The ULTIMATE GUIDE To Change Your Last Name | Wedding Tips & Advice
- Savanna Sherstad
- Jan 6
- 4 min read
Don't be a total noob like me and get everything wrong. I'm here to help!
Before you begin the process, please know...
-THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN OVER NIGHT, IF YOU GET IT DONE IN A YEAR YOU DID A GOOD JOB & YOU DESERVE TO GET DONUTS-
Another few things to keep in mind before you start the process
FLYING & TRAVEL - If you are traveling soon, consider what name is on the booked flight, and that your ID needs to match it. I've heard a lot of horror stories of people going on their honeymoon while in the process of changing their name and it's a hot mess. Sometimes they won't let you fly. Don't let this be you. plan ahead. Change your name legally after scheduled flights, or get it done before you fly. Supposedly, you can fly while in the process of changing your name if you bring a certified copy of your marriage license, I've also heard that doesn't work. I would not risk it.
TIME - When I said this takes time I meant it. It's not just because there's a lot for you to do; there are going to be times where the government is processing your stuff and mailing it to you, appointments have to be scheduled in advance, there's just a lot. Be patient. Maybe focus on one step each month and aim to get it done in 4 months!
$$$ - There are going to be some costs to this. Most things are not expensive. You'll need certified copies, they are typically about $10, not too bad. There's going to be filing fees, registration fees, getting a new passport and license can be $100s of dollars. You'll likely need to take time off work a few times in order to get to Social Security, Department of Health, DOL, and the bank because they are usually closed after normal work ours, and you can't do it all in one day.
YOUR STATE - This advice is specific to Washington State, your state may vary in the process, however, the general order of operations should be the same. It's those fine details on how that might change.
Let's get started. And let there be color! (This is a bland process, the least we can do is put color in the instructions!)
STEP 1 Get married. Fill out your marriage license. Submit your marriage license. Get certified copies.
*I recommend taking in the license in person, so you can get copies right there. If you mail it in, it will take a while to be sent and processed.
*I would get 2 copies, it's going to make this a lot easier. Plus always good to have a backup.
*When I say copies, I mean stamped, sealed, official government copies. That seal they put on there is your key to the name change. Without the seal, you can't do anything.
- You cannot begin the next task until you have a certified copy of your marriage license -
STEP 2 Change your name with Social Security.
*You can't change your name on any legal document or banks or anything without your social security (your truest form of US ID being changed first).
*You need to fill out Form SS-5
*You can apply online, but you will still have to go in in-person to complete the task. Applying online is great because they walk you through all the documents that you need and can help guide you through this process. You may need to make an appointment to do the in-person stuff. I believe you have to go in within 45 days of your application submission, so please be mindful of your schedule when applying.
*It can take days or weeks to receive your Social Security card.
- You cannot begin the next task until you have a received your new social security card -
STEP 3 Changing your name on your driver's license
Congrats, you are now legally recognized by the USA as your new married name! Now it's time to change it on all your other legal documents.
*You will need to collect your legal documents and make an appointment with the DOL
*Make sure you have your new social security card and your certified copy of your marriage license, and any other documents they have listed on their site.
*They will be taking your photo, so be ready
If you have not yet gotten Real ID, (an enhanced driver's license) I recommend doing it now! Real ID is now required for all domestic flights in the US, and may be required to vote soon if your current name does not match your birth certificate. Which will apply to you, since you do not change your birth certificate name ever.
*This step can take days or weeks to complete, and that's not including the wait time for an appointment. To get an appointment might take days, weeks or months.
- You cannot begin the next task until you have received your new Driver's License -
STEP 4 Change your name everywhere else!
-Passport
-Voter ID (As of 2025, if your voter ID does not match your birth cirtificate your vote will not be counted unless you have real ID!)
-Bank (this will mess you up for a while because you're going to get all new credit/debit cards and all your subscriptions will fail and you won't be able to watch Netflix until you enter in your new card info and it will likely take a year before its all actually updated!)
-Place of work
-Car titles/registration
-Your degrees, food handlers permits, and/or other certificates that you need to be up to date
-Phone bills, rent, mortgage, insurance, car insurance, and any other utilities in your old name
-US Postal Service
-Deeds, wills, titles
-Your doctor, and medical practices
-Social media, email addresses, email signature, etc.
-Student loans
-library cards
-investment and 401k accounts
-If you took your partner's last name, they will also need to update their emergency contact info at work, the doctors, etc.
YOU'RE DONE! GO GET YOURSELF A DONUT
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