Danielle Tate

Looking for name change advice or some tips for newlywed life? The MissNowMrs experts have created state-specific name change articles and checklists for you. We’ve chronicled our recommendations for how to travel while changing your name AND how to handle voting during the transition.

We’ve also compiled our best guidance for how to handle difficult sister in laws, holidays as newlyweds, the ever-annoying baby questions, and much more. Why? Because, while we are name change experts, we’re also newlywed wives, moms, and sisters.

We hope our name change advice articles help smooth your transition to your new name, and a whole new phase of life. Congratulations and best wishes from the entire MissNowMrs team!

Mar 23 2020

Savanna’s Real Name Change Story

We can’t wait to share Savanna’s real name change story with you! Read on to learn how two people fell in love over street tacos and football, and eventually eloped. Savanna also shares her name change experience and advice for fellow newlyweds.

Savanna’s Love Story

Terry and I met during our senior year at Oklahoma State where we quickly bonded over our love for college football and street tacos. We started hanging out after work, between classes, and found any excuse to be around each other. I didn’t know it yet. But, I was already so in love with this man from Texas.

That fall we met up to watch the OSU vs Baylor homecoming game and afterwards we took a drive in his truck. We drove all over Stillwater talking, laughing, and finally I asked him if we were going to do this thing or what? He took my hand and from that moment forward life as I knew it changed. By winter we’d moved in together and by Spring we graduated and moved back to Texas. Last October, we eloped to Telluride Colorado where we exchanged vows on a mountain side and afterward found a place to watch the OSU vs Baylor homecoming game like we’d done six years ago.

Savanna's Real Name Change Story Elopement Boots

Savanna’s Name Change Narrative

We talked about name change a few months after we started dating and it was just something we always agreed upon. I was excited at the thought of changing my name once we made it official. The best part is getting to see his last name next to my name now. It still gives me full body chills! It wasn’t really hard to change my name, but honestly sitting at the DMV for 6 hours had to be the worst part. That’s just to be expected though!

I honestly cannot say enough good things about MissNowMrs! It was so easy and saved me so much time and stress. I didn’t have to worry if I was missing a document or important information that would just make the process more stressful. It was a relief knowing I had everything I’d need in the folder I received.

Savanna's Real Name Change Story Elopement

Savanna’s Newlywed Advice

Actively pursue the “honeymoon” phase everyday! It doesn’t have to end after the wedding or after the honeymoon. Be persistent in cultivating those feelings you felt on your wedding day for your partner. It’s not always easy because like any good husband mine drives me bonkers some days. But, its those small choices everyday that will make all the difference!

Did you enjoy Savanna’s Real Name Change Story? We’d love to share your story too! Drop us a note or message us on Instagram to be put in touch with our features department. And, should you be in the process of changing your name, check our our 20 step name change checklist.

Photo credit: Wild Opal Photo

Mar 13 2020

Coronavirus and Married Name Change

Curious how to handle the coronavirus and married name change? If you’re a newlywed looking to change your name, the MissNowMrs experts have advice for you.

Avoid Crowded Government Offices

No one likes to spend time at the Social Security Administration office, the State Department, or Post Office. Now with coronavirus, it’s especially critical to avoid unnecessary time spent in these places.

So how do you change your name and avoid cornavirus exposure? Use the MissNowMrs App or online name change service. We complete the appropriate paperwork for you, give you insider tips on how to file by mail, and save you 13 hours of hassle!

There’s nothing more convenient (or safe) than changing your name from the comfort of your couch! Over 500,000 newlyweds have trusted MissNowMrs to help them transition to their new names. And, we can’t wait to help you.

Please note that the only office you must file in-person at is your local DMV. Depending on the state you live in, you might want to wait a few weeks before changing your name on your driver’s license.

Make the Most of NOT Traveling

The State Department takes approximately 5 weeks to issue new passports. This can be a problem for newlyweds who travel frequently. So, if your company has cancelled your flights for the foreseeable future now is the best time to file for your new passport in your new name. You won’t have to pay for expedited service. It’s a silver lining of the travel ban.

Now you have the scoop on coronavirus and married name change. If you’re stuck at home… consider it a gift of more newlywed time together!

Feb 19 2020

Sheryl Sandberg’s Name Change

After reading about her engagement to Tom Bernthal, our first thought was the potential of Sheryl Sandberg’s name change. Will she be the first high profile name change of 2020? Our name change experts break down the potential below!

Sheryl Sandberg’s Name Change History

Sheryl Sandberg did not choose to change her name after her marriage to Josh Goldberg. She also didn’t change her name after her first marriage to Brian Kraff. So, based on those we’re starting to believe Sheryl might not change her name

Sheryl’s Age and Education

Sheryl Sandberg is currently 50 years old. Studies have shown that the older a woman is at the time of her marriage, the less likely she is to change her name. As far as education goes, Sheryl graduation from Harvard business school. This is another tick in the not changing her name box. Sociologists agree that the more advanced education a woman has, the more likely she is to hang onto her maiden name.

Sheryl’s Career

The more a woman’s name is tied to her career, the less likely she is to change her name. Sheryl is a world-famous technology executive at Facebook. She’s also best-selling author and billionaire. So, when you weigh those life factors her name change seems highly unlikely.

