Name Change After Marriage for Newlyweds

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!

Name Change After Marriage in Alabama

Newlywed in the Heart of Dixie? If you are considering name change after marriage in Alabama, there are a few key things to keep in mind as you make the switch to your new name.

Alabama Name Change Options

Alabama’s policies make it a great state to change your name in. All of the name-change options are allowed under state law. So, you can take your spouse’s last name, hyphenate your last names, take two last names sans hyphen, take your maiden name as a middle name or replace your middle name with your maiden name. If you’re on the fence about the new name that is right for you, play the Married Name Game. Its algorithm determine your ideal married last name based on key life factors and your personal style.

Alabama Name Change Forms

Any newlywed in Alabama changing their name needs to file the SS-5 form to update their social security card. Then the IRS 8822 to update their name associated with taxes. Followed by, one of three passport forms to update their married name with the State Department and the USPS form to change their name with the postal service.

The Alabama DMV does not have an official form for newlyweds changing their names on their driver’s licenses. But, you will need to bring your current license, your certified marriage certificate, and proof of residence if your address has changed.

Alabama Name Change Fees

It is free to file all federal name change forms except for the passport form(s). If you have had your U.S. passport for less than twelve months you can update your married name on your book for free. If you have had your current passport for more than twelve months you will need to pay $110 to have your married moniker on your passport.

The fee for your duplicate driver’s license is $18.50. So, if you’re changing your name after marriage in Alabama you’re going to spend approximately $118.50. This does not include certified marriage certificate fees. Not too bad to become a newly named newlywed!

Save Time On Your Name Change

You can manually fill out all of the forms mentioned along with notification letters for all of your banks, credit cards, insurances, employers, mortgages, etc. OR, you can use the MissNowMrs easy online name change service. It’s like TuboTax for married name change. Answer a few questions and all of your forms will be prepared for you. You can print, sign, and file. Or opt for our premium package and have them mailed to you with pre-addressed envelopes and postage. For only $29.95 it’s a no-brainer for busy newlyweds!

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Name Change After Marriage & Voting

Newlywed and trying to figure out how name change after marriage & voting impact each other? It is very important to understand how changing your maiden name may affect your ability to vote in the presidential election. This isn’t a scary article. It’s a heads up so you can exercise your right to vote regardless of your name-change status!

Every state has different voter identification laws. But, most require photo ID in the name listed on your voter registration records. If you’ve already begun changing your name and have updated your voter registration with your new married name, you’re in the clear! You can rest assured that come Election Day you can cast your ballot and participate in electing our new president.

If you’re planning to change your name, but haven’t filed any legal paperwork for a new driver’s license or U.S. Passport in your new married name, you should consider waiting to change your name until after the election. This will ensure that your forms of ID match voter records and you will be able to vote without issue.

What if all of your identification documents have been changed to your married name, but your maiden name is still on file with the voter registration office?

Option 1: You can call the office to see if you can update your name on your registration. Depending how close you’re cutting it they should be able to assist you.

Option 2: Be prepared to sign an affidavit on the poll sheet asserting you are the same person.

Now that you know your options…take the avenue that is best for you, but please vote. Countless brave women made tremendous sacrifices to ensure you had the right, as a woman, to elect government officials. Make them proud ladies!

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Blending Last Names: The Inside Scoop on Unconventional Name Change

The concept of blending last names after marriage makes sense. You were two independent people with different lives and different names. As you marry, you begin to blend your lives, finances, goals, families, and dreams together. A blended last name is a tangible representation of your newly blendedness (yes I made that word up).

While a combined last name may seem like a great option as newlyweds, the government doesn’t agree. As a name change service, we know all about the red tape associated with legal married name change, but it isn’t common knowledge. So here’s the scoop.

California residents are the only engage people in the US that have the option to blend their last names using the married name change process. BUT both partners must write the new last name on their marriage license application. If you think of blending after your wedding… you’re out of luck. Make that one more reason to discuss name change before saying “I do.”

What if you don’t live in California and still want to blend your last names? Traditionally both partners have to petition the court system for a legal name change order. Those documents, once issued, will allow you both to go through the name-change process and change your names. It’s not fun, but it’s how it’s done.

I recently read an article about a newlywed couple in Brooklyn who combined their last names from Franklin and Reed to Franklin Reed. They petitioned the court prior to their wedding and the judge granted their request. They celebrated with the #FranklinReedNoHyphen hashtag at their wedding! This goes to prove that where there is a will, there is a way. Even in married name change!

Should you need help changing your name, the MissNowMrs App and service can save you 13 hours of hassle.

Photo credit: Rachel Kara

Will Newly Engaged Pippa Middleton Change Her Name?!

The world is abuzz with the news of Pippa’s recent engagement to James Matthews! We all know she looks lovely in white! The couple made it official on July 17th, and while most people are curious when and where the wedding will be (and if Prince George will be the ring bearer.) We’re curious will Pippa Middleton Change Her Name?

Will Pippa change her name after marriage? Let’s look at the facts. Pippa is 32 and benefits from name recognition as a socialite, author, and columnist. Those two factors would point to her keeping her name or perhaps hyphenating, which is called double-barreling in England.

Romance and tradition are two factors that cannot be plotted scientifically, so as wild cards they could change Pippa’s decision and have her carrying the new moniker of Mrs. Pippa Matthews after her wedding. We think James’ opinion on name-change will come into play as the newlyweds begin to make life choices together.

While we’ll have to wait and wonder will Pippa Middleton change her name. We wish Pippa a lifetime of love and happiness in her marriage! And, should you need to change your name. The MissNowMrs app and service can save you 13 hours of hassle.

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Married Name Change & the IRS 8822 Form Video

Watch this video for the full scoop on why newlyweds should file the IRS 8822 form & tips for answering the tricky questions!