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Social Security Married Name Change 5 Step Process

To change your last name with Social Security after marriage, file Form SS-5 with a certified copy of your marriage certificate and an unexpired photo ID. It is free, your Social Security number (SSN) stays the same, and your new card arrives in about 2 weeks. Do it first: the IRS, your employer, and most state DMVs check your name against your Social Security record before they will update theirs.

This guide comes from MissNowMrs, the online name change service that has helped over 500,000 newlyweds. MissNowMrs is a private company, not a government agency. Filing with the Social Security Administration (SSA) is free whether or not you use our service.

How do I change my name with Social Security after marriage?

There are three steps, and most newlyweds finish them in one sitting plus a two-week wait.

  1. Get a certified copy of your marriage certificate from the county or state office that recorded your marriage. Photocopies are not accepted.
  2. Complete Form SS-5, the Application for a Social Security Card. Answer Question 11 “Yes” (more on that below).
  3. Apply online, in person, or by mail. Online works only for marriages in 21 participating states; everyone else visits an SSA office or mails original documents.

Cost & Time at a Glance

CostFree (Social Security charges nothing; you only pay for certified marriage certificate copies)
TimeNew card in about 10 to 14 business days (about 2 weeks)
DeadlineNo hard deadline, but do this step before the DMV, IRS, and passport

Good to know

  • Your Social Security number does not change. Your 9-digit number stays the same for life; only the name attached to it changes.
  • It will not use up your card replacements. A marriage name change is exempt from the usual replacement-card limits (3 per year, 10 per lifetime), even if you have replaced a card before.

New Spouse, New Name, New Journey: Embrace Your New Married Life.

With Personalized Name Change Services for Every Newlywed.

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Watch: a short video overview of the Social Security name change, from the MissNowMrs name change experts.

Can you change your name with Social Security online?

Yes, but only if your marriage license is from one of 21 participating states and you meet every condition below. Everyone else can usually start online but must finish at an SSA office.

SSA’s online married name change runs through your my Social Security account. You qualify only if all of these are true:

  • You are a U.S. citizen, 18 or older, with a U.S. mailing address.
  • You are changing your name because of marriage, and the marriage was at least 30 days ago.
  • Your marriage license was issued in a participating state (listed below).
  • You have a my Social Security account, or create one in a few minutes.

Participating states for the online option (as of 2026, and the list keeps growing):

Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.

If your marriage license is from any of the other 29 states, Washington D.C., or a U.S. territory, you can usually start online but will need to finish at an SSA office. Not sure which applies to you? Answer a few questions on SSA’s own tool and it will tell you: Change name with Social Security.

What documents do you need for a Social Security name change?

For a name change due to marriage, you need two original documents plus the SS-5 application: proof of your name change and proof of your identity. Photocopies and notarized copies are not accepted.

What SSA needsWhat to bring after marriageNotes
Proof of the name changeCertified copy of your marriage certificateOrder it from the county or state office that recorded the marriage. The fee varies by county.
Proof of identityUnexpired U.S. driver’s license, state-issued ID, or U.S. passportAny one of the three. Without them, SSA may accept another photo ID such as an employee or school ID, or a health insurance card (not a Medicare card).
Proof of U.S. citizenshipU.S. birth certificate or U.S. passportOnly needed if SSA’s records do not already show your citizenship.
The applicationCompleted Form SS-5Download it from ssa.gov.

Not a U.S. citizen? See what non-citizens bring.

How do you fill out the SS-5 name change application?

Fill out Form SS-5 with your new married name as the name to be shown on the card, list your previous name where the form asks for other names used, and answer Question 11 “Yes”.

The Question 11 mistake

Question 11 asks whether you, or anyone acting on your behalf, has ever filed for or received a Social Security card before. If you already have a card, the answer is Yes, because your parents applied for you, and you enter your existing number.

Answering No can lead SSA to issue a second Social Security number, which splits your earnings record and is hard to undo. It is the question we are asked about most.

Before you file, check that every name and date on the form matches your marriage certificate and ID exactly. Missing fields are the most common reason an application is delayed or rejected.

Rather not hand-fill the SS-5? See the name change kit.

