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Changing Last Name After Marriage In The State of Michigan

Say good bye to your maiden name and hello to your new surname. A quick list of the things and places when changing your last name after marriage.

You are now finally married and officially a Mrs. It may take a while for it to sink in and adjust to a new last name. Maybe changing last name after marriage feels weird but you will get used to it. There is this feeling of joy to waking up beside the love of your life and carrying their last name. But do not forget that you still have work to do.

To make everything official, you have to change your name in every document/paper that you have. It may take time to file everything but it will be all worth it at the end of the day. You don’t have to do it alone. You can let your husband help you with what needs to be done.

The process of legally changing your name varies state by state. This is for the State of Michigan.

Making a List

It is better to make a list of all papers/documents/cards that need to be changed. This makes everything easier and you can see what to prioritize. Some couples include this changing last name after marriage in their wedding planning so that everything is already organized after the wedding.

1. Marriage License/Certificate

This is probably the first official document that proves your marriage with your husband. It proves that you willingly got married and accepted the change of your status and surname.

Request a certified copy of your Marriage License from the county clerk’s office in the jurisdiction where you were married. The court charges a fee for this service. Depending on how many documents you want to change, you may have to order additional copies. Their websites will have instructions on how to order a certified copy. It will cost you around $15-$20. A certified copy will have a county stamp on it – a regular copy will not work.
You and your significant other will need to be present to apply for the certificate.

2. Social Security Card & Driver’s License

Before filing other cards and documents, your social security card should be changed. Your maiden name will change but your number will still stay the same.

Visit the local Michigan Secretary of State office to process the correction.
Present your valid Driver’s License or State ID Card and proof of name change (Certified Marriage License).
A fee will be charged to correct your name and a new photograph will be taken. If your driver’s license or state ID card is due to expire within a few months, you may choose to renew it early.
When you have your name changed on your license or state ID card, make sure to notify the Social Security Administration.
Fill out and print the following form, and follow the instructions carefully: http://www.socialsecurity.gov/forms/ss-5.pdf
Bring the form along with your Birth Certificate and Certified Marriage License to the Social Security Office. You can find a local office here: https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp. (You should go to the SSA before your driver’s license or ID expires. SSA has to have a VALID photo ID document to make any changes. If the license or ID is already expired, use another photo ID that is valid or renew the license or ID first in the current name, wait to receive it and then proceed.)
Once you turn in your name change forms, get a receipt from the SSA office. (There is no charge for a Social Security card. This service is free.)
Take the receipt with the other documents to your local Michigan Secretary of State office. (The SOS recommends waiting at least 24 hours after visiting the SSA office to make sure the name change is properly updated in their verification system.)

Failing to inform the Social Security Administration of your name change will delay the processing of your license or state ID card application at renewal. The department verifies all names and Social Security numbers before issuing a license or ID card.

Save yourself time, and get in line with MI-TIME Line: https://www.michigan.gov/sos/0,4670,7-127-1640_3408_9135-315692–,00.html

3. Passport

It is important to get a new one before traveling anywhere. This prevents you from any problems during your travel together.

From U.S. Passports & International Travel: Submit Form DS-5504 by mail with your current passport, your original or certified name change document (no photocopies or notarized copies), and a color passport photo. The passport office will return your certified marriage license and old passport. https://pptform.state.gov/?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1

4. Bank Accounts & Insurance

This one is important if you’re planning to have a joint account. Your credit cards and debit cards should be changed too.

Go to your bank or credit union to change your name on your accounts as well as to order new credit or debit cards with your new name. If you’re keeping separate accounts, consider naming your spouse as a beneficiary.
Once your new cards arrive, activate them and call any creditors that are connected with your old cards – utility bills, the gym, subscriptions, etc.
Call your insurance company to notify them of your name change. They will have to send you new cards. Also, call your various medical offices to inform them so they can update you on their system.

5. Professional License

It is important to change your name on your professional license. Whether you are a nurse, doctor, attorney, engineer or any profession, you must go to the nearest office and file for a change of name.

you can go to the link: https://www.michigan.gov/elicense/

6. Employer

Whether you work for a small or big company, you should update your employer for them to update your name on their file especially during payrolls and other work-related appointments.

Make copies of your Certified Marriage License. You’ll likely need it to notify your employer of your name change. If you want to keep your maiden name professionally, but have tax information updated through your employer, be sure to make that clear.

7. Filing The Paperwork With The County Clerk

The officiant that performed the ceremony is responsible for mailing the marriage license to the county clerk. This is the final step in making your marriage official!

8. Social Media Accounts

This is the least of your concern since it is just social media. You can have any name you want on the internet. But if you’re the type that is always active, updating it and editing your name can just take you minutes. Some women will change their last name on social media but keep their maiden name on the end in parentheses so friends recognize that it is still them.

Conclusion

In conclusion, these are just basic documents that you need to change after your wedding. There are still a lot of documents to attend to depending on what kind of documents a couple has. It is better to talk this with your partner for everything to be official and legal when it comes to changing last name after marriage.

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Jason Wheeler

Author at Smartest Brides

Jason Wheeler is the co-founder and author of smartestbrides.com. A website that helps brides plan the wedding of their dreams in the simplest way possible.

His Expertise Includes:

- 8 years working in the wedding industry
- Owner of USA DJ a wedding service provider URL: https://usadj.org
- Former groom with first-hand experience planning his own wedding

For the better part of the last decade, Jason has personally helped countless couples create successful wedding.

Since 2018 he has devoted much of his time to creating Smartest Brides with his wife Rachel. His mission is to help remove the stress and anxiety that normally comes with wedding planning by making the process simple.