Page 59 - Real Weddings

THE JOURNEY
Just because you’ve said “I do” doesn’t mean the checklists stop there. More than likely, you have already changed your name on your social-media sites, but there are still a myriad of things to do to make things of cial once you’ve become Mr. and Mrs. Below is a simple guide to help you with changing your name, as well as a list of other tasks that should not be forgotten after the big day has come and gone.
MAKE IT OFFICIAL
Step 1
Update Social Security card
In order to make your last-name change legal, you will have to get a new Social Security card. Before visiting your nearest Social Security of ce, make sure to have the following original documents in hand:
❑ Official marriage license ❑ Driver’s license or passport ❑ Birth certificate ❑ Original Social Security card
• Make sure to print and fill out the application for a new Social Security card before you arrive. You can find the application here: https://www.ssa.gov/forms.
• To find your closest Social Security office, visit https:// secure.ssa.gov/.
• You can also mail your documents if you choose. Keep in mind that you will have to send in the original documents, all of which will be mailed back to you. Your new Social Security card will be mailed to your address.
OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER:
DRIVER’S LICENSE Step 2 Update driver’s license
NOTE: You will not be able to get a new driver’s license until you get your updated Social Security card in the mail. However, once you have received it, take the following documents to your local revenue of ce:
❑ Official marriage license ❑ Current driver’s license ❑ New Social Security card
• To find your nearest Arkansas revenue office, visit http:// www.dfa.arkansas.gov.
• Don’t forget to update your address if it has changed, and be photo ready, as you will be required to take a new picture for your new driver’s license.
DON’T FORGET TO CHANGE YOUR NAME ON:
❑ Send your wedding announcement to the newspaper. ❑ Write thank-you notes. Hand-write each note,
❑ Automobile registration
❑ Bank accounts
❑ Credit cards
❑ Doctor and dental records
❑ Health, dental, life and auto insurance
❑ IRS documents
❑ Investment accounts ❑ Memberships
❑ Mortgages
❑ Passport
❑ Address change card at the U.S. post office
❑ Utility bills
personalizing it by mentioning the gift and how you will use it. Thank-you notes should be sent within a month of the wedding.
❑ Take your gown to a professional cleaner to have it dry- cleaned and preserved. This should be done within one to six months after your wedding.
❑ Pay wedding and reception invoices. ❑ Return borrowed items.
While you’re at the revenue o ce, take a moment to change your VOTER REGISTRATION info!
T I P
“Hire professionals. The cake, food, decorations — hire someone who knows what they’re doing. If you have professionals, you have a nished look you’re going for, you have a goal, and you have a theme and a design that you’re aiming for — that person’s going to complete it.”
— Christen Byrd, JUST PEACHY/LOBLOLLY CREAMERY
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