Real Name Change Stories

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!

Kala’s Real Name Change Story

It’s time for Kala’s Real Name Change Story! Today we’re pleased to share the story of how Kala Z. met the man of her dreams. How they bonded over a love of “nerdy stuff,” planned a Harry Potter themed wedding. And, finally settled on a name change option that honored both her spouse’s name and her Scottish family heritage.

The Love Story

I met my husband Jared almost 2 year before we got married. I had a then 1.5 year old from a previous relationship and started talking to Jared because I had known him through an old friend. We never planned on actually getting together. We just both knew that we have a love of nerdy things. Quickly we realized that there was more than just friendship between us and we started dating pretty soon after that.

We moved into together 3 months later and almost a year later we were engaged. Our wedding went back to the roots of the nerdy things we both loved. It was Harry Potter themed, and magical in every sense of the word. Not a big wedding, but simple and elegant.

The Name Change Narrative

We had talked about getting my name changed as soon as we got engaged. In the area we live in, his family is fairly large so someone, some where knows his family. So there were half-jokes from him about taking my name, but we both knew that I wanted to take his. For me there was also the matter of my family’s history, we have deep rooted connections in Scotland and I am very proud of that heritage. I did not want to lose my last name and the history that was connected to it. I ended up deciding to move my maiden name to my middle name and take on his last name.

The Best Part of Name Change

I would say the best part about changing my name was getting my social security card and seeing it printed out for the first time. Getting my driver’s license done was a close second though. The hardest part about changing my name actually wasn’t the hardest part thanks to MissNowMrs. When I got the list of places I needed to officially change my name, I was overwhelmed quickly. Luckily, my state’s DMV referred me to MissNowMrs and everything became a lot easier.

The Worst Part of Name Change

The worst part was going to be finding all the form for all of the different places I needed to change. The IRS was the most confusing one for me and there were forms and everything I needed right there on the website. I had a conversation with my sister-in-law (who had become such just 3 months before I had my wedding) and she had told me that most of her documents still had her old name just because of how complicated the whole process was. I have found myself in a unique position among my recently married friends where my name change was done quickly while some of them (a year later) still have things listed in their maiden name.

Newlywed Advice

My best advice for a newlywed couple, don’t take life too seriously. It is something my husband has taught me. There are a lot of things in life that are overwhelming and can bring you down so easily. Taking time to have fun and be yourself with each other in the midst of all that is what will keep you sane and together.

Brittany’s Real Name Change Story

The Love Story

We’re happy to share Brittany’s Real Name Change Story! Read on for the story of how she met her husband on the way to a pin-up contest, planned her surprise pseudo-elopement while in medical school, and how her name-change almost didn’t happen.

I had recently moved to Los Angeles, and it was the day before I was competing in a vintage modeling/pin up contest and I needed to pick up some red lipstick. I made my way up the street, in downtown Los Angeles, passing a restaurant called Riorden’s Tavern. As I passed the window, I peered into it and tucked a few wisps hair behind my ear. Looking beyond the window, I saw a large group of guys. After becoming stuck on a particularly handsome one, I noticed the one next to him. A guy with very little hair, mimicking/mocking my hair adjustment. I did a big hair flip and had a good laugh with them through the window. I figured I’d stop in for a laugh with them on my way home.

The Flirtation

Being that I went shopping, it was at least an hour or more before I headed home. A few yards from the restaurant I heard, “Hey! You with the hair,” Turning to see Jonathan and his friend, Steve. They said they had been looking for me and were now headed to coffee and invited me along. As I had just finished my OB/GYN core, and begun my psych core, I poured all the gruesome facts about delivering babies. Stories about the first one I delivered and the details about electro-convulsion shock therapy that I had just learned. The guys didn’t bat an eye, and kept up with the conversation.

Little did I know, he’d been to war and back. And, was building the 62 story skyscraper behind us. After talking about the pin-up competition, vintage cars, and good breweries around town the following day, Steve asked how best to get a hold of me. Thinking that was quite the creative way to ask, leaving it open even to emails, I decided to give him my number. This is something I didn’t typically do. My phone had died. But, I soon received a text saying, “Hi, this is Jon, your window gawking Starbucks escort. Here’s my number, good luck tomorrow.”

The Proposal

Brittany’s Real Name Change Story gets even more interesting here! After winning Miss Moon Eyes 2015, we arranged to meet for drinks that coming Wednesday. I was running a few minutes late and Jon said that when I walked in, a little voice in his head said, “You’re late, you’re 34 years late, but this is what I’ve been waiting for.” After skipping through the streets of Downtown LA it didn’t take much longer before plans were being laid for the rest of our lives.

I initially wanted a two year engagement as I was in the thick of medical school, and felt it would be impossible to plan the wedding of my dreams during this time. However, as the days crept on we were getting more and more excited about our union. And while dress hunting I ended up with three dresses for under $1,000, and we thought ‘hey, let’s put them to use!’

And just like that, we began planning our surprise pseudo-elopement. With the help of Aloha Maui Dream Weddings we invited just our parents and headed out to Maui. They created the wedding of my dreams on a medical student’s budget with Penny Palmer Photography built right in. It was absolutely stress free, and the only regret I have is not ordering the bigger photo package!

