Newlywed Name Change

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!

Mar 25 2019

Married Name Change App on Great Day Washington

Name change after marriage happens year round, but Spring kicks off the largest number of weddings and consequent name changes. The MissNowMrs founder, Danielle Tate, joined Kristen Berset on Great Day Washington to discuss the MissNowMrs name change app, how her married name change company has changed over a decade, and her tips for other women looking to become entrepreneurs.

Why an app? The MissNowMrs app was a direct result of service our market and their needs. 42% of wedding planning is done by smart phone and tablet. Providing a app-based name-change service for newlyweds wishing to switch from their maiden name to their married name made total sense. When your company was founded before Facebook and Instagram… you have to anticipate and lead technology changes to stay in business!

How does the app work? Users download the app, scan the barcode on their driver’s license and their spouse’s, choose which name combination they want (name change options that are illegal in their state of residence are suppressed,) choose their address, and then tap the answers to 15 questions. Upon purchasing, all of the user’s name change forms, such as: Social Security, IRS 8822, US Passport, State Driver’s license, Voter Registration, and notification letters are auto-completed, printed and mailed to them with pre-addressed/pre-posted envelopes. They simply follow the detailed filing instructions provided to go from Miss to Mrs. in minutes!

How do you become an entrepreneur? MissNowMrs was conceived when our founder had trouble changing her name after her wedding. The problem sparked the idea for a solution for all newlyweds changing their names after marriage. So, be on the lookout for problems… and instead of being annoyed by them, think of possible solutions. Those solutions can turn into businesses! Also, look at new technology and how it could create new and better solutions to old problems. There is endless opportunity… not every good idea has been taken.

May 24 2018

Brittany’s Real Name Change Story

We love love, and you’re going to love Brittany’s real name change story! Don’t miss her story of love at first sight, an island proposal, and of course the thoughts and factors that went into her name change decision.

My now-husband and I first met online through the popular dating website, Plenty of Fish, just over two years ago. We both remember it very fondly because we met on February 29th that leap year! After talking online for about a week while I was out of state visiting my best friend, we finally met in person on March 10th, 2016. The rest, as they say, is history. I remember calling all of my close friends after our first date and telling them “I am going to marry this man.” I just knew from that day forward that he was the man that I would spend the rest of my life with.

In June of the following year during a road trip from Texas to Florida, he proposed to me on a remote island about 11 miles off the coast of Biloxi, Mississippi. We were recently married on March 31st, 2018 at our favorite garden in the Dallas Arboretum and it was absolutely perfect. The entire day was filled with nothing but love, joy, and happiness and we truly could not have envisioned a more perfect wedding day! It is a memory that the two of us will cherish forever.

We discussed the idea of changing my name very early on in our engagement. I have always been extremely open to the idea of changing my name after marriage, so there was really not too much for us to mutually consider.

For me personally, the best and most exciting part of changing my name is what it symbolizes. It is not only symbolic of me coming into a new and loving family, but it also marks the beginning of the creation of our own new family.

My maiden name is not the name of my birth father, so I do not possess any particularly strong ties to it. I know that this is something that many new brides seem to struggle with (and rightfully so), so in a way I am rather fortunate that this has not been an issue for me.

Shortly after the “honeymoon bliss” had faded, I began to do some research into the name change process. I am not sure what I had initially expected, but I certainly didn’t expect the process to be so confusing, time consuming, and utterly exhausting! As an already extremely busy person, I could just feel my anxiety beginning to worsen each time I thought about how I was ever going to get everything taken care of.

MissNowMrs has been not only a game-changer, but a life saver! Their service has helped to significantly ease the grueling process of name changing and I highly recommend their services to any bride looking to alleviate that post-wedding burden!

The greatest advice that my husband and I have to give to other newlyweds is “don’t sweat the small stuff”. Whether it is before, during, or after the wedding day, random inconveniences will inevitably arise. Do what you can to avoid them, but know that together you can overcome them!

Photo Credit: Pina Photography

May 01 2018

How to Change Your Name in Illinois

Thinking about Illinois name change? If you’re considering changing your name after marriage in the Prairie State, we can give you 8 tips to simplify the process! Changing your name after marriage involves completing a series of federal and state name change forms. Interestingly enough, each state has different requirements, forms, and filing orders.

In Illinois, newlyweds need to wait to change their names until their certified marriage certificate is issued by the County Clerk’s Office. You’ll receive your certificate in the mail two weeks after your wedding. Once you have it, you can begin the married name change process.

Social Security

First on your name change list is completing the SS-5 form. This updates your maiden name on your Social Security Card. File this form with your certified marriage certificate and your current photo ID, which can be your state driver’s license or your U.S. passport. It’s okay that your IDs show your maiden name. Your certified marriage certificate serves as the legal proof of your marriage. It’s what gives you the ability to request a name change on your Social Security card.

You can opt to file the SS-5 form in-person at your local Social Security Administration Office, or file by mail. *Please note that if you opt to file by mail you will need to send your actual driver’s license or U.S. passport, not a photocopy. If you don’t have a passport, we encourage you to file in-person. This prevents being without your driver’s license for the two week processing time.

US Passport

Next on the newlywed name change to-do list is updating your U.S. Passport with your new married name. You will need to complete the DS-11, DS-82, or DS-5504 depending on your current passport status. Again, you’ll need to file this form with your certified marriage certificate, current US passport, two recent 2×2 photos of yourself, and the appropriate filing fee. In approximately 5-6 weeks you will receive your new U.S. passport in your new married name,

IRS 8822

The IRS 8822 is an optional form. Its purpose is to notify the IRS of your name change. The form only has 7 questions and has no associated filing fee. Because of this, we encourage newlyweds to file it to prevent any tax mishaps from occurring.

