Q. What’s the best way to go about changing your name in Oregon?
A. Changing your name in Oregon is actually pretty easy considering what a huge life change it represents. Just follow a series of about six steps, make brief trips to the social security office, post office and DMV, and you’re done. You can make most of the changes yourself by mail or online, so the process won’t interfere with your wedded bliss.
First, you’ll need your marriage certificate before you can begin. Once you have that proof of your new name, the first thing we recommend changing is your social security record. To do that, fill out an SS-5 form (you can download it online at www.ssa.gov) and either mail it or take it to your local Social Security office. The process is free and simple, and all you need is the marriage certificate and proof of your identity and U.S. citizenship, like a driver’s license or passport.
Once your Social Security record is changed, the IRS is notified automatically within 10 days, so don’t worry about calling the tax man. Instead, the next step is changing your driver’s license and car registration, which you can do with one trip to the DMV. Here’s what you need to bring: the same proof of identity you used to fill out your Social Security forms; your birth certificate; your marriage certificate; a piece of mail that has your current address on it, and $25.50 (the price of getting a new license issued. Have you ever visited a DMV without paying a fee?).
Next up, you’ll need to change your passport. Unless of course you’re leaving the country for your honeymoon, in which case you should wait until you return to change all your paperwork at once so your IDs will match. To change your passport, fill out the appropriate form at https://pptform.state.gov and mail it or bring it to the nearest passport office. The online instructions are really easy!
OK, you’re almost done. Now change your voter registration at www.rockthevote.com, print it and mail it in. Let your employer’s payroll office know, as well as the bank. And finally, if you’re planning to move once married, let the post office know by filling out a change of address form at moversguide.usps.com.
Easy, peasy right? Just kidding! It’s complicated, but if you do want to make it easier, many companies sell wedding name change packets for around $20 that contain all the above forms and instructions for where to send everything. You can find these at most big book stores or online at kitbiz.com