Skip the SS-5 Guesswork.

We pre-fill your SS-5 and the rest of your federal and state name change forms. Answer once.

Ready for a New Name? Order Now!

How do you apply in person at a Social Security office or by mail?

If you cannot apply online, either visit a Social Security office or mail your SS-5 with your original documents. In person is faster for getting your documents back: the clerk copies them and returns them on the spot.

Applying in person

  • Find your nearest office with SSA’s office locator, or call SSA at 1-800-772-1213 to book an appointment.
  • Bring your completed SS-5, your certified marriage certificate, and your photo ID.
  • For state-specific steps after SSA, such as your DMV’s rules, see our state-by-state name change guides.

Applying by mail

  • Mail the SS-5 with your original certified marriage certificate and one unexpired photo ID. SSA mails the originals back.
  • You will be without those documents for about two weeks. If your driver’s license is your only photo ID, file in person or mail your passport instead, so you are never without a license.
  • Mail adds a few days to the overall timeline.

Not in an online state and dreading the office trip? See the name change kit.

How long does a new Social Security card take, and what does it cost?

Changing your name with Social Security is free, and the new card arrives in about 10 to 14 business days (roughly 2 weeks) after SSA processes your application. Filing by mail adds a few days.

The only cost is the certified copy of your marriage certificate, which your county or state charges for; the fee varies by location. A marriage name change also does not count against SSA’s replacement-card limits (3 per year, 10 per lifetime).

Does your Social Security number (SSN) change when you change your last name?

No. Your 9-digit Social Security number stays the same for life; only the name attached to it changes. SSA calls the new card a corrected card: same number, new name. That is exactly why Question 11 on the SS-5 must be answered “Yes”.

Why change your name with Social Security first?

Social Security comes first because other agencies check your name against SSA’s record. Many state DMVs verify your new name with SSA before issuing a license, and your tax return must match the name SSA has on file. Update SSA, wait for the change to go through, then move on.

While you wait for the new card

Your new card takes about two weeks. Until it arrives:

  • Hold off on the DMV. Many states verify your new name with Social Security before issuing a license, so a same-day DMV trip can bounce until SSA shows the change.
  • Hold off on filing taxes under the new name until the card arrives, so your return matches SSA records.

If you also need a REAL ID, the order matters even more: see REAL ID and your married name change.

What do you do after your Social Security name change?

Once Social Security shows your new name, update everything else in this order.

  1. Driver’s license or state ID, and REAL ID. Most DMVs want your new Social Security card and marriage certificate. See driver’s license name change and REAL ID after marriage.
  2. Passport. Be careful if you have travel booked: the name on your ticket must match your ID. See passport name change after marriage.
  3. IRS. Notify the IRS with Form 8822. See Form 8822 and your name change.
  4. Employer and payroll. See updating your name with your employer.
  5. Banks, credit cards, insurance, utilities, and everything else. Most want your new ID and marriage certificate.

Track all of it with our free married name change checklist, or read the full name change after marriage guide.

Social Security Is Step One.

Get every remaining form, from the DMV to your passport, pre-filled in one kit.

Ready for a New Name? Order Now!

Should you do it yourself or use MissNowMrs?

You can change your name with Social Security yourself for free; MissNowMrs saves time on the forms that come after it. Here is an honest comparison.

Do it yourselfWith MissNowMrs
Social Security filing feeFreeFree (government fees are the same either way)
Finding the right formsYou find each agency’s formWe identify the federal and state forms for your situation
Filling out formsYou enter the same details on every formAnswer once; we pre-fill every form
SS-5 Question 11 and similar trapsYou check the instructions yourselfPre-filled correctly, with step-by-step filing instructions
FilingYou file or visit each agencyYou still sign and file; we tell you where and in what order
CostYour timeSee current kit prices

Other Social Security name change situations

What if you are not a U.S. citizen?

The process is the same, but you also bring your current U.S. immigration document, such as a Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551) or work permit, plus your unexpired foreign passport. SSA uses them to confirm your identity, status, and work eligibility.

What if you need help in another language?

SSA provides interpreters at no cost. Ask for one when you book your appointment or arrive at the office.