USPS

Updating your name with the United States Postal Service can be done by completing form 3575. Or you can go online to update your address. Choose the option which is easiest for you to ensure that you receive mail sent to you in your new married name.

Illinois Driver’s License

Once you have your new Social Security card in your new married name, head to the Illinois DMV to file for your new driver’s license. Bring your Social Security card in your new name, your current driver’s license, your certified marriage certificate, proof of residence if your address has changed (utility bill, or bank statement,) and $5.00 to pay for the processing fee. Your new driver’s license with your married name will be issued the same day you apply and a new photo will be taken.

Illinois Voter Registration

Your Illinois Voter Registration Application is the next state-level name change form to be completed and filed. Simply answer the ten questions on the form. Then mail your application to the State Board. You will receive a new Voter Registration card in your new name. This ensures your ability to vote in upcoming elections.

Creditors

Now that you’re finished filing your federal and state level name change forms, you’ll need to notify all of your banks, credit cards, insurance providers, mortgage providers, student loan providers, employers, utilities, professional license boards, memberships, and subscriptions of your new married name. Some companies can update your name by phone. While others require completion of a name change form. Still others require an in-person office visit to make the switch on your account.

The Best Name Change Solution

If the name change process seems long and complicated, don’t worry! MissNowMrs is the easy name change solution. Our service and app were created by a newlywed fed up with the frustration and red tape associated with changing her name after marriage. Sign up today to go from Miss to Mrs. in a matter of minutes!

Help Me Change My Name

Don’t miss our video about changing your name in Illinois!

Apr 23 2018

MissNowMrs Featured on Dating Advice

As married name change experts, we love sharing tips for making name change easier. So, when the lovely ladies at Dating Advice reached out our founder, Danielle Tate, was happy to share how MissNowMrs got started, how we’ve added the MarriedNameGame and MarriageLicenseNow to our platform over the years. And, why she wrote a book to help other smart women start their own businesses.

Don’t miss the entire name change and entrepreneurship story at Dating Advice, and should any of your friends be single, send them over to this fantastic resource full of experts and advice!

Apr 23 2018

How to Change Your Name In Pennsylvania

Are you a newlywed or nearly-wed in Pennsylvania? If you’re curious how to change your name in the Key Stone State, we have expert tips to make the process a breeze!

Certified Marriage Certificates

After you say “I do,” your minister or officiant will have you sign your marriage license. Then they will file it with the County Clerk’s Office. Approximately two weeks later, you will receive your certified marriage certificate in the mail. This certificate is the legal document that is “proof” of your marriage.

We recommend requesting an additional one or two certified marriage certificates. You will need them to file all of your name-change forms at the federal and state level. Having multiple copies allows you to file multiple forms at once. Thus streamlining the process.

Social Security Name Change

The first place to notify of your new married name, is the Social Security Administration. You will need to complete the SS-5 form and file it along with your certified marriage certificate, and either your state driver’s license or U.S. Passport. There isn’t a fee, so you don’t need to bring your credit card!

Many newlyweds don’t know that there is a file-by-mail option for the SS-5. But, we think it’s a great way to skip the line! Please note that you will need to send your U.S. Passport. If you have international travel booked, take into consideration that your your new Social Security Card takes 2 weeks to be sent to you along with your passport.

IRS 8822 Name Change

The next name change form to complete is the IRS 8822. This form isn’t required. But, it notifies the IRS of your new name, and safeguards you against the nightmare of having your tax returns held while the office figures out who you are. Trust us we’ve had those phone calls.

It is well-worth answering 7 questions, and mailing in the form to breathe easy about your taxes. Please note that there isn’t a street address listed for IRS offices. The office name, city, state, and zip code are all you need to file (mysterious right?)

Pennsylvania Driver’s License Name Change

After your federal government name-change forms are filed, it’s time to begin your Pennsylvania name change forms. To change from your maiden name to your married name on your Pennsylvania driver’s license, you will need to complete the DL-80 form and file it along with your certified marriage certificate, $13.50, and proof of Pennsylvania residence (such as a utility bill) if your address has changed.

Expert Pennsylvania Name Change Tip

Pennsylvania law makes it difficult, but not impossible to take your maiden name as your middle name. If you wish to take your maiden name as a middle name, you will need to file for your new Social Security Card, U.S. Passport, and Pennsylvania Vote Registration card in your new married name and wait for them to arrive BEFORE you file for your new driver’s license. As long as you present all three of these documents you will have no trouble getting your maiden name as a middle name on your Pennsylvania driver’s license. *You can also swap in any tax records or government issued IDs in your new name.

Creditors

After you’ve filed for your name change with federal and state-level offices, the next step is notifying all of your banks, credit cards, insurance providers, mortgage providers, student loan lenders, medical providers, employers, professional license boards, and all of your subscriptions, down to magazines and gym memberships

The Easy Name Change Solution

If all of this seems a little overwhelming as a newlywed, it is! Fortunately another newlywed got fed up with the endless name change process and created MissNowMrs.com. Our easy online name change service streamlines the 13 hour hassle into 30 minutes! Sign up for MissNowMrs today, and spend more time enjoying your status as a newlywed and almost-Mrs!