You've said your vows and now you're ready for that exotic honeymoon. Don't fly off into the sunset together without reading this.
By: Sherri EisenbergPassport
Unfortunately, this takes a bit longer than the license change. You must mail your old passport, your original marriage certificate, and a completed request form to the U.S. State Department’s Passport
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Official New Bride |
Center in Charleston, South Carolina, where your new name will be stamped onto the last page of your passport. Ordinarily, your passport is returned to you in about six weeks. However, you can get it back within a week if you ship your packet using two-day service, include a check for $60 and pre-pay to have your package returned to you by two-day service. Go to the State Department’s website (travel.state.gov/name_change.html) for the address, downloadable forms and more information.
Credit Cards
Many airlines have begun using electronic check-in: You arrive at the airport and check yourself in on a computer, tagging your own bags and confirming your own seat assignment. It's fast, easy and a wonderful convenience. The only problem is, you have to use a credit card as your identification—and the name on it must match the one on your plane ticket. Another good reason to amend your card: fewer hassles when you're checking into your hotel.
Frequent Flyer Accounts
If you want to get credit for your flights, you'll need to have your name changed on your frequent flyer account. Mail a photocopy of your marriage license to the airline (you can get the address at its website), and be sure to include your member number and a photocopy of the travel itinerary listing the flights you took on your honeymoon so that you can be credited retroactively. Now, you can start saving up miles for your anniversary trip!
Social Security Card
There's only one thing left to do, though it has no travel implications: After you've advised your employer of your name change, you'll want to notify the Social Security Administration as well so that your earnings will be properly recorded. You'll need to appear in person with a photo ID and your marriage license at a local Social Security office. Go to the Social Security Administration's website at socialsecurity.gov for downloadable forms and a list of regional offices by zip code. Changing your name is free, but the lines can be long, so be sure to set aside some time for this one.
