Any married ladies use HitchSwitch for name changing?

I used MsNowMrs it was $30. Honestly all the info is out there and most just takes a quick google search to find the info. The only piece of info I found there compared to what I would've found on my own was that you do the SS first and have to wait 48 hours to go to the DMV so the SS con download the info. Also if you go Friday to SS, you have to wait till Tuesday. Otherwise it's really not that hard

Just do it yourself. They can't do it for you and it costs.

You get your 'real' license.

You contact Social Security and get a new card with your new name

Then you contact the DMV in your state, change your insurance and gradually change everything else.

Thanks Celeia! You just reminded me about my car insurance....

I wouldn't waste the money. I went to SS office first and from there did my DL. Everything else as it comes up...

-We waited to start joint accounts until the name change

-did my name change at my bank while I happened to be in the branch, still have to request a new debit card

-Since my car is paid off and not selling anytime soon it looks like, they told me changing that wasn't a priorty

-Did the registration on my car while I was getting my new license.

Its really NOT that painstaking of a process. The two most time consuming ones are SS and license

Thanks ladies! So the marriage license that was signed at the wedding doesn't count for SS office right? We have to get a certified one first and take that?

To go to the SS office, do you just need your marriage license? Or what do you have to take to the SS office to get the whole name change thing started? (Yes I'm a n00b.. this is my first time at this thing).

You don't need the service. All it does is provide you with the forms you could have gotten for free. Overall the process isn't that hard, just time consuming with waiting at the ssa/dmv. But the service isn't going to save you the wait. Marriage licenses vary by state. But in CT at the marriage license signed by your officiant at the wedding needs to be submitted to the town clerk. After it is processed you request a certified copy, which you then take to the ssa, dmv, etc.

You need the certified copy of the license for the SS office (and I think I needed it for DL).

Yes, you need to wait for the certified copy. And SS and DMV aren't that painstaking of a process. I was in and out of each place in less than 20 minutes.

It's seriously easy and not worth paying for any type of website or app. I actually enjoyed changing my name with the SS office and DMV. Everyone congratulated me on my marriage and it was nice.

I believe you get an official copy at the wedding (I am also in VA) but can't remember for sure. Does it have a raised seal? If so it is fine.

You can request additional official copies as well. If you got your license in Fairfax County, I think it was 2.50/copy and they gave you an order form when you got the license. You don't need many copies, I don't think anyone kept my official copies, just needed to see the official copy.

I agree with the other ladies, do it yourself. I did it myself for my ex h, and it wasn't that bad. I would be sure to check online with SS to see what docs you need to bring, in case you also need to bring your old SS card. The bank was the easiest thing to change for me, since all they asked for was a copy of the license (which I took to a branch in person) and they changed all my accounts and cards right then and there. The other creditors were a little more of a pain, just because they wanted me to send in copies of my license. Not sure if that part has changed, but it wasn't hard to do.

I was advised to get several certified copies of your ML as some places require the original and come just copies.

Definitely check your state's requirements for changing your name on SS card and driver's license. I was about to purchase this service but researched it, and found New York does not allow you to change your name on the driver's license by mail. See https://www.dmv.org/ny-new-york/changing-your-name.php

Also, the SS card name change in NYS requires original or certified copies to do it by mail, which means sending important docs like the marriage license and birth certificate by mail. I'd rather not send those through the mail.

In the end it seemed visiting each office was the better route.

Hi ladies just got married! What do I do first with changing my name? Get a new drivers license or get a new Social Security card?

Here in the DMV (DC, MD & VA) the license is signed by the officiant and then the officiant registers the marriage with the state. After that (I usually suggest a couple weeks or when you return from your honeymoon) you can get certified copies. My advice: Get several because you might need more than one as you change your name. Social security first. Then driver's licenses and bank accounts. Take the new SS card AND the certified license with you just in case you're asked for it. So glad some of you are having fun with this.

I'm defiantly using hitch switch. I love the idea of everything coming straight to the house with pre addressed envelopes and everything is there. Id rather pay a little extra to make it easier on myself.

Unfortunately I didn't think Hitchswitch was worth the premium $$$. You'll be fine going at it after doing some homework online for a few minutes. The only mistake I made was not getting a certified copy of the marriage license in advance of my appointment with the passport agency (I needed a rush) - and hitchswitch didn't prevent this by stipulating that you need a certified copy.

