| Marriage is many things. They're fun, | | | | And while you're going through the process of |
| expensive and require a lot of planning, but | | | | changing your name, you might want to |
| a wedding is also first a legal matter. And | | | | consider changing your address, too. You've |
| as such, there are steps the couple must | | | | just got to double-check the timing. If it |
| preform so that the union is recognizable in | | | | dont turn out right, you can take a change of |
| the eyes of the law. They'll need a wedding | | | | address kit easily enough and complete this |
| license, but before that, the bride must make | | | | when you come back from the honeymoon. It's |
| an important decision - to except her future | | | | not really necessary to begin the process of |
| husband's surname or continue to use her | | | | changing your name until about 2 weeks before |
| maiden name. | | | | your wedding, so do whatever makes most |
| | | | sense. |
| You'd think that a name was just a name and | | | | |
| changing it wouldn't be such a big deal, but | | | | One other aspect of the name change process |
| it really is. During previous generations | | | | that requires careful timing is planning your |
| whether or not a woman changed her last name | | | | honeymoon. You might be better off making |
| was something that wasn't given a second | | | | your reservations using your maiden name if |
| thought. The woman took her husband's name | | | | you won't have official identification (or an |
| and that was that. But recently, women have | | | | updated passport) with your new name ready |
| challenged this tradition. There is no law | | | | before you leave. You don't have to |
| that says a woman's last name must change in | | | | experience any unnecessary delays. |
| marriage, so really this decision is a matter | | | | |
| of personal choice. | | | | When dealing with the marriage license, be |
| | | | sure to check the requirements in your state |
| For those women who go a head and change | | | | of residence ahead of time. Each state will |
| their last names, the process to change isn't | | | | vary with some states requiring one or more |
| hard, but it can take time. Besides making | | | | witnesses and others requiring blood tests |
| the changes with the federal Social Security | | | | and/or physical exams, and others requiring |
| Administration, which thats where it all | | | | something else such as a waiting period. |
| begins, a woman must also change the name on | | | | Regardless of the state, you are going to pay |
| all her certificates, her credit card | | | | for a marriage license. Costs will range from |
| accounts, her bank and all financial | | | | a low of $25 to a high of $100 or more. |
| insurance related documents, utilities bills, | | | | You'll both need to be present and you'll |
| property deeds, clubs at which she is part of | | | | likely need to bring a birth certificate and |
| and at her work - not only for Human Resource | | | | proper identification. |
| and erning tax purposes, but so that a new | | | | |
| email address and new business info can be | | | | Then breathe a sigh of relief, because you're |
| created. | | | | almost there! |
| | | | |