How do you change your name back after a divorce?

File a new SS-5 with a certified copy of your divorce decree that restores your former name, plus proof of identity. The rest of the process is the same as after marriage.

How do you change a child’s name with Social Security?

A parent or legal guardian files the SS-5 for the child, with proof of the child’s U.S. citizenship and identity, proof of the parent’s identity, and the legal document behind the change, such as an adoption decree or court order.

What if your name change is not from marriage?

For any other change, including a gender transition, you need a legal name change document, usually a court order. Requirements vary by state, so check your state’s rules or ask a legal professional.

What if you lost your old Social Security card?

You do not need to return your old card. Apply with the same documents: proof of identity, proof of the name change, and proof of citizenship or immigration status if SSA asks for it.

What if Social Security rejects your name change?

Read the notice; it states why. The usual causes are missing SS-5 fields, photocopies instead of certified originals, or names that do not match across documents. Fix the issue and resubmit.

What are the most common Social Security name change mistakes?

The five mistakes we see most often:

  1. Answering No to Question 11, which risks a second Social Security number.
  2. Sending photocopies. SSA needs originals or certified copies from the issuing office.
  3. Going to the DMV first, before SSA shows your new name.
  4. Mailing your only photo ID and being without a license for two weeks.
  5. Assuming SSA updates everyone else. It does not: the IRS, your passport, your bank, and your employer each need their own update.
Social Security Married Name Change

Social Security name change FAQ

what documents do i need to change my name on my social security card

To change your name on your Social Security card, you’ll need a document that proves your identity, like a valid driver’s license or passport, and another that confirms the name change, such as a certified marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.

How much does it cost to change your name on your social security card

Changing your name on your Social Security card is free. The Social Security Administration does not charge any fee for processing a name change request. However, there might be costs associated with obtaining the necessary documents (like certified marriage certificates or court orders) to prove the name change.

What should I answer on form SS-5, for question #11.

The question asks “Has the person listed in item one or anyone acting on his/her behalf ever filed for or received a Social Security number card before?” You should answer “yes” if you currently have a Social Security Card.

3 Tips for Florida Name Change

Name Change After Marriage Florida

Most Florida newlyweds queue for paperwork the state has already done. Two of the steps that cost money and an afternoon almost everywhere else happen here on their own: the first certified copy of your marriage certificate is mailed to you, and your vehicle record updates itself the moment your license changes. Knowing that up front is worth more than any checklist, so here are the three tips that matter most, and then the whole process in order.

The Three Tips That Save Florida Newlyweds the Most Time

1. Do not order that first certified copy

In most Florida counties the first certified copy of the recorded marriage certificate is included and mailed to you. Hillsborough County states it plainly: there is no charge for the first certified copy, and once the marriage is recorded the copy is mailed to the couple within 7 business days. Broward sends a certified copy to the address on the application. Wait for the post before you pay for anything.

2. Your vehicle record updates itself

Change the name on your driver license and the electronic title updates automatically. There is no second counter to visit for the vehicle record. The printed title is the only thing that lags, and you are allowed to leave it alone.

3. Take the premarital course before the wedding, not after

A registered premarital preparation course cuts the marriage license fee from $86.00 to $61.00 and waives the three day waiting period. That is a decision you can only make before the license is issued, which is why it belongs on a name change page rather than a wedding planning one.

What a Florida Name Change Costs

Cost & Time at a Glance

Cost$25.00 for the replacement driver license or ID card, plus a $6.25 service fee on any credential issued in a tax collector office. Extra certified copies of the marriage certificate run $3 in Hillsborough and Broward and $9 first, $7 each additional in Miami-Dade. Social Security is free. There is no state income tax step at all.
TimeSocial Security first, then 24 to 48 hours before Florida can see the change. One in person visit after that.
Deadline30 days. Florida applies it to both the driver license and the title and registration, which is the part people miss.

Florida is a cheap state for this and a strict one about doing it in person. Once the license is sorted, our name change checklist handles the banks, cards and accounts that no government office will tell you about.

Ready for a New Name? Order Now!

