Tying the knot? Thinking of taking your spouse’s name (or hyphenating yours)? Here’s how to make it legal.

This is for you: If you want to legally change your name after getting hitched.

Cost: Varies, and may be limited to whatever fee your DMV charges for a new driver’s license. (New York charges $12.50 for a new photo license. California charges $26.)

Hands-on time: Several hours that may include waiting in line at various offices and calling and mailing different agencies to get the change made.

Total time: A few weeks to receive documents like your new Social Security Card and driver’s license and for organizations to complete the change in their records.

What you’ll need:
Your marriage license, which may take a few weeks to reach you after your ceremony (you may want to make several copies)

When to do it:
After the ceremony. You won’t be able to do this until you’re legally wed.

What to do:
1. Decide (obviously) what you want your name to be. (Are you taking your spouse’s last name as your own? Changing your middle name to your maiden name? Hyphenating? Your call.)

2. Make about a dozen copies of your marriage license, in case any agencies or organizations need it to verify the name change.

3. Change your name with the Social Security Administration by filing Form SS-5—either in person or via mail. The SSA will also let the IRS know that you changed your name.

4. Change your name with your department of motor vehicles. You may be able to find instructions online (like these from New York’s DMV). You may also want to change the name on your vehicle registration and title, while you’re at it.

5. Now it’s just a matter of changing your name with everyone else. A checklist:

• Your employer
• Health insurer (unless you’re being added to your spouse’s health insurance, in which case you’ll just be added under your new name)
• Checking and savings accounts
• Investment accounts
• Credit cards
• Insurance companies (car, renters, home, life, etc.)
• Doctor and dentist offices
• Passport office
• Local voter registration board
• Magazine and newspapers subscriptions
• Utilities
• Frequent flier accounts
• Your attorney, if there are changes that need to be made to any legal documents, such as a will or power of attorney

6. Watch your mail, because you’ll probably forget about an account or two until they send you something with your old name on it. This process could take a while. Good luck.

To learn more:
Five Tips if You Changed Your Name Due to Marriage or Divorce (IRS)
Change Your Name in Your U.S. Passport (U.S. State Department)

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Did you do it? Tell us what worked or share other tips in the comments below.

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