
| these and other matters. | | | | catch on and get used to it and before you know |
| - Tell your job before the wedding so they can | | | | it you'll think it sounds weird when you hear your |
| start the process of changing your email address, | | | | maiden name. |