Step 1: Wait for the Certificate to Arrive

Every later step needs a certified copy of the recorded marriage certificate, and the single most common Florida mistake is paying for one that was already on its way. The license you signed before the ceremony is not the certificate. The certificate is what the Clerk of the Circuit Court records afterwards, and in much of the state the first one is included in what you already paid. Hillsborough County Clerk · Broward County Clerk · our guide to certified marriage certificates

One warning that matters later: several Florida agencies will not accept a plain photocopy. The Board of Nursing and DBPR both require the marriage license to carry the original signature and seal from the Clerk of the Court. Order two or three extra certified copies while you are in the system rather than discovering this at renewal.

Step 2: Social Security, Then Wait 24 to 48 Hours

Florida will not touch your license until Social Security has moved first. FLHSMV is explicit: name changes must first be made with the Social Security Administration, and you should allow 24 to 48 hours after that before applying. The form is SS-5, it is free, and your number never changes. SSA: change your name · our Social Security name change guide

That waiting window is the real constraint on your calendar, not the paperwork. Book the license appointment for two days after the Social Security visit, not the same afternoon. There are 40 Social Security offices in Florida:

OfficeAddressCityZIPPhone
Belle Glade925 Se 1st StreetBelle Glade33430(855) 257-0983
Carrollwood10050 N Florida AveTampa33612(855) 433-5873
Clearwater2340 Drew StreetClearwater33765(888) 397-5325
Cocoa310 Canaveral GrovesCocoa32926(866) 964-0798
Dade City36630 Adair RoadDade City33525(866) 562-1325
Deland1629 S Adelle AveDeland32720(866) 964-7396
East Hillsborough2027 S Parsons AveSeffner33584(866) 593-8721
Fort Myers4220 Executive CircleFort Myers33916(888) 318-9114
Ft Lauderdale East3201 W Commercial BlvdFt Lauderdale33309(877) 253-4720
Ft Lauderdale W8501 W Sunrise BlvdPlantation33322(866) 331-9093
Ft Walton Beach111-B Racetrack Rd NwFort Walton Beach32547(866) 331-2194
Gainesville4562 Nw 13 StreetGainesville32609(877) 219-8323
Jacksonville North1685 Dunn AveJacksonville32218(866) 635-0789
Jacksonville South7185 Bentley RoadJacksonville32256(877) 409-8424
Kissimmee4030 West Vine St.Kissimmee34741(866) 614-4754
Lake City1348 Sw Bascom NorrisLake City32025(877) 600-2859
Lake MarySuite 2001Lake Mary32746(866) 964-7379
Lakeland550 Commerce DrLakeland33813(877) 604-9387
Leesburg900 N 14th StreetLeesburg34748(866) 836-3623
Little Havana3663 Sw 8th StMiami33135(877) 714-0373
Marianna4227 Lafayette StMarianna32446(888) 397-4815
Melbourne1715 W Nasa BlvdMelbourne32901(866) 716-7667
Miami Beach1801 Alton RdMiami Beach33139(877) 714-0374
New Port Richey7601 Little RoadNew Port Richey34654(866) 593-5679
Ocala933 E Silver Spgs BlvdOcala34470(877) 626-9911
Orlando500 N Orange AveOrlando32801(866) 964-6146
Panama City3215 Hwy 77Panama City32405(866) 348-5833
Pensacola411 W Garden StreetPensacola32502(877) 505-4550
Perrine11100 Sw 211th StMiami33189(866) 964-6593
Port Orange4990 S Clyde Morris BlvdPort Orange32127(866) 210-8089
Port St Lucie6810 S Us Hwy 1Port St Lucie34952(866) 366-1627
Pt Charlotte4054 Beaver LnPort Charlotte33952(877) 405-0490
Sebring3700 Commercial DriveSebring33870(877) 405-0415
St Augustine2428 Old Moultrie RoadSt Augustine32086(877) 405-5867
St Petersburg30 Dr Mlk St SSt Petersburg33701(866) 613-3965
Tallahassee2002 Old St AugustineTallahassee32301(866) 248-2088
Tampa7012 W Hillsborough AveTampa33634(866) 331-2317
Vero Beach724 20th StVero Beach32960(866) 964-7414
West Palm Beach801 Clematis StreetWest Palm Beach33401(866) 783-7339
Winter Haven1395 Nw Havendale BlvdWinter Haven33881(877) 457-1739
Ready for a New Name? Order Now!

