Newlywed

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!

What’s In A Name?

Newlywed and considering changing your name? There are so many decisions that come along with “I do”. Things like whose insurance to merge under, where to live, whether to combine all of your finances, which family you celebrate which holiday with and of course whether to change your name or not. It’s completely understandable to be overwhelmed by the concept of name change after marriage, especially with all of the extra decisions that must be made as newlyweds.

Take some time to consider what your maiden name means to you. Does your maiden name roll off your tongue and remind you of your heritage and various degrees and accomplishments you’ve made? Does it make you feel proud and define your sense of “you”? If so, you should consider keeping your maiden name in some way if you decide to change your name after marriage. You have the option to hyphenate your maiden name with your spouse’s last name, take both last names sans hyphen, take your maiden name as a second middle name or replace your middle name with your maiden name (which is an added bonus for those with horrid middle names).

Conversely, if you think about your maiden name and remember being mercilessly teased as a child or being a the very end of the alphabet and called last for everything you may have extra incentive to change your name to your spouse’s last name and drop your maiden name completely. Some women see married name change as a tangible way to show that they’re “all in” in their marriage.
Regardless of the factors that influence the decision, name change after marriage is a very personal and permanent decision. Consider playing the Married Name Game to have its patent-pending algorithm generate your ideal married name change combination!

5 Reasons to Take Your New Married Name in the New Year

Ready to take your new married name in the New Year? We’re twelve days into January, and sadly many newlyweds’ New Year’s resolutions are already falling by the wayside. Did you resolve to change your maiden name after getting married? That’s one resolution that should be easy to keep and there are many benefits to changing to your married name in the beginning of the year.

Take Advantage of Available Options – Not all states allow all variations of married name change (ex: Ohio doesn’t allow maiden to middle name change). If plan to change your name, the sooner you begin the transition, the more options you’ll have as most states make legislature changes in early spring. It would be terrible to decide upon a specific married last name combination and find out that you missed your chance in your state by a few weeks.

Travel – Thinking about booking a trip for Spring Break or over the summer? Now is the time to apply for a new passport in your married name. The State Department is taking ~5 weeks to issue new passports, and you’ll need your new passport number before you book your flights somewhere warm! The other reason to get a new passport now? You’ll get to keep track of all of your trips as a Mrs. instead of having them split between two books.

Taxes – No one wants to think about taxes, but changing your name in the beginning of the year will make filing taxes under your new name much simpler next year. After working a full year as a Mrs, your accountant will thank you and you won’t have to stress about which amounts were made under which name.

Employment Ease – Employers need to be notified of married name changes and if that notification comes in the new year, odds are in your favor that you’ll get prompt attention from HR, new business cards, email etc before everyone is bogged down with projects. Another pro: you’ll receive credit in your new name. As someone who received a president’s club trophy and trip in a hyphenated name (as HR guessed)…I really wish I had notified them of my new non-hyphenated last name in the New Year!

Now or Never – Name change is one of those life changes that fall into the now or never category. The sooner you start the married name change process the sooner it will be finished and you’ll be an official Mrs. The longer you wait, the more your maiden name gets attached to important things like leases, mortgages, degrees, etc. and the harder it becomes to make the switch to a new last name.

If your New Year’s resolution was to change your name, hopefully these five benefits give you the boost you need to start the process. MissNowMrs is an easy online name change service that will streamline the paperwork and pain from 13 hours into 30 minutes for $29.95. How’s that for a great deal and a way to ensure you check that particular resolution off your list?!

The IRS 8822 Form: To File or Not to File

Do you know about the IRS 8822 form? Newlywed and exploring the idea of name change? Now is the perfect time to make the transition to Mrs.! If you file for your Social Security card and alert the Internal Revenue Service to your new name via the IRS 8822 form prior to December 31st, you can use your new married name on your taxes. No one wants to think about mundane things like taxes in the warm glow of newlywed bliss. But, taxes and impending tax season are a reality.

It’s free to file the IRS 8822 form. So, there is no reason to skip it when you change your name! The form title may read “Change of Address”, but if you read the fine print, it also serves as a notification form for name change. Is filing the IRS 8822 required? No, but we consider it a CYA form. You answer 7 questions and mail the form in, and that will ensure that the IRS knows of your new married name prior to tax season. The alternative is to not file the form and hope the Social Security Administration alerts the IRS to your new name.

