What a Bride Needs to Know About Changing Her Name After the Wedding

On the internet and in the back of Bridal magazines one can find ads for Bridal name change kits. This would seem like something you would get the paperwork started for before you wed, but actually, there are several problems if you do. Here is the proper order of where to start changing your name and when.

If you are going to change your name after you marry, it is better to do so after your honeymoon so that your name matches your passport and other documents when you travel. Unless your honeymoon is not right after the wedding, you will not have time to change all of them, since most of them require a marriage license to do the paperwork, and that won't arrive until a few weeks after the ceremony. If there is a delayed honeymoon and you want to change your name before you travel, here is what you have to change. This is the same checklist you will use if you wait until after your honeymoon to change your name.

Your driver's license. Go to your local motor vehicle departments' website and download the form for changing your name, find out the cost (less than $10 usually) and bring that form and money to the local office with your current drivers' license, as well as any other identification your local branch requires, such as your marriage certificate.

Your passport. This takes a while to change. You have to mail in your old passport, your original marriage certificate and a completed request form to the U.S. State Department's Passport Center. This is free but it can take six to eight weeks unless you ship the items with two day service and a $60 fee for return shipping expenses.

Your credit cards. Since most airlines use electronic check in, your credit card will have to match your other information on your ticket to be able to fly. You also will need the card to match at the hotel, depending on whose credit card is being used to pay for the hotel. Contact your credit card by the phone number on your statements to get details about changing your name.

Frequent Flyer accounts. To get credit for your flight (or to use the credit you already have for your honeymoon flight) your name has to match. To change your name on frequent flyer accounts, you likely will have to send a copy of your marriage certificate. The same thing applies if you are redeeming hotel points such as Starwood or Marriott for your hotel stay, everything will need to match your maiden name while traveling.

Social Security Card. While it does not impact travel, this one can impact your paycheck! First, tell your employer about your name change (or whomever writes your paychecks) notify the Social Security Administration so that your earnings will be properly accredited. You will have to go to an office with your photo ID (so have your updated drivers' license done first) and your marriage license. There is no charge to change your names but you will likely need to take off a half day to stand in line at their office.