Name Change Advice

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!

Alexa’s Real Name Change Story

Ready to read Alexa’s Real Name Change Story? You’ll love her spontaneous elopement with family…. her new married ABC initials, and Alexa’s great advice for fellow newlyweds!

Alexa’s Love Story

My husband Tyler and I have always been a bit on the adventurous side. We met while working at a skydiving company and got engaged while on a 3 week cruise from LA to NY! Our wedding was one of a kind!

New Years Eve 2019 we were debating on if we should elope and on New Years Day 2020 we were married! We knew we wanted Tyler’s dad to marry us, so he had already been ordained in mid 2019. For New Years we we flew out to Arizona and had rented a cabin with his entire family. While driving to the cabin we saw a snow covered dirt road leading off the main road. We went on google maps and saw where it lead. It was a hidden treasure!

On New Years Eve when we were debating on getting married, we drove to the spot and scoped it out – it was perfect. There was no doubt in my mind that this was where I wanted to get married! We got all dressed up, went to the spot, did the thing, got some awesome drone footage went back home and ate tacos! We are also huge Mexican food fans! There wasn’t a single thing I would have changed about the day! Also, eloping is WAY less stressful than planning an entire wedding!

Alexa’s Name Change Narrative

Well, it was never a question in my mind that I would change my last name. For starters, my maiden name started with a W and I was SO TIRED of getting picked last in school HAHA. But when I was younger, I knew I wanted to marry someone with the last name of a C so my initials could be ABC – stupid I know. But that’s just another reason why I know I married my soulmate!

My new last name is the best part of my name change! Honestly, my last name was always hard to say so people would always butcher it. Cary is just much easier and I don’t have to awkwardly try and spell it out over the phone for people!

The hardest part of my name change is how ambiguous it was. Strangely enough, it seems like the places where you go to get your name changed, don’t always know how they are supposed to do it! There were a lot of questions for me because I had no idea where to start, what I needed for what and where to go.

MissNowMrs gave me everything I needed to get everything going on my name change. Unfortunately, when I was finally able to get my Social Security card changed, COVID-19 hit and I figured it would be best if I waiting to finalize everything after! But I already have everything filled out! I just have to walk into the DMV and mail the remainder of items out!

Alexa’s Newlywed Advice

Tyler and I have always been adventurous. Don’t let your honeymoon be your only adventure. Don’t just get right back to work after – still have date night, still surprise each other with little things. You got married because you want to spend the rest of your lives together – live it up!

How sweet was Alexa’s Real Name Change Story? We’d love to write about your story too! Send us an email 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.

REAL ID and Married Name Change | 2020

Wondering how to handle filing for a REAL ID and married name change? The MissNowMrs name change experts have done the research for you. Follow our advice for the easiest way to obtain a REAL ID with your new name.

To obtain a REAL ID you need to provide proof of identity, proof of Social Security Number, and Proof of residence in your state.

Change your name with Social Security first. Then wait for your new card with your new married name to arrive in the mail. It takes approximately 2 weeks for the Social Security Administration to process your request for a new Social Security Card.

You will also need to bring a certified marriage certificate to file for your REAL ID. Do not bring a photocopy. The DMV requires the original document to process your name change.

Heads up! You cannot use the same document as a proof of ability to drive, proof of identity, AND as a proof of Social Security number. You must have separate documents as each proof.

Real ID Proof of Identity

DMV offices have a very specific list of documents they will accept as your proof of identity. We’ve made a list of them below. Please note that your document must be original and must list your full legal name and date of birth. Remember, you only need one of these documents.

Unexpired US Passport or Passport Card
US Birth Certificate or Birth Certification Card filed with a state office of vital statistics
Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) issued by the US Department of State
Unexpired Permanent Resident Card
Certificate of Naturalization
Certificate of US Citizenship
Unexpired Foreign Passport with accompanying Visa**
Unexpired Employment Authorization Card**

REAL ID Proof of Social Security Number

Next, each DMV requires proof of a Social Security number before they can issue a REAL ID. Any document you provide to prove your Social Security number must contain all 9 digits and your full name. We’ve made a list of acceptable documents below.

Social Security card bearing your full name, Social Security number, and signature
Pay statement reflecting full name and full Social Security number
W-2 (wage and tax statement) reflecting your full name and full Social Security number
1099 Form reflecting your full name and full Social Security number

REAL ID Proof of State Residence

Finally, Proof of residence is just that; documents that prove you live at your current address in your current state. The DMV requires that you provide two different documents showing your address that are not from the company, business, or agency. We’ve made a list of acceptable documents below! *Please note that each document must show your name and address and have been issued in the last 60 days.

Utility bill
Telephone bill
Deed, mortgage, or settlement agreement
Unexpired lease or rental agreement with your name listed as the lessee or renter. This may be a photocopy.
State property tax bill or tax assessment issued within the last 12 months
Unexpired homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy
Bank/credit card/investment account statement
Official mail—received from ANY government agency including the contents and envelope. *Except mail from the DMV.
Student loan statement
Car/personal loan statement

We hope this article has helped you better understand the REAL ID and married name change process. Please feel free to call or email our name change experts if you need additional help!

