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Unfortunately, it's pretty difficult to change your name without a marriage license. In Washington at least, you need to have a certified copy of your marriage certificate, which is only available about a week after you're officient has submitted it to the registrar, in order to get your drivers license or any other official document. My bank wouldn't change my name without my marriage certificate either, even though I had my license. My credit cards were a piece of cake- it was done over the phone, but what good are your credit cards without the matching ID? There are some things you can do before hand though... print out everything that you'll need to change it officially, and fill them out and put them in a "Name Change" folder. That way, as SOON as you can, you'll be able to pop down to the DMV or where ever you need to go and get it done!
It would be easier to just wait. You have waited this long, whats a couple more months. I know it sucks, but it will be a lot less dificult after the wedding. I know in Missouri if you have your marriage liscense or divorce papers then that is all you need to change it legally. But if you want to change it withouth one of those documents then you have to petition the court for a court document allowing you to change your name. So you would probably have to take care of court costs for a piece of paper.
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Make sure you have the originals of your current social security card and a current driver's license or picture ID. You can't get your name changed without them either!
Thanks for the advice. I knew all along I needed a license before I can do anything so I was not going to do anything before that, but we are getting that in about a week or so, so thats more along what I meant. Just reading some places need the paperwork from the officiant and not just the license.
Have your marriage certificate in hand. Most places want to see the original, not a copy. You should probably change your driver license first since most places will want to see an ID. The Social Security Administration should be second on your list, since neglecting that one can lead to a lot of confusion. From there contact your banks, financial institutions, insurance companies and creditors.
Don't forget to change your beneficiary information while your are changing your name.
Actually many if not most DMVs won't change your license without seeing a changed Social Security card first. So the first stop is usually the SSA. Go online to your state's DMV website to see what their requirements say.
Bear, even though you're getting your license in a few weeks, I believe it has to actually be signed and filed with the state by the officiant before it becomes valid. So, for example, in the state of Pennsylvania, we could go get our marriage license up to 60 days prior to our marriage, but it wasn't valid until our officiant signed and filed it with the state (which he had to do within 10 days of the actual wedding date).
I hope that helps, and enjoy your new name!
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I am doing my best to research all of this information from blogs, to the boards, to my state department, but it is all so confusing. I guess for me, I can not wait to change my name, been wanting to change it since I was extremely young and found out the deal with my father, no need to get into that, but I am not nor have I ever, been proud of my name. Thats why I am a little anxious and was wondering if there is anything I can before our wedding to help with the process? I really dont want to wait months to get my name changed even though in my heart it will be, but legally, I am a little impatient! Any advice?