Just when you think you have everything all sorted out with your wedding plans you remember one detail you overlooked (or keep putting off): changing your last name. Depending on your preference, you can change your last name to your husband's, hyphenate or just keep your maiden name.
Each situation is different but the process of changing your name can take up to 13 hours. The headache of filling out different forms, then mailing those forms and waiting for it to be official is something every bride wants to avoid these days.
If only making it official on Facebook was all you had to do.
But that 13-hour hassle doesn't have to be the bride's headache anymore. A name changing service called MissNowMrs.com has a staff dedicated to easing that pain.
The online service is requires three steps:
1. Questions
After you create your account, you'll go to the Questions Page, where you'll be asked a series of general questions. Based upon your answers, our intuitive service will ask you other questions based upon the requirements of your state of residence and individual situation.
2. Forms
Your answers on the Questions Page will be used to complete the appropriate forms, including Social Security, US Passport, State Driver's License, USPS and State Voter Registration forms, as well as letters to notify your creditors. While all government forms are free, our streamlined auto-population technology and expert advice will save you 13 hours of hassle.
3. File
Once you have proofread your forms, you can click to print each form and its detailed filing instruction sheet. The instruction sheet includes the order of form submission, fees, required filing documents, office locations/addresses, as well as insider tips on easy filing. Have questions? Our name change experts are available to assist you via phone or email.
MissNowMrs.com CEO Danielle Tate also dished some important details to know about finances when it comes to changing your name.
When the guests of your wedding are planning to write you and your fiancé a check for their gift one of the awkward circumstances they face is who to write the check out to.
To ease the stress and avoid any trouble when cashing those checks at the bank you'll want to make sure you set up a joint bank account so that when guests write out their checks it should say "Mr. and Mrs. [last name]".
"If you don't create a joint bank account before the wedding, the guests should be writing checks out to one or the other", Tate explained.
As far as credit reports are concerned you need to be sure to update your new name with TransUnion LLC, Equifax and Experian. If your credit is in good condition then nothing is impacted by the name change. It's important to notify these credit bureaus so that when you go to access your credit they have all your new information, otherwise you will not be permitted to access your credit with your new name if it hasn't been added.
The situation is pretty similar for IRA's.
"You'll need to add each other as beneficiaries, listing the correct names," says Tate.
One thing Tate really stressed was the details of planning the honeymoon. She indicated that you should keep everything as your maiden name. This will avoid any problems you may have at the airport with your passport, if you plan to travel outside of the country.
Tate and her staff service about 210,000 customers, she said.
No matter which step of the process the bride may be on, the 'fairy godmothers' as Tate calls them, are available to chat online or on the phone.
Brides have the option of purchasing the service online or family and friends can even grab gift cards at Rite Aid.
For more details on the name changing service check out their video below: