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!

Jan 27 2022

Savvy Newlywed Investing

Now that you’re married, it is time to consider savvy newlywed investing. You may have joint savings, but have you really taken time to make financial goals? If you have goals, have you mapped out steps to achieve them?

We all want to be financially secure, but how do we get there? Maybe you’re in debt from your wedding, or conversely you could be sitting on a nest egg of wedding gift cash. Regardless of your situation, planning and newlywed investing is the way to build a secure future.

Many couples opt to put their money in mutual funds, or have their wealth managed by a professional. These are excellent traditional options that will result in modest returns year over year. I would like to recommend a less traditional way to build wealth: short-term rental investing. This type of investing can yield rapid, high returns and give you a getaway place to enjoy together!

Are you unfamiliar, but excited about the idea of investing in a short-term rental? Consider hiring an Airbnb coach to guide you through the process of identifying a good market, setting your budget, finding the right property and then setting up processes and software to ensure maximum profits with minimal time investment. Savvy newlywed investing usually involves a coach of some sort. Coaches help you overcome any learning gaps and avoid making poor decisions that could lead to losing money.

How many times have you booked a vacation stay at an Airbnb? Did you ever consider that your stay is paying for that property’s mortgage as well as the property owner’s primary mortgage? If you are looking for a way to be a savvy newlywed investor, now is the time to consider alternative ways to build wealth together.

Jun 18 2021

Rachael’s Real Name Change Story

Ready for Rachael’s real name change story? Don’t miss how a first date between Cancers turned into a military wedding on Veteran’s day! Rachel also shares her name change journey and best newlywed advice!

Rachael’s Love Story

Jean Paul and I met after my sister in law, Jamie Claire, who went to college with him introduced us. I don’t think either of us really expected our first date to be good, but we both went along and that’s where the magic started. We went to eat at an Asian Restaurant called Soji and when we met for the first time it was an instant connection and we have been pretty much in love ever since.

We are both Cancers (Jean Paul July 12 and Rachael July 22) so I think that helps a lot with our personalities meshing so well together. Jean Paul is military so he is deployed right now but luckily we got to get married before he left. Our wedding was better than I could have ever expected. We got married on November 11, 2020; we didn’t realize it was Veteran’s Day until we had already decided on the date!

Our beautiful wedding on Veteran’s Day could not have gone better if we tried. Everyone in our families chipped in to make it happen, from the champagne glasses (thank you Mamel!), to the flowers (thanks Angela.) Also, my mom took our photos and Jean Paul’s sister and his mom decorated Adele’s house. It was all so beautiful and special to us.

Rachael’s Name Change Narrative

We are both very traditional people so it wasn’t really a discussion. We both decided that I would take his last name and put my last name as my middle name. I was so happy to get married and become a Thibodaux.

I enjoy being called Mrs. Thibodaux. I have really enjoyed being able to go to one place to change my name across all of my documents and things. On the downside, I now have to update all of my payment settings online because when I changed my name I had to have all new cards so that wasn’t fun.

The MissNowMrs app has made everything so convenient and easy to remember and it is all in one place. And, if I have any questions I know customer support is always there for me!

Rachael’s Newlywed Advice

Plan together, eat together, and enjoy life together. I can honestly say my husband is my best friend and I am very lucky to have him. He is always my biggest cheerleader and strongest shoulder to lean on so remember who you want your spouse to be for you.

Did you enjoy Rachael’s Real Name Change Story? We’d love to write about your story as well! Email us or message us on Instagram to be put in touch with our features department. And, should you be thinking about changing your name, check our our 20 step name change checklist.

May 26 2021

How to Change Your Name in New York City | 2021

Are you wondering how to change your name in New York City? The name change experts at MissNowMrs created this guide to help you save time and stress. Why? Because navigating your name change with state and government agencies in New York City can take over 13 hours!

The New York City Name Change Process

1. Understand New York City Name Change Laws

New York allows most version of married name change, but not taking your maiden as a middle name. Fortunately, there’s a loophole! It is possible to take your maiden name as a middle name IF you file your name change forms in a specific order.

File your Social Security form and your U.S. Passport forms first. Next, wait to receive both of those new documents back in your new name. Then, you can go to the New York DMV and file for your new driver’s license. Your updated Social Security card and passport will provide the necessary 6 points of identification needed by the agency for your name change.

2. The Social Security Administration

To begin your name change, find and fill out the SS-5 form. Then decide if you wish to file in-person or by mail. You will need to provide a certified marriage certificate and your driver’s license or U.S. passport for the form to be processed. Please note that photocopies are not accepted, even if you file by mail.

Pre-COVID, it typically took 2 weeks for your new SS card to be mailed to you. Now, it’s anywhere from 3-6 weeks. Your new card will have your new name, but your SSN will remain the same. If you elected to file by mail, your marriage certificate and form of ID will be returned with your new card.

3. The IRS

Completing the IRS 8822 form is not mandatory. However, it’s only 11 questions, you can file it by mail, and ensures that the IRS does not hold your tax returns if there is confusion regarding your married and married names. We consider it a no brainer!

