How to Change Your Name After Marriage in Florida

It is traditional for the wife to take the husband’s last name.  Whether the wife takes hers, or both make a decision to hyphenate, is a individual's choice. Below we have provided you with the necessary guidelines to follow to ensure the name change process is successful and headache free.

Guidelines:

1. Order extra certified copies of your marriage certificate for agencies that require originals before allowing you to change your name on documents, such as the department of motor vehicles.

2. Change your name on your driver’s license first then your Social Security card. It will be easier to change your record with many places using a license or Social Security card.

3. Request a new Social Security card reflecting the name change.  Call the Social Security Administration at (800) 772-1213 to obtain forms and instructions.

4. Obtain and complete a Passport Amendment/Validation Application.  Send this along with appropriate fees, your current passport, and a certified documentation of your name change (such as a certified copy of a marriage certificate or court papers) to the nearest passport agency.

5. Change your name on your car registration, with your insurance and mortgage companies.

6. Order replacements for checks, business cards, credit cards and other documents that contain your old name.

7. Contact the post office, utility companies and registrar of voters of your name change.

Additional legal documents that should be changed:

• Will
• Health Care Proxy
• Living Will
• Trust
• Power of Attorney
• Contract
• Real Estate
• Business