Step 3: The License, In Person, Within 30 Days

Florida gives you 30 days to update the name on your driver license or ID card, and every name change must be done in person at a local office. Address changes can go through the MyDMV Portal online. Name changes cannot. A replacement license or ID costs $25.00, plus the $6.25 service fee that may apply to any credential issued in a tax collector office. FLHSMV: name and address changes · FLHSMV fee schedule · our driver license name change guide

What to bring, and the passport shortcut most people miss

Florida issues REAL ID compliant credentials, so the document list is longer than you expect. From the official what-to-bring list:

  1. Primary identification. An original US birth certificate, valid US passport or passport card, Consular Report of Birth Abroad, Certificate of Naturalization, or Certificate of Citizenship. The birth certificate must come from a county health department or the Bureau of Vital Statistics. Hospital birth certificates are not accepted.
  2. Proof of Social Security. Your card showing the current name, or a W-2, pay stub, SSA-1099 or any 1099. Handwritten documents are refused.
  3. Two different proofs of residential address. Not one. Your current license does not count. Utility bills, payment booklets and medical bills must be dated within the last 60 days.
  4. Your certified marriage certificate, which is what links the name on your primary identification to your new name.

The shortcut

FLHSMV puts it in one sentence: if a valid US passport already shows your current name, you are not required to present additional name change documents. If you renewed your passport into your married name first, the marriage certificate stops being necessary at this counter. For everyone else it is the linking document, so bring it.

How the passport name change works · Find a Florida service center

Step 4: The Vehicle Record Has Already Updated

This is the part of Florida that nobody explains, and it saves an entire trip. Updating the name on your driver license automatically updates your electronic title. The department vehicle ownership record is changed the moment your license is. You do not queue twice.

WhatWhat Florida actually doesWhat you do
Electronic titleUpdates automatically when your license name changesNothing. It is done
Printed titleStill shows the previous name until a new one is applied forOptional. Form HSMV 82040 if you want a fresh printed title
RegistrationA new registration must be issued showing the new nameForm HSMV 82101
Title with a lien on itThe lienholder may not allow a new title to be printedLeave it. Florida permits this

FLHSMV states outright that it is permissible to leave the amended name unchanged on the printed title, because the ownership record is already correct. If your car is financed and the lienholder will not release the title, that is not a problem you need to solve. The 30 day clock still covers the registration, so handle form HSMV 82101 while you are at the counter for your license. Questions go to the Customer Service Center on (850) 617-2000.

What Extra Certified Copies Cost by County

The first copy is usually free and mailed to you. Extra copies are priced by the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the county that issued the license, and the spread is real:

CountyFirst certified copyEach additionalWorth knowing
HillsboroughFree, mailed within 7 business days of recording$3The cheapest large county in the state
BrowardSent to the address on your application$3.00Records from 1915 to 1997 are in person only, at the Marriage Central Courthouse. 1998 onward from any courthouse. Marriage line 954-831-7283
Miami-Dade$9$7Add a $2 per year search fee if you do not know the year. Online ordering covers 1971 to the present. Earlier records by mail or in person

Married outside your home county? It does not matter where you live now. The certificate is held by the county that issued the license, and a Florida license may be applied for in any county and used to marry in any Florida county. Miami-Dade certified copies

The License Fee, the Course Discount and the 60 Day Rule

Decisions that only exist before the wedding

  • A Florida marriage license costs $86.00.
  • Complete a registered premarital preparation course and present the printed certificate to the Clerk of the Circuit Court, and the fee drops to $61.00 and the waiting period disappears.
  • Without the course, Florida residents wait three days. There is no waiting period for non residents, which is why destination weddings here are simple.
  • Under Fla. Stat. 741.041 a license is valid only for 60 days after issuance, and the clerk must print the final valid date on the license itself. Check that date before you travel.
  • Fees can vary a little by county, so confirm with the clerk you plan to use.