4. The State Department

The State Department has three different name change forms, depending on your current passport status. They are the DS-11, the DS-82, and the DS-5504. After filling in the correct form, file it with your current passport, a certified copy of your marriage certificate, two passport photos, and the listed processing fee.

Usually U.S. passports take 5-6 weeks to be processed and issued. With COVID delays, that timeline can be even longer. So, it is important to take any upcoming international travel into account, before changing your name on your passport. TSA will not authorize travel under a name that is different from your current reservation.

5. The New York City DMV

Once you have your new SS card and passport in your married name, it’s time to tackle changing your name on your driver’s license. Complete the New York Department of Motor Vehicles Application for Driver’s license and bring it to the DMV along with your current driver’s license, certified marriage certificate in English, SS card, passport, and proof of residence if you have recently moved. The fee for your new license is $12.50, and it will be issued the same day you apply.

6. The New York City Voter Registration Bureau

Next up is updating your name with the New York Voter Registration Bureau. Simply complete the New York State Voter Registration Application and mail it to your County Board of Elections with a photocopy of your new driver’s license. This ensures that you will be able to vote under your married name in the next election.

7. ALL of Your Creditors and Accounts

As you wrap up filing all government forms, it’s time to update all of your creditors. We advise starting with your employer and your banking institutions. Typically, they will ask you to file a form in-person and show a certified marriage certificate (and occasionally your new SS card.)

Next, update your name with your loan providers, credit card companies, mortgage providers, utilities, and professional licensing boards. Most of them will change your name by phone, or via an online form. Finally, change your name on of your accounts, memberships, periodicals, frequent flyer programs, and on social media. Every company’s policy will be different, but many will allow you to login and make the update on your own.

8. New York City Name Change Made Easy

Now that you’ve learned how to change your name in New York City are you anxious? Skip 13 hours of stress and hassle with the MissNowMrs name change app or online service. We’d be delighted to streamline your name change into a matter of minutes!

New York City Married Name Change Service

May 17 2021

Ariana Grande’s Married Name Change

Curious about Ariana Grande’s married name change? The lovely singer married Dalton Gomez in an intimate ceremony last weekend! We’re SO excited for her! Does this mean she’ll become Mrs. Ariana Gomez or Mrs. Ariana Grande-Gomez? Our experts weigh in below.

From all of our name change studies and statics, we know that one major factor in a woman’s name change is her age at the time of marriage. Ariana is 27 years old, so her youth make it more likely that she will be adding a Mrs. to her name soon!

Another key factor is a woman’s employment. Newlyweds who have careers tied to their names, such as doctors, lawyers, and famous singers tend to keep their maiden names in some way. Perhaps Ariana will add Gomez as a second last name or take it as a middle name.

While known factors can definitely shape a woman’s name change choice, it is a personal decision. No two people or relationship are alike. Many MissNowMrs clients have told us that changing their last name made them feel “more connected” to their spouse or symbolized that they were “all in” on their marriage.

There are many celebrities who have opted to change their names after marriage like Katie Perry and Heidi Klum. We will all have to wait and see what happens with Ariana Grande’s married name change. Our expert prediction is on some form of name change for this newlywed!

If she does elect to become a Mrs., we’d love for her to use the MissNowMrs app to save 13 hours of hassle!

Photo credit: Steve Granitz, Getty Images

Apr 30 2021

Heather Rae Young’s Married Name Change

Curious about Heather Rae Young’s married name change? At MissNowMrs, we love posting about celebrity name change! Not every newlywed opts for a new name, but 88% do! It’s fun to learn what celebrities are choosing, so here’s the scoop!

Celebrity realtor, Heather Rae Young is engaged to fellow celebrity realtor, Tarek El Moussa. Typically, women who have a career tied to name recognition (like realtors, doctors, lawyers, etc.) tend to keep their maiden names after marriage. Why? Because word of mouth and referrals are important to their businesses.

Young is 34 years old. Why is that important? Age is a significant factor when it comes to name change. The older a bride is at the time of her marriage, the more likely she is to keep her maiden name in some way. Again, this is due to having more time to establish a career and identity under her original name.

Education is another key factor related to married name change decisions. The higher the level of a woman’s education, the more likely she is to keep her maiden name. Young has a high school diploma, so this factor might sway her to take her spouse’s last name.

Heather Rae’s Name Change Scoop

So what’s the scoop? Young is all in on changing her name after marriage! She has confirmed that she is “going the traditional route” and “dropping her last name.” As a newlywed Young could become Mrs. Heather Rae El Moussa or replace her middle name and become Mrs. Heather El Moussa. Either way, it’s adorable how excited she is!

Why do women still change their names? Some are swayed by tradition, some want to honor their spouse’s heritage, and some believe that changing their name shows a deeper level of commitment to their partner and marriage. We know that Young is very committed… she reportedly has a tatoo of Tarek’s name on her rear!

MissNowMrs would LOVE to assist Young with her name change! There’s no need for this busy beauty to waste 13 hours dealing with the paperwork and traditional hassle. Our name change app or online service could help her go from Miss to Mrs. in a matter of minutes!

What do you think about Heather Rae Young’s married name change? Do you think it will affect her celebrity status and brand? If you’re changing your name, what option are you considering?

Original Story: SheKnows

Photo: Duke Images