Again, something the women are left to handle probably because men are clueless and impatient. (Can you tell married life is affecting me a little?) Just kidding...
Anyway, I have seen media advertisements for a web site called http://www.missnowmrs.com/ and thought I'd give it a whack. Here's my review:
Photos Courtesty: MissnowMrs.com
1) It was extremely simple to register for.
2) It only costs $29.95 (which I think is unnecessary), however, if you are smart and do a google search, you can find coupon codes. I used the following one: BRAVO10 for $10.00 off! You can even give gift certificates as bridal shower gifts for the service!
3) It was extremely easy to complete the information online. The only things I needed to gather were like my parents names, birth cities and social security numbers for applying for a new social security card.
4) They give you good instructions. Fairly simple to understand.
* They let you know that you should start the entire process by first obtaining a certified copy of your marriage license (usually available within 4-8 weeks after your wedding date). Mine cost $14 to pick up in person.
* You should then handle the name change paperwork with the local Social Security office. I went in person and was out of there in less than 10 minutes! Super easy.
* Then you have to wait at least 48 hours to go to the DMV to apply for your new driver's license.
The social security change is most important because all the other agencies/companies will be looking up your new name with your SS number. The driver's license is important because it allows you to have picture ID to get everything handled with banks and such.
5) Simple step by step fill in the blank process and nav bar menu on the left allows you to skip through different forms and parts. You can save your info and come back to it at any time.
6) Easy to view documents before you print them out and prints instructions from major government agencies with the paperwork for you to take with you or use to complete mailing.
8) Also has form letters for notifying banks, credit card companies, utility companies, insurance companies, professional licenses/organizations, mortgage, medical and investment companies, etc of your new name and address.
It even reminded me after a week or two that I had started the process and not yet completed it when I took a break for a while!
So far, I have been really happy with it. The fact that I didn't have to go visit 5-10 different government sites was time saving enough for it to be worth the $20.00 to me. Though I don't know that it will be very useful for the notification letter part. Though I intend to use it for a few of those things, it seems a little more tedious for that part of the process because you have to add in the names and addresses of all of those companies in order for it to generate the form letter for you. I'm too lazy right now to get all that paperwork out and sorted to complete that part. So for now, I've only completed all the government paperwork.
The only bummer about the process so far for me is that California does not let you download or apply online for the new driver's license. They use specific pre-printed forms that are only available by visiting the DMV or ordering it to be delivered in the mail. So I am waiting for that to arrive and then once I get it, I'll have to manually fill it out and take it in to the DMV. Then once that is done, I'll start mailing off the rest of my government forms and handle the passport photo taking, etc.
So, what about you girls? Any of you used Miss Now Mrs or another service like this? Any thoughts, suggestions?
Disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with this company, organization or site, nor have I been approached, asked or compensated for the information or opinions shared in this post.
8 comments:
Its such a palava this whole name change thing eh!
We dont have site like that over here so its just up to you to get on with it if you want.
So far I have changed my bank account and the various cards that go along with that and I just changed my name with the Architects board to use at work but thats it so far!
I had to wait to get the driving licence form too and now have it but since you have to send your full licence and a proper copy of our marriage certificate, I keep putting it off; must get it done!
As for my passport, not sure what im doing about that yet as we have flights booked in the summer to Italy in my old name so I will either have to wait till after that or just wait till it runs out but would I really remember to keep booking in my old name!
p.s I have chosen to keep my old maided name as a 2nd middle name which is NOT common over here and I confused the bank teller!
I signed up with that site as well and I already printed off the SSN form. I'm just now waiting to receive my certified copies of my marriage license so I can finish the first step.
The thing that sucks is that I JUST had to renew my license a month ago b/c it was about to expire and now I'm going to have to go back to the DMV to get a new license with my name changed. Oh well. I guess it's worth it ;-)
Ugh, I feel your pain on the drivers' license thing. My purse was stolen a few weeks ago while I was at a bar with some girlfriends, so I had to get up at the crack of dawn the following Monday and wait in that horrid DMV line to get a new license. You are smart to have the form mailed to you first. That will save you a ton of time.
This is good to know! I'm changing my name and I'm not looking forward to the process of doing so. I wish it could be a lot simpler!
I'm definitely going to use this site, especially now after reading a positive review from a woman I *know* tells it like it is. Thanks for the review!
Congratulations on officially becoming Mrs. Beever! I just got back from my honeymoon, and am going to wait a couple weeks before starting the name-change process through Name Change Express. I won a free service from them last fall, and I’m hoping it will simplify the process. But right now, I’m just trying to catch my breath! There’s so much to catch up on!
Copy away! Glad you liked the post. :)
I changed my name with the DMV the same day as the Social Security office, and had no problem. To update your voter registration is just checking another box on the driver's license form, and the SS office should notify the IRS--you don't have to do it yourself.
Only 2 of 7 banks that I mailed my name-change information to actually changed my name--I ended up having to call/visit the rest (and I had to call for all of the credit cards to be sent).
If Miss Now Mrs. saved me time in line or made my passport application any easier (freaking passport agency MESSED UP--I made a mistake, and they were so not on top of things that they actually issued me a passport that isn't in my legal name... WTF? I could have put any name I wanted and got a new passport in that name??? Someone was sleeping on the job!!), it would be worth it, but since I had to wait in line at the SSO and the DMV anyway and had to make all those other phone calls, I'm not really sure it's necessary!
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