Fla. Stat. 741.041, marriage license valid for 60 days

Ready for a New Name? Order Now!

Voter Registration

Update the name on your registration at RegisterToVoteFlorida.gov, or use the same system to prepopulate, print, sign and mail a paper application if you would rather leave a signature on file. The general registration deadline is 29 days before an election, so do it well ahead of any vote you care about. The Voter Assistance Hotline is 1-866-308-6739, Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Register to Vote Florida · Division of Elections: update your information

There Is No State Tax Step

Florida has no state personal income tax, so there is no state revenue department to notify and no state tax profile to update. Several states put a whole extra form in front of newlyweds at this point. Florida simply does not have one. Give your employer an updated W-4 so your federal withholding matches your new name at Social Security, and you are finished with tax.

Professional Licenses

Two agencies cover most licensed Floridians, and one of them is dramatically faster if you go online:

Who you areWhere it goesHow long it takes
Nurses and health care practitionersThe MQA Online Services Portal. Upload the marriage license showing the original signature and seal from the Clerk of the CourtWithin 48 hours online. 5 to 7 business days by mail
Real estate, cosmetology, construction, CPAsDBPR, either as an online transaction or on the board form for your profession, such as DBPR RE 10 for real estateMail to 2601 Blair Stone Road, Tallahassee, FL 32399-0783. Contact Center 850.487.1395

One catch worth planning for: a name change on its own does not produce a new physical nursing license. If you want a card showing your married name you have to request a duplicate license separately. DBPR licenses, by contrast, print free from your online account. Board of Nursing name change form · DBPR online services

Concealed Weapon License

Florida concealed weapon licenses are handled by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Licensing, not by law enforcement. Send a written request and a copy of the legal document proving your name change to Division of Licensing, P.O. Box 6387, Tallahassee, FL 32314-6387. A revised license can be printed for $15, by check or money order.

You are not obliged to do it now. FDACS says you may keep your current license until it is time to renew, and send the name change document with the renewal application then. No deadline is published, so this is one you can genuinely defer. FDACS: how to notify us about a name change

Florida in Order

  1. Wait for the certified marriage certificate to arrive in the post. Order extras only if you need them.
  2. Social Security, form SS-5, free.
  3. Wait 24 to 48 hours.
  4. One in person visit for the driver license, $25.00, within 30 days. Bring primary identification, proof of Social Security, two address documents and the certificate.
  5. Your electronic title is now already correct. File HSMV 82101 for the registration.
  6. Voter registration online, professional license through your portal, concealed weapon license whenever you like.

That is the whole state process, and the expensive parts of it are the ones Florida hands you for nothing. The banks, cards, insurers, employer records and airline profiles are where the real hours go, and no government office will remind you about any of them. Our name change checklist covers those, and you can compare how other states handle it if you have moved recently.

Ready for a New Name? Order Now!

Brittany’s Real Name Change Story

Brittany Real Newlywed Name Change

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!

Brittany Newlywed Married Name Change

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.

Brittany Married Name Change
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.

Newlywed Name Change

Beautiful wedding photos by: Penny Palmer Photography

Mrs. Ring Dish: Our Newlywed Giveaway

Newlywed Giveaway | Mrs Ring Dish

We thought we’d spice up your Thursday with a newlywed giveaway! This super cute Mrs. ring dish is the perfect place to put your wedding ring and engagement ring when they’re not on your finger!
To earn a chance to win, simply follow us on Instagram and comment on our giveaway post! We’ll pick one lucky winner and send you your cute little dish. If you’re looking for other ways to celebrate being a Mrs., don’t miss the About That Wedding shop on Etsy. She has everything from custom floral tumblers to Mr. and Mrs. hats!

Good luck ladies and don’t forget to share this Mrs. ring dish giveaway with your engaged and newlywed friends! Should you have questions about transitioning to Mrs. we have name change answers for you.  We also have MissNowMrs gift cards, which make the perfect gift for busy newlyweds. Who doesn’t want to skip 13 hours of name change hassle?!

Robin’s Real Name Change Story

Robin's Real Married 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