The Name Change Narrative

Somewhat of a traditionalist, I always knew I wanted to take my husband’s name. Especially after I heard the perfection of MY husband’s name and introducing myself as, “Dr. Brittany ********.” Oh, it made my heart flutter! However, I still had major exams to take registered under my maiden name. With this 9 hour beast (exam) between me and my married name, I patiently waited to change my name.

Intimidated by the process, when the time came, I reached out to MissNowMrs after seeing it advertised on my DMV’s website. Their process was so streamlined. It also appeared to read my mind, as each question crossed my mind, I hovered the cursor over the prompt and the answer popped up!

The Name Change Twist

I printed my sheets and headed to my local Social Security office to start the process… where I was promptly told I could not change my name because my maiden name was on my marriage certificate/license… but that was me… that’s who got married wasn’t it? She said I hadn’t changed my name yet, I wasn’t married!? I was told I had to pay $600 to file to have the court change my name, publish the request in the paper and it would take 4+ weeks.

I was crushed but began filing with the court, was denied a fee waiver and was again disappointed. After a friend of mine came by and told me she had her maiden name on her marriage certificate too and had no problem, she suggested I try a different office. I gathered what hope I had left and gave it a shot. Low and behold – they didn’t even comment on it! In and out in less than an hour, free of charge!

With the big wedding on the horizon in a few months, we’re putting the final touches on things, struggling with budgets, and researching florists… but I couldn’t be more excited! I can’t wait to share our love and excitement for the adventure ahead with all our extended family and friends.

Newlywed Advice

My advice to anyone, especially, newlyweds, is to roll with the punches and take everything in stride. Attitude is everything. Sometimes life is just about luck and timing. If you always keep a positive attitude, with perseverance, things will line up eventually and you’ll be perfectly happy passing the time until they do.

Beautiful wedding photos by: Penny Palmer Photography

Robin’s Real Name Change Story

We’re super excited to share Robin’s Real Name Change Story. Read on to hear how two sports-loving coworkers fell in love, how Robin’s fiancé supported her not changing her name, and the realization that changed her mind and had her surprising him with her name change paperwork from MissNowMrs!

Robin’s Love Story

I think our love story is fun! A few years ago at work I spotted this guy, he was always smiling and always made people laugh in the office. One day as I was driving home from work I noticed he was stopped next to me on the highway. Our eyes met and we shared an extremely awkward wave… I had never talked to him but I knew who he was.

Over the next few weeks I would catch him staring at me from across the room and look away as soon as he would see that I noticed. This went on for 2 months or so and I was wondering why he hadn’t approached me yet… It was now my birthday weekend in September and I invited a few of his friends in the office out for drinks knowing all too well that he would be with them. We hung out that night and after that he still continued to stare at me in the office.

Neither I nor him had the courage to talk to each other. Thanksgiving rolls around and his desk was moved right across from mine so we were facing each other!! It was like fate. We began to chat and flirt for the next few days. Until, his desk was moved again. FINALLY, he asked me out! No idea what took him so long. Our first date was not planned at all. He calls me and goes “I hope you like basketball because I have 2 tickets to the Cincinnati Bearcats game.” Luckily for him I love and live sports… and ever since we have been like two peas in a pod!

Robin’s Wedding Day

Our wedding day went off without any issues at all which I am so grateful for! We were married on September 3, 2017. On September 2nd it was raining, storming and a gross mess outside. Someone upstairs had to be looking out for us because the weather was perfect, not too hot and the sun was shining, only a few clouds in the sky!!! The day’s festivities went off without any problems.

The most emotional part of the day for me was when I had my hair and makeup done and finally stepped into my wedding dress. This was the first time that day I cried… and I am not a crier, ask my husband. I think he has seen me cry maybe once or twice before the wedding and I think I broke out into happy tears at least 6 times between the hours of 1:00 and 5:00 before the “I do’s”. I could write pages on pages about what happened on the wedding day from start to finish, but I don’t want to bore anyone! Overall, the day was perfect!

Robin’s Name Change Narrative

Chris and I briefly talked about my name change about 1-2 months before the wedding. We were told that people wanted to know what my last name would be so they could monogram gifts, etc. That was the first time I had ever thought about name change. At first I was against changing my name because I felt that I would lose a piece of me if I had changed it. My husband supported my decision not to change my name; he would say “you married me, I don’t care what your last name is.”

I struggled with this up until about a month ago. Then I realized I am still me. A name is just a name and it can’t take anything away from me. A friend of mine suggested I use MissNowMrs to change my name. As a surprise, I filled out the paperwork. When the envelope came in the mail, I told my husband. He was SO EXCITED that I decided to change my name.

MissNowMrs has made the transition from my maiden name to my new name soooo simple!! I don’t have to go anywhere. Everything came with postage and I simply follow the directions and mail in what needs to be mailed. Right now I am waiting for my documents to come back! It will take some time to get used to. And, it is strange seeing my new name. I think this is all worth it. Seeing how excited my husband was when I told him I decided to change my name made me realize that it was meant to be.

Robins Real Married Name Change Decision

Robin’s Newlywed Advice

My advice to newlyweds is to be patient and relax. There isn’t as much to stress about as it seems. And even though EVERYONE says it…. make sure to soak in your day because it truly is the best day of your life!

Name Change After Marriage | Robins Story

Lovely wedding photos by Leppert Photography