Season of Change: How To Legally Change Your Name

While planning the big day, your focus is mainly on event details, guest lists and your ensemble. However, for anyone who has decided to change their name to reflect their new status, another “adventure” begins once the vendors have been tipped and the relatives have departed.

Understandably, many newlyweds have no idea what to expect when they begin the name-changing process for the first time. Enter Colie Christensen, founder of NewlyNamed, a name-change kit service designed to make formalizing your new last name a breeze.

Colie details the eight “places” newlyweds must remember to change their names...

SOCIAL SECURITY

IRS

U.S. PASSPORT

DRIVER’S LICENSE

VOTER REGISTRATION

VEHICLE TITLE & REGISTRATION

PROFESSIONAL LICENSES & CERTIFICATIONS

PERSONAL ACCOUNTS such as banks, credit unions, credit cards, investment accounts, frequent flyer programs, travel programs (TSA Pre, Global Entry, etc.) and more. When couples work with NewlyNamed, Colie notes: “We have 3,000+ companies (personal accounts) in our database that our customers can select and add to their kit. Most select 20-30.”

It’s important to begin by updating your name with the Social Security Administration (SSA) by filling out form Form SS-5, the application for a new social security card (can be done by mail or online). This step is foundational because your name officially and legally changes after it’s updated with the SSA and the IRS, making it possible to change your name everywhere else. However, it’s important to mention that even though your name is changed in the SSA’s system, you’ll still need to update it everywhere else to match.

“Once your name is updated with the SSA, other entities can reference it to confirm your new legal name,” explains Colie. This sets the stage for the next steps in the name change process. After updating your name with the SSA, the following locations typically require attention:

IRS: Changing your name with SSA will update your name with the Internal Revenue Service, however, it’s pertinent to note that you should wait about 10-14 days after you change your name with the SSA to file your tax return!

U.S. PASSPORT: Apply for a new passport with your updated name. This usually requires submitting Form DS-11 along with supporting documents like yourmarriage certificate and current passport.

DRIVER’S LICENSE: Bring your new Social Security card, a completed Oregon driver’s license application, your current ID and your passport or certified birth certificate to your DMV appointment. Be prepared; you’ll have to take a new license photo.

VOTER REGISTRATION: Update your information quickly and easily online—find more information at