Ladies, after the I do’s I could not wait to change my name - legally!  I felt like I was waiting forever, but our marriage license finally arrived a month later.   I could not wait to tell the world and too finally see my new name in print. 

Besides monogramming your towels you should also inform certain agencies…but who should be first?  Good ones to start with are the DMV and the Social Security Administration, because once your new driver’s license and social security card are in hand, changing the rest of your records will be easy. Then move on to:

• Credit Card Agenices 
• IRS 
• Utility companies 
• Your employer
• The post office
• Bank(s)
• stocks/bonds/mutual funds
• retirement plans
• real estate
• professional associations
• The Registrar of Voters 
• car registration
• house, car and life insurance
• your will
• other people’s wills
• Your Doctor(s)
• your lawyer
• powers of attorney
• trusts
• contracts
• frequent flyer programs
• welfare office
• veteran’s administration
• Passport
• and of course everyone you might run into

Also, do not immediately throw away your old identification..not only to reminisce, but it may be necessary to prove who you once were. Some IDs, like your passport, may carry an A.K.A. (”also known as”), so you’re not completely free of your original name.