The Love Factor

There’s a factor that no researcher can accurately measure: love. Many celebrity newlyweds do opt to change their names after marriage. Women like Heidi Klum, Amal Clooney, Hailey Beiber, and Priyanka Chopra Jonas have changed their names against all odds. Some cite feeling “all in”on their marriage. While others feel like name change is a romantic tradition they wanted to continue. Sheryl could surprise the world and opt to hyphenate her last name!

In our expert opinion, Sheryl Sandberg is highly unlikely to change her name after marriage. But, if she does, we’d love for her to use our name change app or online service!

Help Me Change My Name

Jan 23 2020

Married Name Change in 2020

Whether you needed to regroup after the wedding, made a New Year’s resolution, or are anticipating filing taxes jointly as a married couple; 2020 kicks off a flurry of newlyweds taking on married name change. If you’re part of that population don’t worry! The MissNowMrs experts are here to help guide you through the process.

Choose the Right Married Name For You

It’s 2020, and the good news is that there are many married name change options available to you. You have the option to keep your maiden name, hyphenate your last name with your spouse’s, take two last names without a hyphen, take your maiden name as your middle name, add your maiden name as a second middle name, or simply swap your maiden name for your spouse’s last name. So, simply pick the married name that’s best for you and your situation.

*Heads up! Not all states allow all variations of married name change, so please check your state laws.

Maiden to middle name change and taking two last names (sans hyphen) are the two most popular married name change options as we head into 2020.
Danielle Tate, MissNowMrs founder
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Get Your Ducks (aka Documents) in a Row

The best way to simplify your name change process is to get organized BEFORE you begin. Call or stop by the county clerk’s office that issued your marriage license and request 2-3 certified marriage certificates. You will need these certificates to file for your new name at numerous federal, state, and local government offices.

Research the married name change filing order in your state of residence. Many states require you to change your name with Social Security and either wait 24 hours, or wait to bring your new Social Security card showing your married name, before updating your driver’s license. Still other state offices require you to file for your name change with a Social Security card in your maiden name.

Prior planning will save you a ton of stress as you move through your name change process. You should also learn the processing times for the offices in your state and government. Why does this matter? It has to do with travel. If you change your name on your driver’s license and/or passport, but have flights booked in your maiden name you will most likely have to re-purchase new tickets (if any are available.)

Change Your Name the Easy Way

Feeling stressed about figuring out the requirements and timelines related to changing your name after marriage? Technology to the rescue! Newlyweds in 2020 don’t have to waste countless hours bogged down with their name changes. The MissNowMrs App or online name change service allow you to transition to your new name in minutes!

Oct 23 2019

The 6 Steps of North Carolina Name Change

Thinking about changing your name in North Carolina? Every state has different married name change laws and filing orders, but don’t stress! The MissNowMrs name change experts have broken the process into 6 steps to smooth your transition to your new married name.

Step 1: Change Your Name with Social Security

North Carolina requires newlyweds to file the SS-5 form with Social Security as the first step of their married name change process. So, simply complete the form and file by mail (you will need to send your driver’s license or U.S. passport) or in-person. In approximately 2 weeks, your new social security card with your new married name will be issued and mailed to you.

Step 2: Change Your Name with the IRS

The next step in the North Carolina name change process is filing the IRS 8822 form with the IRS. The good news is it’s a one page form that is free to file. Not every opts to complete the IRS 8822. But, we encourage our clients to file it to make sure the office knows their new name and maiden name when tax season arrives!

Step 3: Change Your Name with the DMV

To update your North Carolina driver’s license with your married name, you will need to first file your SS-5 form and wait at to receive your updated Social Security Card. Then, bring it, along with your completed DMV form, certified marriage certificate, car insurance card, and $10.00 in cash to the DMV. The office will issue your new driver’s license the same day!
If you are applying for a Real ID, you will also need to bring a certified copy of your birth certificate or your unexpired U.S. passport (it can still be in your maiden name.) *Heads up! There may be an additional fee for your Real ID.

We highly encourage you to complete the section of the North Carolina driver’s license form where you can elect to update your name on your voter registration. This will enable you to vote locally and nationally with your new married name.

Step 4: Change Your Name with the State Department

Changing your name with the State Department, involves filling in the DS-11 passport form or the DS-5504 passport form. You can then file it with your current passport (or passport card,) your certified marriage certificate, two passport photos, and the listed processing fee. Word to the wise: U.S passports take approximately 5-6 weeks to be issued. So, it’s smart to give yourself 2 months to file before any international travel.

Step 5: Change Your Name with Your Creditors

After you’ve filed you name change forms with the state and federal offices, it is time to notify all of your creditors of your new name. The normal list of creditors includes your banks, credit cards, insurances, mortgage providers, student loan companies, medical providers, utilities, memberships, and magazines. Many of these companies can be contacted by phone, but some (especially banks) require you to come into a local office with your certified marriage certificate to change the name on your account.

Step 6: Simplify You Name Change with MissNowMrs

Name change typically takes 13 hours. That’s 13 hours of your newlywed life spent searching for forms, reading fine print, manually completing forms, and then figuring out what order to file them in (which is state-specific.) You will also need to research which offices you need to file each form at. It’s a super unfun process.

Fortunately, the MissNowMrs App and online name change service can streamline your name change. We automate all the tedious repetitive parts of the name change process saving our clients over 13 hours of stress.
So, if you’re thinking about changing your name after marriage in North Carolina, the MissNowMrs app, service, and name change experts are at your service!