So, you just got married (or are getting ready to soon)… congratulations! It is such an exciting time. But, don’t forget about the logistics of getting your name changed if you will be doing so! To make the process simple for you, we have put together this easy-to-follow guide for getting a name change in Maryland after getting married.
Name Change in Maryland After Getting Married
Here are the steps to follow to change your name in Maryland after getting married!
Get marriage license (before wedding)
The first step to getting your name changed comes before you say your vows. You have to get your marriage license! You will get this in the county that you are getting married in (or Baltimore City). You will want to contact the clerk’s office in that county or city. When you fill it out, be sure to include the name that you would like to change yours to on it to make the process easier.
Once you receive the marriage license, you have a six-month window before it expires. Keep that in mind when you are deciding when to go get it before the wedding! After the wedding, your officiant will typically take care of filing it for you.
Change name legally with Social Security Administration
After the wedding, the first step to changing your name will be to go through the Social Security Administration. We recommend giving your local office a call. With COVID, policies have changed a bit, and different offices may require different steps. When I got married during COVID, all I had to do was mail a certified copy of my marriage license, and I received my new social security card in the mail about two weeks later.
Typically, you will have to file in person, and you should be prepared to have your driver’s license, certified copy of your marriage certificate, and birth certificate on hand.
Change name on passport
Once you have your name changed with Social Security, you will want to take care of your passport. This process is the same throughout the country, but will vary person-to-person depending on your circumstances. We recommend visiting the US Department of State website here for details on changing your name based on your own circumstances!
Change name with the Maryland MVA (Motor Vehicle Administration)
Next, you’ll need to change your name on your license. You will need your updated Social Security card for this, and your new passport can act as a form of ID, so be sure to follow these steps in order!
Unfortunately, you do need to do this in-person. The MVA does not offer this service through mail or online. However, it is a fairly simple process as long as you have all of the correct paperwork. Your new license will be mailed to you afterward.
Change name everywhere else
Finally, it’s time to change your name everywhere else! Once you have your new Social Security card, passport, and driver’s license, everything else is simple. Some things to remember to change your name with include:
- Your employer
- Bank and credit card companies
- Mortgage or lease
- Insurance and health care providers
- Paypal/Venmo/Cash app/etc.
- Utilities
- Cell phone
- TV/Internet
- Trash/Recycling
- Car title
- School or student loans
- IRS (optional)
- Vet
- Will or living trust (potentially with parents, too)
- Online subscriptions
- Library card
- Airline miles
- Loyalty cards
- Gym memberships
- Social media accounts
- And more!
There is most likely a lot of things that your name will need to be changed with. But don’t worry — with the exception of your most important items (social security, license, passport, insurance), most of these items can be done over time! However, it’s always a relief to get everything done and over with as soon as possible so that you don’t have to worry about it any longer or have any confusions down the line.