Last name change for my wife

[Richard 2000 0]

We have our intial interview in a few days and wanted to know a few things. We just applied for her SSN a few days ago. At what point can my wife last name chnage from her madan name? Our wedding certificate shows her last name and my last name. We got married April 06 in las vegas.

How does one start a last name change. I guess if she does carry my last name all her credit cards and Drivers licence will need to change as well. Or should we wait after out initial interview? Either way I think I dont have time anyway

Rich

[Cécy 44]

I think you only have a certain number of month (or years) to get your name changed without going through a court after a wedding.

Check what the legislation is in your state.

What they tell you when you get married is: go to the SS, present your marriage license and tell them what name(s) you want on your SS card.

Then you can go to the DMV and they'll be able to change your name on the driving license as well.

Edit: If your wife is a foreign citizen: did you apply with the maiden or married name for the GC? If with the maiden name you will have to fill a certain paper (fee) to have that changed or ask at the interview that you want it under the married name.

If she is a US citizen, just do the SS & DMV and then contact bank, insurance, etc.

Edited July 26, 2007 by Cécy

[Richard 2000 0]

Ok, thanks, so We made a mistake the other day when we went to the SS office and got her SS with her maden name and not mine. Could we go back to the SS office and modify it?

We married April 2006

Edited July 26, 2007 by Richard 2000

[JamalNTam 1]

I'm going through the same thing and we got married in Vegas too! 2 days ago I went to change my name with SSA. They advised me to wait 48 before going to get my name changed with DMV. I've been added onto my husbands bank accounts with my new name and I have received a military spouse ID with my new married name, so all my health insurance etc will be in that. I think that I will keep my maiden name on my passport though, only coz I dont want to have to get a new one!!!!

[Cécy 44]

Ok, thanks, so We made a mistake the other day when we went to the SS office and got her SS with her maden name and not mine. Could we go back to the SS office and modify it?

Go and see what they can do... After all the SS card usually takes a while to arrive... In any case you can always get it changed after you receive it, it just means a longer wait...

[YuAndDan 153]

This varies by state, some require it to be done legally, others don't.

In NY there is a place on the marriage license to specify married name preference, the marriage cert will then show married name.

Start here: http://web.co.wake.nc.us/courts/documents/...hange092605.rtf

[SC & TF 1]

Yes it depends on your State. In MN, it's the same as in NY, where you write your preferred last name on your marriage license. However, if you want to change your name after that, you have to pay a fee and go to court. For the SS card, you'll need to present your marriage cert. as one of the supporting documents. Therefore the name on your marriage cert. is what will be on your SS card. Good luck.

Edited July 26, 2007 by SC & TF