Help Me Change My Name

Katie’s Real Name Change Story

Are you ready for Katie’s real name change story? She had the first wedding during the COVID crisis that we’ve have the opportunity to cover. Read on to discover how a scavenger hunt proposal led to an unexpectedly intimate wedding filled with love during the pandemic.

Katie’s Love Story

We met like a lot of other shy modern couples, on Bumble. We immediately knew that this was something special and were inseparable from the second we met. Fast forward three years, many baseball games and game nights later, Christian planned an Amazing Race themed scavenger hunt to propose.

We planned the big day for March 21, 2020. Then COVID-19 happened. We tried our best to keep everything as planned, but it just wasn’t in the cards. Surrounded by about 15 amazing friends and family and about 100 more on a live stream, we got married. We plan to have a big party when it is safe for everyone to be together again.

Katie’s Name Change Narrative

I always have planned to change my name when I got married. For us there was no debate. I think it’s one of the sweetest things when you show that you are now one family by taking the same name. The biggest debate for me was weather or not I was going to keep my last name as my middle name. I finally decided not to, most because it just didn’t flow well. Don’t get me wrong, it is a little bitter sweet to leave my family name behind, but starting my own little family with Christian is pretty great.

What do I love about changing my name? It’s incredibly cheesy, but I’ve had so much fun introducing myself as Mrs. W or saying this is my husband (!!!) Christian W.

With COVID-19 all of the government offices have been closed, so figuring out what exactly I have to mail or can send a copy of has been the hardest part of changing my name. We also are in the process of buying a house, so figuring out which address to put in case things are delayed or come early is stressful too.

It’s been great having MissNowMrs to help with my name change! The paperwork was easy to follow and having the checklists with each paper has saved my life! I really would recommend having them print for you and send all the materials. It made everything so clear and easy.

Katie’s Newlywed Advice

Fellow newlyweds, don’t change your name while you’re working on moving! Or do, it’s your life, but man, oh man…it’s been a headache.

Also, take some time for you to spend together. I know that sounds silly, because most of us are quarantined together at this point. I mean intentionally set time aside to do something, not sitting on the couch in proximity, but something you have planned to do together. Even if it’s “today we’re organizing our sock drawers,” seriously. I know it’s really helped us get much less cranky with each other.

Did you love Katie’s Real Name Change Story? We’d love to cover your story as well! 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.

DMV Name Change | 2020

Trying to figure out the DMV name change process? Changing your name on your driver’s license can be complicated. Which form do you use? What items do you need to bring with you? And, when is the best time to go to the DMV? We’ve spent hours of researching the answers so you don’t have to!

How to Prepare for Your DMV Name Change

Each state has a different form and sequence in which you must file for your DMV name change. Depending on your state of residence, you may need to file to change your name on your Social Security Card before you can change your name at the DMV.

If you have moved, you will need to bring at least two proofs of new residence to the DMV. These include utility bills, pay checks, and insurance bills. It is also important to record your license plate number and VIN number so you have them to complete your form.

Looking to avoid long office lines? The best times to visit the DMV are mid-month and mid-week. Always avoid the DMV at the end of the month or after holidays.

Does name change seem like a hassle?

Wait until you begin the name change process on all of your other state and U.S. federal forms of identification! If you’d like to change your name in a matter of minutes, we can help! Use the MissNowMrs app or online service to streamline the 13 hour hassle into 13 minutes.

Help Me Change My Name

The MissNowMrs experts have created a video with our best tips and tricks for changing your name at the DMV. You can watch it below!

What are your experiences with name change at the DMV or MVA? We’d love for you to share in a comment below!

Driver’s License Name Change | 2020

Curious about driver’s license name change? Changing your name on your driver’s license can be complicated. Which form do you use, what are you required to bring with you & where do you file? Our experts have spent hours researching those answers so you don’t have to!

Which Driver’s License Forms Should You File?

Each state driver’s license office has a different form and sequence in which you must file for your name change. Depending on your state of residence you may need to file to change your name on your Social Security Card before you can change your name at the DMV.

Search your state DMV website to find the appropriate form. Usually you will need to complete an application for an updated license. Occasionally, you will need to complete a form for a new license or ID. There may also be a section of the form for you to update your name with your state’s voter registration bureau.

If you have moved, you will need to bring at least two proofs of residency. These typically include utility bills, pay checks, and insurance bills. It is also important to know your license plate number and VIN number to complete your form correctly.

Be prepared by bringing your current driver’s license, certified marriage certificate, the exact fee for your new license (check to see if it needs to be in cash.) And, to have a new photo taken. If you are applying for a REAL ID, there are additional documents that need to be provided.

Think driver’s license name change seems like a hassle?

Wait until you begin the name-change process on all of your other state and U.S. government forms of ID! If you’d like to skip the pain of name change, we can help. Use the MissNowMrs App or online service to complete all of your forms in minutes. You will also receive expert filing tips & advice to streamline your filing process.

Help Me Change My Name