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They didn't even ask to see my ID. I was really surprised by that. Marriage certificate only. I had my passport, license, and SS card ready to go but...nope! Blah, I didn't know that about the IRS. I'll have to look into that next.
I was told by the SSA clerk last week that they update the IRS. The IRS verifies your name change with the SSA when you submit your taxes. I filed my taxes under my newlastname but SSA had my oldname on file, so my taxes were put on a freeze. I don't think you have to notify the IRS by calling them, you just submit your taxes under your new name next year.
EDIT: I did call the SSA office & they verified this. I also called the IRS 3 times this month & had mailed them a letter along with my taxes with my marriage certificate & they didn't use that as legal documentation, all they do is verify your new name thru SSA.
@serabell: Thanks! I don't know what was up with the clerk I asked... do you happen to know what happens with the whole W-4 form thing at work? Does IRS need to know that I've changed my name before I change my withholdings?
Nope, you just tell SSA & then tell your employer. You'll have to fill out a new W4 form, to change your filing number & your name. I've been told that by 2 people & online. I'm not an accountant, but I've been dealing with this all month.
I have a question for those who have already changed their names with the SSA. Did your marriage license include your married name? If not, did you need to do anything in addition to showing your marriage license (at the SSA) in order to change your name?
Yes, your marriage license will show your new name. I don't have it with me to double check thou, but the court house (where I applied to get my marriage license) had me chose my new name when I got the license.
At SSA: Bring your driver's license & birth certificate or passport. You need to prove who you are to SSA. Bring a CERTIFIED copy of your marriage license to SSA. I brought in a copy of mine & then I had to go order a certified copy for them to accept it. The looked it over, I told them why I was changing my name (got married) & showed them the marriage license. They updated my files & said it would be 2 weeks for me to get my new card.
EDIT: Ya know, your new name might not be on the marriage license. I remember I had to tell the court clerk what my new name would be before I got my license. SSA lets you change your last name to the person you got married to's. You can't change your first name. You can change your middle name if you want. It is EXTREMELY important you update SSA before you do your taxes. I learned that the hard way :/.
My marriage license does not show my new name. I think it just depends where you get married. I am trying figure out if this is going to end up requiring a court-ordered name change.
I still haven't done this. Its such an inconvenience to take the time off, and I hate the neighborhood, the parking is ridiculous. But, I have to suck it up and do it!
@tnason - you won't need a court-ordered name change. SSA has rules, such as, they can change your name if you got married, but only your last name, so long as you have a marriage license. I wanted to change my 1st name, but that would have to be court-ordered. If I didn't get married & just wanted to change my last name, that would have to be court-ordered. Marriage is like a "SSA ok to change your last name" card.
@jennifer espos - I think you MIGHT be able to do it online? Not sure. You probably have to go in but SSA does have a website. You should be ok not updating SSA for now, as long as you do it BEFORE you file your taxes. It caused my taxes to be delayed at least 30 days PLUS because of this confusion, I'm being audited. Just make sure you have everything you need. I waited there 40 minutes, got called up & was told I needed a 'certified' copy of my marriage license, so I had to go order one & go back & wait in line another 30 min. Not fun at all.
omg for me this was the biggest hassle in the world. I actually wrote a multi part saga about it on my blog! It took months because I am canadian and I didn't change my greencard first and it took 2 visits to convince them they could do it, then another 2 to find an employee who knew how! It was so much drama.
Anyone know how it works if your groom is changing his name as well? Does SSA give them a free-pass for getting married too? Or are we still systematically biased?
I think they were wrong by telling you that the IRS won't be notified:
http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=105969,00.html
You will go ahead and change your name at your work which will also let them know about the name change for your SSN.
@tnason: My marriage license didn't have my new last name but they saw my husband's on there so I was able to change my name with that.
I think the groom MIGHT be able to change his last name to yours instead of you changing to his? I don't remember, you should go to your local court house (or where you apply for the marriage license) & they can tell you everything there :).
Ugh, I have been dreading doing this, partly because I have a Tennessee driver's license and am now living in Maryland, and I am afraid that might complicate it, but I'm not sure.
@jennifer_espos: You can do it via mail but you need to send in certified copies of your proof of identity, which they claim will be returned to you but I'm not sure if you can count on that.
@tnason: I believe that men have to get a court order to change their names even right after a marriage.
@daniellemybelle: I don't think it matters where your license is from - they only look at it to prove that you are who you say you are.
@daniellemybelle: I've been living in Texas for six years now and had been holding my Hawaii driver's license the entire time. After we got married, I went down the SSA and brought the marriage license and my out-of-state license -- the person I talked to didn't have a problem with it being out-of-state, though I did bring my passport just in case. She didn't ask to see it.
My marriage license does not have my new married name on it, just my full maiden name, and then a decree at the end announcing "Mr. and Mrs. Hisname Hislastname."
On a slightly related note, does anyone know whether I need to contact a past employer (from this year, but I stopped working for them a month before the wedding) about my name change?
@daniellemybelle: I wouldn't worry about it. I didn't renew my license in CO because we were moving so I took my old license, marriage license and SSN card to the DMV here in AL and they were fine with the name change.
@asdionis: You don't have to contact your old employer. Your maiden name will still be under your SSN so it's okay if the W-2 doesn't match the return you file. I didn't change my name at my old job last year and my taxes were fine.
If anyone needs help with changing your name with SSA or information, please message me. I've worked there for years and been through the name change process personally. The rule is you need:
A copy of your marriage license with a raised seal on it (you'll probably have to buy this from the state after your marriage license has been filed)
Photo ID with your maiden (or previous) name on it
The IRS and SSA do definitely work together. If you file your taxes under your married name and haven't shanged it with SSA, the IRS will withold your refund until you make them match. Changing your name with SSA will be all the action it takes to rectify the problem. The IRS will be automatically notified of the name change. You do not need to take any seperate action with the IRS.
wow, that's a short wait! i used to go to ss with clients all the time when i was a case manager, so i knew that it would be a long wait for me. i've sat there for many hours, pretty much every time i've gone. i went an hour before it opened and was still 4th in line. i guess it depends where you live.
I went to the office in the nearest city, which is aklso the state capital and had to wait to see someone for almost 2 hours. But the actual process took less than 10 minutes. I made my "maiden" name my middle name, as all my degrees are in that name.
@jennifer_espos: You can fill out the form and mail it to the SSA with a copy (real copy not a photo copy) of your marriage license and your old card. They will mail them back to you with your new card. No need to wait in line!
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This morning I finally submitted my application to change my name on my Social Security Card! I thought it might be helpful to share my experience so others know what to expect:
First off, a little background: I am a U.S. citizen (that part makes it really easy) but I was a little concerned as I have two middle names, only one of which is on my current SS card, but both of which are on my birth certificate. My driver's license and work documents use both middle names as well. I am changing my name from Firstname Middlename1 Middlename2 Lastname to Firstname Middlename2 Newlastname.
Now the steps I took: I filled out and printed off the application online and brought it to the nearest Social Security Administration (SSA) office, which conveniently happens to be two blocks from my office! I went at about 10:30am and there was only a 5 minute wait. The clerk asked for my marriage certificate, driver's license, and application. THAT'S IT. I had also brought my old SS card and my birth certificate but he didn't need either. A few minutes later, he processed my application and I was done! My new card will arrive in 7-10 days.
Oh by the way, I had read in a few places that SSA will notify IRS of your name change. The clerk told me that is NOT true - I will have to notify them myself. Boo. :(