Changing your last name

I know this is probably a popular one at LIW.com, but I'm thinking about changing my name in the next week or so. Where do you start and what can you do on-line rather than going down to DMV or Social Sec? Where is Social Security for Town of Hempstead residents? How do you let the IRS know? When do you tell your employer? When to you tell your bank/credit cards? I'm afraid that the bank and my employer won't be in synch and I will end up not getting my direct deposit pay check next pay period. How do you make this work seemlessly? Who do you contact first? Who requires what proof? Do you need to show the marriage licence? Do they require proof of the date of marriage? Can you continue to file single/zero? When you do your taxes do you get bigger refunds filing single or filing jointly?

Sorry for all the questions... I'm clearly not sure where to start, but it's important that this go down without a hitch (like not getting my paycheck b/c my payroll and my bank had 2 different names). One more though - when you eventually apply for a new job do you use your maiden name? If you use your married name what do you do if an employer wants to verify previous employment history? I wouldn't want my previous companies to have no record of me b/c my name is different.

Re: Changing your last name

Okay first things first, my personal opinion is start with s.s. because it helps with the process of everything but it doesn't have to be done this day. I went to the DMV first with my marriage license and I called a majority of credit cards to be re-issued with my new name, which mostly can just be done over the phone some require you mailing a copy of marriage license. All my banking hasn't been changed because I still have yet to change my name on S.S.. Until then I can't tamper with the banking stuff. A friend of mine said it literally takes 5 minutes and your in/out with SS. I'm going to do it soon. You can print the form on-line fill it out and go in person to your nearest ss office which has to be in the county you live in. GOOD LUCK

Re: Changing your last name

There is a SS security office in Freeport, north of Sunrise. I think it's on Main St? My daughter got married in Nov. I printed the form online. She filled it out. I brought it to SS for her because she couldn't take time off from work. I brought her marriage license, drivers license and the form. I think that was it. You have to take a number and wait, but it wasn't long, maybe 20 min. Once I got to the window, the process took 5 min. She received her new card 2 wks. later. Hope this helps!

Re: Changing your last name

Go to the SS office first, it's just easier. Bring your marriage certificate (or other documentation of the change, if it's not due to marriage) with you. The Social Security website has a locator so you can find a convenient office: http://www.ssa.gov/locator

I think the IRS will know once you change your name with SS. I don't recall having to notify the IRS.

After SS, go to the DMV and get your new license. Make sure you bring your marriage license.

I waited to change my name at work, at banks, on credit cards, etc. until after I got my new SS card and license, but I don't think you have to wait that long. Bring your marriage license to work and to the bank. Your credit cards may or may not require a copy of the license. If they do, you can probably fax it to them, or xerox a copy and stick it in the mail. You won't need to provide the original.

You should be ok regarding your paycheck. As long as your SS# matches your account, it shouldn't matter. I had no problem with that when I changed my name.

Not sure about filing zero or not, I don't remember what I did. When you get married, you're entitled to a larger standard deduction, but if you itemize stuff like mortgage interest, etc., it may not be worth it to use the standard deduction.

When applying for jobs after getting married, many applications had a line for aliases or prior names. I put my maiden name there. It worked out fine. If no such line exists, or you don't have an application, just notify your potential employer of your previous name when they ask to check references.

Good luck!

Re: Changing your last name

Changing your name with SS is letting the IRS know.

Re: Changing your last name

I actually changed my name 2 weeks ago with the DMV and my Job. I haven't changed it at SS yet. But I changed my status at work to married 0 and I am getting more money in my paycheck now then when I was single 1.

Re: Changing your last name

This is what I did, and it was pretty painless. I went to the DMV first (since there was no line) and all you need is a filled out form (I forget which one, they will tell you on the DMV site) and your marriage certificate. Then I did SS and the bank. I have no credit cards, so I am not sure how to do them. I filled out my passport one (if you do your name change within one year it is free).

I also had my professional license to do and that is pretty much done now.

Just take a deep breath and do one by one. It is was pretty painless!

Oh, also if you have loans, you need to do those too. That is the only one I didn't do (maybe because they will forget me ). Those usually require you send them a letter and a copy of your marriage certificate.