These days more and more women are choosing not to change their last name after they get married.  Even though this may seem as an outdated tradition there are still numerous women who maintain the tradition.   

What many married couples don't realize is how many documents need to be changed once the bride decides to change her last name.  Bank accounts, credit cards, social security, driver's license, state issued identification card, passport, etc. are some of the documents that need to be changed.  But each document has a procedure that must be followed in order for the last name to be changed.  

Below is a list of the most common documents that need to be updated with a new last name after marriage.

Step 1. 

Obtain a final copy of the marriage license that was recorded by the County Clerk (DO THIS FIRST!).  

In Florida after the marriage license is signed by an official, it is then sent back to the County Clerk The county will normally mail a certified copy of the marriage license to the couple.  Please note this is important.  In order to change the last name on numerous documents, this is one step that can not be avoided and this is a step that MUST be completed. 

If you need more information on how to obtain the marriage license, please read my "Guide to Getting Married in Florida".  

Step 2. 

Update name with Social Security (DO THIS SECOND!).  

This is a step that can not be avoided.  Most of the documents that you will read about later in this blog will require you to have an updated Social Security card with your new last name.  

To change your name on your Social Security card you can any of the following:  

1. You can fill out the form and either mail it or drop it off at the nearest Social Security office: https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ss-5.pdf

2. You can go to the Social Security's website and change your last name via their online platform mySocialSecurity:  https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/.  Please note to do this you need to create an account.  

3. Or, you can go to a local Social Security office in person.  You’ll need to google “Social Security Office near me”.  Again you will need to find out which documents you will need to bring with you to change your name on your social security card.   

Below is a list of documents that you normally need to change your last name on your Social Security card (please note, some of these documents are only required if the primary documentation is not available):

• Official and Certified copy of your Marriage License...this is the copy that the County Clerk will mail to you.

• Birth Certificate

• U.S. Passport

• U.S. Driver’s License

• State Issued Identification Card

• Employee Identification Card (*alternative form of identification)

• School Identification Card (*alternative form of identification)

• Health Insurance Card (*alternative form of identification)

• U.S. Military Identification Card (*alternative form of identification)

After you complete Steps 1 and 2 then you can work on changing your last name on the other documents.  

Below is a list of typical documents that you will need to change your name on. 

• UPDATE NAME ON DRIVER'S LICENSE OR STATE ISSUED IDENTIFICATION CARD.

All name changes must be completed or performed at the local Florida DMV office.  

Please google “DMV office near me” to find a location nearest you.  

Depending on your current citizenship status, you will be required to bring certain documents in order to fill out the form to change your name. 

Click on one of the links below to find out the documentation that you will need to bring to the DMV:

• U.S. Citizen

• Immigrant

• Canadian

• Non-Immigrant 

• UPDATE NAME ON VEHICLE REGISTRATION AND VEHICLE TITLE.

By updating your name on your driver’s license, the new name will automatically update on your electronic title, however, a printed title will still reflect your previous name until a new title is applied for using an Application for Certificate of Title With/Without Registration (HSMV form 82040).  

If there is a lien on a paper title, the lienholder may not allow a new title to be printed. It is permissible to leave the amended name unchanged on the printed title because the department’s vehicle ownership record will be updated when you update your driver information.

Once a name has been changed, a new registration must be issued reflecting the new name by submitting a completed Application For Duplicate or Lost in Transit/Reassignment for a Motor Vehicle, Mobile Home or Vessel Title Certificate (HSMV form 82101).

• UPDATE NAME ON PASSPORT

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/have-passport/change-correct.html

  Click the link above and then click on “Change Your Name”.  

Then select the box that fits your current situation with your passport.  

Based on your selection you will either need to fill out form:  

• Form DS-5504 - this form is used if you are requesting a change after having the passport for LESS than 1 year. 

• Form DS-82 - this form is used if you are requesting a change after having the passport for MORE than 1 year. 

• UPDATE NAME ON BANK ACCOUNT, CREDIT CARDS, AND DEBIT CARDS

You will need to contact your bank and credit/ debit card institutions and notify the that you have gotten married and that your last name needs to change.  

You may have to provide your Marriage License and/ or Driver’s License.  Make sure to call and find out the necessary documentation that you will need to bring or mail to your institution to change your name. 

• UPDATE NAME ON VOTER'S REGISTRATION

If you are already registered as a voter in Florida you can update/ change your name in a few ways: 

a. Login to RegisterToVoteFlorida.gov and update name.  

b. Contact any Florida Voter Registration agency and request to have your name changed:  https://dos.myflorida.com/elections/for-voters/voter-registration/national-voter-registration-act/

c. Download the application form that allows you to update your information, fill it out, and take the form to the Voter Registration Agency: 

• Florida Voter Registration Application - English 

• Florida Voter Registration Application-Spanish/ Espanol

d. You can also contact your Supervisor of Elections

• UPDATE NAME ON HEALTHCARE INSURANCE

• If you have healthcare insurance with the Affordable Care Act and get your healthcare insurance through the marketplace, to change your name please click the link below: 

  https://www.healthcare.gov/reporting-changes/how-to-report-changes/

• If you have healthcare insurance through your Employer or any other means NOT related to the Affordable Care Act or The marketplace, please contact your healthcare insurance provider and notify them of your name change and request to have your name change on their records.  

• UPDATE NAME ON LEASE AGREEMENT

Contact your leasing management company and notify them that you have gotten married and need to have your last name changed.  

You may have to sign or fill out a lease amendment in order change your last name on the agreement.

• UPDATE NAME ON MORTGAGE AND DEED

  1. 1. Contact your mortgage lender and inform them that you are married and changed your name, and find out the process of changing your last name. 

     2. A new deed must be filed with the local clerk of court's office in order to change the name on a Florida deed, no matter the circumstances leading to the change.

It is best to consult a Real Estate Attorney and find out the proper procedure and documents required to change your name on the deed or mortgage.  

• UPDATE NAME ON VEHICLE INSURANCE

Contact your vehicle’s insurance company and notify them that you have gotten married and that you need to have your last name changed on their records.   

• UPDATE NAME ON UTILITY ACCOUNTS

If you use Florida Power and Light (FPL) for your utility service, click on the link below to change your name.

https://www.fpl.com/account/name-change.html

If you use another utility service provider, contact that service provider and notify them of your name change and ask what is required to change your name on the account.  

• UPDATE NAME WITH EMPLOYER

Contact your current employer and notify them that your name has changed, and request to have your name updated in the system.  

• UPDATE NAME ON IMMIGRATION DOCUMENTS

If you’ve recently changed your name, you can submit your legal name change document (i.e.: marriage certificate, divorce decree, etc.) along with your: Form N-400, Application for Naturalization.

• UPDATE NAME AT YOUR DOCTOR'S OFFICE

Contact Doctor’s offices and notify them that your name has changed and request that they change their records.

• UPDATE NAME ON EMAIL AND SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS

******BELOW IS A CHECKLIST OF THE DOCUMENTS THAT YOU SHOULD HAVE YOUR LAST NAME CHANGED ON THAT YOU CAN DOWNLOAD******