Have you used Hitchswitch to change your name? How was your experience?

I didn’t use it because it doesn’t actually change your name, just sends you the forms which are already free to you at those various places. You still need to fill out the forms and contact or go to all the places.

I found it to be completely unnecessary. You can google what you need to do and it's no more difficult. HitchSwitch and companies similar to it don't actually do the WORK for you - you still have to do everything, mail everything to the proper places, etc.

The forms and the info are free - you're basically paying them to put them all in one pretty package. Totally not worth it IMO

Don't pay to change your name, it's super easy to do on your own. Here's what I did:

-Got marriage certificate
-Mailed away to social security for my name change there
-Got new SS card, stopped in and changed my license on a lunch break
-Mailed away for new passport
-Made a list of banks and credit cards to change my name on and started ticking them off one at a time over the next few days/weeks.

The while process was way easier than I ever thought it would be. I probably could have been done in a week or two, but I just kept putting off changing my credit cards.

I don't think those kind of websites pull small/random things either like social media, apps, etc. They usually just pull major documents that you can just get for free yourself.

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This is useful information Kelly, thank you. I was considering this service as well, but I think I'll be just fine without it.

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Kelly,

Hmmm...yea it's like what do they do than? If I just had a complete list that could be pulled from my SSN # that would do half of my brains work for me, and I'd be very excited. Than I could just check off the list as I get it done.

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Melissa,

Thank you for this..yea doesn't quite sound worth it.

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Victoria,
See that's kind of what I was originally thinking, super easy, but I'm just wondering...what I'm I forgetting on the list? I totally didn't even think about voter registration or vehicle registration.

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Sounds too good to be true. What's easier? Calling your student loan place and be on the phone for hours just to have them give you the form you need or have a place just give all the forms you need right to you.

I'd say second, BUT...I'd rather it just do it myself and have companies make it easier on us to find the information, ha!

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Yes, I agree.

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In my case at least, all my loans (mortgage & student loans & credit cards) let me change that information online, or at least let me print out the form & send it over. Those companies you pay to "change" your name don't fill out or file or send the forms to debt companies, they just email you the form to fill out yourself.

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I'm hoping some of mine will be like this, as well. I'm actually super surprised at myself for not looking into all of those details yet. My brain is super organized and I plan plan plan..you'd think I'd look into this already but to tell you the truth changing my name wasn't even on on my mind, it was like WAY in the back. Once I decided to it was like ok, I'll get things done once I get the marriage certificate, because it looked super easy for the SSN and DMV. The whole writing a list etc checking it twice...not on my radar...it is NOW, LOL

How can the husband change his name before the marriage? What are the steps? He needs to change his now because we will have a new name together when we get married this year. He needs to get an LLC for his business as soon as possible so we are doing our best to change his name right now. Following the wedding I will (much more easily) change my last name.

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How did you ":mail away for SS name change." All the info on the website says you HAVE to come in person. I talked to someone at the SS office and they said you have to send ORIGINALS of everything to them which I am very afraid to do.... send original of passport or DL? That doesn't even make sense.

View Quoted Comment You can submit the documentation in person or by mail. If you decide to mail it out, you have to send the originals. They will then send them back once they are done with them. You can send the documents with tracking so that you can get confirmation they are recieved as an extra piece of mind. Alternatively, you can wait until your local SS office is open for in-person business and go in person. This way you show them the documents and they give them back to you right away.

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Thanks, Hannah! That's what I thought. I'm just not comfortable sending all those originals by mail.... :/ But you're right, better to send with tracking, etc. I just don't think they can turn things around quickly under the circumstances.

Appreciate the fast reply!