First, Make Sure You Have Your Marriage Certificate
The first thing to do is make sure you have received your original marriage certificate in the mail. (Your officiant will have sent it to the county courthouse after the ceremony.) I also recommend ordering at least two certified copies of your marriage certificate. These are $10 for the first copy and $5 for each additional copy, and they can be ordered through the Georgia Department of Human Resources at http://www.health.state.ga.us/programs/vitalrecords/marriage.asp.

The most important documents to change are your social security card and your driver’s license.

Social Security Card

• Complete form SS-5.
• Collect the original or a certified copy of your marriage certificate and an identity document showing your old name, as well as other identifying information or a recent photo (e.g., your driver’s license).
• Take your completed application and documents to your local Social Security office (alternatively, you can mail the form and certificate to the local office).
• Visit www.socialsecurity.gov for more information.

Your marriage certificate will be returned to you, along with your new Social Security card. Once you complete this step, the Social Security Administration will notify the IRS of your name change. However, you will need to notify your employer of the change.

Driver’s License

• Your driver’s license must be changed in person at a Georgia Department of Driver Services Customer Service Center.
• Per Georgia law, this must be done within 60 days of your marriage.
• Present the original or a certified copy of your marriage certificate.
• Visit www.dds.ga.gov for more information (or search online for your state’s requirements).
  
  

Other Forms and Records
Once you have these two items changed and have received your certified copies of your marriage certificate, you can begin to take care of the rest. Make a personalized list from the following categories, and check the procedure for each one (they will vary).

• Passport (requires a certified copy of your marriage certificate)
• Voter registration
• Employer personnel records and health insurance
• Bank and other financial records
• All bills and creditors and other household records
• Personal memberships and listings
  
  

Contact
For questions about this article, please contact:
Daria MacGregor ~ Circle of Love Weddings ~ 404-513-5037