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Legal
Changes
Don't get lost in the
post-wedding shuffle. Take these steps to make sure you keep your records
up to date.
Driver's license
or DMV ID card
Bring your current license plus your marriage license or certificate to
the DMV. Be sure to change your name and address. It makes your life easier
to change this first, and quickly!
Bank accounts
Bring your new driver's license or receipt with you. Also bring your marraige
license or certificate. Be sure the bank changes your name on all of their
records.
Social Security Administration
Bring your marriage license or certificate. Many processes are tied into
this system, including Internal Revenue Service records and most federal
systems. The record must be formally changed or you could get a letter
from the IRS saying you did not file a tax return, just because they were
not told that you are no longer Jennifer Jones, but now Jennifer Jones-Smythe.
Warning: This is not a way to become invisible to the IRS. They will find
you.
Medical records
This one applies to both husband and wife. Notify doctors, hospitals,
insurance carriers, et. al., of the change in your marital status. Also,
update your next-of-kin contacts for emergencies and consider making organ
donor, life insurance and critical care decisions together.
Mail delivery (USPS)
Just mention to your letter carrier that you have married, so the person
will know that your magazine subscriptions coming in your maiden name
should still be delivered to you at the same address. If you move, be
sure to put your old name and new name in the right place on the forwarding
order.
Credit Cards, utility
bills, finance companies...
These folks need to know, too, so you won't lose credit under your unmarried
name and you will be able to obtain credit under your new name. Most companies
have toll-free service numbers for reporting such changes.
Finally
A few weeks after you get married (or right away in some cases), go to
the Recorder's office and get a certified copy of your marriage certificate.
It's handy to have if you move (and it looks nice framed and hung on the
wall).
You might want to consider
printing address and name-change cards that you can mail to friends, relatives,
and businesses.
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