I used a similar service, I can't remember if it was HitchSwitch or MsNowMrs, but it was absolutely not worth it, at least in NY. I paid $60 and filled out a brief online form, and they sent me the required forms and "addressed" envelopes (which were not even addressed correctly). The forms were only partially filled out, and I still had to do 90% of the work. As someone commented above, if you do some online research, you can figure it out pretty easily. For those of you in New York, I've written out this handy guide based on what I did:

How To Change Your Name in NY (After Marriage)

Note that although many of these offer a mail-in option, it takes much longer and it's not guaranteed to go through properly. Approximate time estimates are based on my experience. If you have a specific circumstance that makes these instructions not applicable to you, let me know (********@*****.***) and I can help you figure it out.

1. Visit City Hall and purchase 3-5 certified copies of your marriage certificate. Prior to your visit, fill out an application here: https://www1.nyc.gov/cityclerkformsonline/recordRequest.htm?PARAM_TARGET=_target0&page=0

Bring your US driver's license or other ID. The cost is $15 for the first copy and $10 for each additional copy. Total time = approx. 20 min.

2. Visit your closest Social Security Administration office in NYC. Fill out this application before you visit: https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ss-5.pdf

See this list for identification you should bring with you: https://www.ssa.gov/ssnumber/ss5doc.htm

Total time = approx. 45 min

SS card takes approx. 2 weeks to arrive.

3. Call the customer service line for your banks and credit cards and inform them that you have legally changed your name. Most can change it over the phone with no documentation, but some will require you to stop by a branch with a certified copy of your marriage certificate. Call / write your landlord, utilities and anything else in your maiden name to inform them about your legal name change and inquire about their required documentation. Banks and businesses differ in what they'll need.

4. Change your name on your passport through the mail. Visit a drug store or photo shop and get 2 passport size photos.

If you received your passport less than one year ago, fill out this form: http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/212249.pdf

This is free unless you select expedited service, which costs $60.

If you received your passport over one year ago, fill out this form:

http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/212241.pdf

This will cost $110, unless you select expedited service, which costs $170.

Include your application, a certified copy of your marriage certificate, your current passport, your passport sized photos and a check for your fees made out to US Department of State. Mail all of this to:

ROUTINE:

National Passport Processing Center Post Office Box 90155

Philadelphia, PA ****

EXPEDITED:

National Passport Processing Center Post Office Box 90955

Philadelphia, PA ****

Total time = approx. 6 weeks for routine, 3 weeks for expedited.

4. When you receive your new Social Security card, make an appointment to visit your local DMV here: https://visit.dmv.ny.gov/onlineReserve/indexB.html

Fill out the MV-44 prior to your visit and bring appropriate identification and a certified copy of your marriage certificate. The DMV lays out the process nicely here:

https://dmv.ny.gov/address-change/change-your-name-or-non-address-information-dmv-documents#license

The cost is $12.50 for a new license.

Total time = approx. 45 min.

5. Bring your new license and SS card to HR at your job so they can change your name in their records.

We did it ourselves. It was simple once we knew what to do. If you want to save time, then Hitch Switch is great.

Otherwise, you can follow Alyssa's steps, or this step by step guide: www.ourpeacefulfamily.com/how-to-change-your-name-after-marriage/

All those sites really do is send you a list of steps and the appropriate paperwork, which can easily be found online They can't actually get your name changed anywhere, because you'll need to go in person or mail in valid government ids and your certified marriage license!!

First things first, you'll have to wait until you can pick up certified copies of your marriage license. After you sign your marriage license on your wedding day, your officiant mails in the completed license and it is processed by the state. Ask the county clerk's office in the county where you applied for your marriage license if they can mail you your marriage license or if you need to pick it up in person!

Once you have your marriage license - you're good to go! You have to start by changing your name on your social security card, then you can change your license, then your passport, then everywhere else

Here's a step by step guide from WW on how to legally change your name:

https://www.weddingwire.com/wedding-ideas/etiquette-advice/how-to-legally-change-your-name-after-marriage

https://www.weddingwire.com/wedding-ideas/etiquette-advice/5-lessons-i-learned-while-changing-my-last-name