If there is any confusion about your name, your tax returns will be held until the IRS sorts out the matter (and we all know how fast government offices are). So, when in doubt, file the free form! If you have questions about how to answer some of the IRS 8822 questions, which are tricky, you can always call or email the MissNowMrs name change experts.

Did you file the IRS 8822 when you changed your name? If you didn’t, did you run into any snafus during tax season? Let us know in a comment!

Mervis Holiday Trunk Show: Engagement Rings, First Holiday Gifts & More

Are you excited for the Mervis holiday trunk show? The holidays are here! Now is the time to start selecting the perfect gifts for your loved ones and possibly hinting to your significant other regarding a few sparkling items that would be a joy to receive. My very first Christmas gift from my husband was a set of solitaire earrings. I remember the surprise and delight as I opened the box and how happy I felt and still feel anytime I wear them.

If you’re unsure what you might want this holiday season…read on for a few ideas whether you’re dating, engaged, newlywed or happily married for years.

Diamonds Make The Perfect Gift! I don’t know a single woman who doesn’t like diamonds, so they are always a spectacular yet safe selection for a holiday gift. Jewelry is highly sentimental gift that will be cherished and quite possibly passed to future generations. Earrings, necklaces, bracelets and rings can all be worn year round and come in every possible style and price point. Finding a reputable jeweler is the key to stress free holiday shopping. Mervis Diamonds is the leading diamond importer in the Washington D.C. area and they strive to deliver the finest quality diamonds at the best possible prices. Pop by their trunk shows December 5-7th to peruse the latest and greatest pieces from over 20 designer collections.

It’s Engagement Season! Did you know that over 40% of engagements happen between now and Valentine’s Day?! If you’re a gentlemen trying to discover the perfect ring for your future bride, a jewelry trunk show is a perfect place to start. You can go under the premise of Hannukkah or Christmas present shopping and then casually ask her opinions on the amazing array of rings displayed at Mervis. She’ll be even less likely to notice your covert operation if you take her for drinks beforehand!

Important Research! Do you think your significant other is thinking about popping the question? If so, it’s high time for you to do a bit of “research” into your perfect ring. Grab a couple of girlfriends and have your fingers sized as you try on different cuts and styles of rings at Mervis. You may love the intricate beauty of Tacori or the simple sophistication of Memoire. Whatever strikes your fancy, you’ll be prepared if a few subtle questions are asked AND your friends will know in case a certain someone turns to them for help.
Commemorate Milestones Romantically! Are you celebrating your first Christmas or Hannukkah as newlyweds or as expectant parents? Diamond jewelry can serve as a timeless reminder of the big moments in life. Every time you wear a particular necklace or earrings you will think of when they were given and the joyous event behind the gift. Firsts are not the only reason for jewelry by any means….you should always celebrate years spent together in any number as well as the joys life holds for you and your family.
There are endless reasons to consider diamond jewelry this season, so RSVPing for the Mervis trunk show is a must!

Kate Spade’s Bridal Shop: For Brides & Newlyweds

We adore Kate Spade…well EVERYTHING, but are especially pleased with her online bridal shop this season! Whether you’re shopping for a rehearsal dress, to-die-for wedding heels or the perfect bridesmaid’s gifts you’re sure to be delighted. The quality of material and attention to detail are what make these items perfect purchases. I particularly like the interior inscriptions on the bracelets. They’re like little secret notes to your friends or yourself.

Attention newlyweds in the midst of making holiday wish lists: there are great gifts in the bridal shop for you too! Celebrate your newlywed status with an “I do” necklace or Mrs. earrings. They’re lovely, whimsical and something you’ll treasure through the years of your marriage. On the decorating side of things, there are fanciful ring holders, his and her highball glasses, and engraved photo frames. While you’re making your list of favorites, you may want to earmark a few items for engagement presents…as New Year’s is right around the corner!
What are your favorite items in the Kate Spade bridal shop? We would love to hear from you in a comment!