Not all newlyweds choose to adopt their partner’s last name after tying the knot, but from the moment my husband proposed, I knew I would take his.
To me, there’s something profoundly poetic about our sharing a name.
It’s symbolic of the way our lives are—and always will be—inextricably linked together. Choosing to take his last name is one of the easiest decisions I’ve ever made, second only to the moment I agreed to spend my life by his side.
If only the process of officially changing my name were that straightforward.
Over the past six months, I’ve discovered that, like most bureaucratic endeavors, legally changing your name can be a tedious and frustrating undertaking. The convoluted process requires heaps of paperwork, multiple visits to some of the most joyless places on Earth (I’m looking at you, DMV and Social Security office), and a level of patience I simply don’t possess.
Just thinking about embarking on this unnecessarily complicated journey made my head spin. Although I was eager to share a name with my husband, I was overwhelmed by the mountain of work that lay between me and my new name—until I discovered NewlyNamed, a personalized name-changing service that would guide me step-by-step through the daunting process.
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Designed to take the stress out of legally changing your name, this name-change kit comes with all the necessary forms and an itemized checklist. It’s also available in a cheaper print-it-yourself version.
I came across NewlyNamed via Instagram when a friend from college posted a photo of a bespoke box with the question “Ready for your new name?” emblazoned on it. I immediately went to the company’s website, my interest piqued.
I discovered that NewlyNamed kits include all the federal and state applications you need to make your new name official, from Social Security and passport forms to the paperwork required for voter registration, vehicle title changes, and TSA PreCheck updates.
You can opt for either the comprehensive NewlyNamed Box ($90), which arrives at your doorstep complete with printed name-change forms and pre-stamped envelopes, or the Print at Home kit ($40), which provides the same forms as digital downloads for you to print yourself.
I added the box to my wedding registry, planning to buy it for myself if no one else did. Luckily, a friend of mine gifted the kit to me, and I appreciated that NewlyNamed didn’t require her to guess what paperwork I needed. Instead, I received a gift card for the cost of the service so that I could customize the box and order it myself.
I filled out a questionnaire, selecting my state and providing personal details that NewlyNamed used to prefill some of the applications. I even got to choose the color of my box, a nice touch that made me more excited about the process.
When my kit arrived in the mail, I tore into it with gusto. Inside, I found my personalized name-change checklist, several prepaid envelopes, and a neatly organized folder filled with stacks of paperwork divided by task. Each section came with clear, step-by-step instructions on how to complete and file each form, starting with how to get my hands on a new Social Security card. It was a relief to see such straightforward directions laid out, making the path to my new name far less intimidating.
With renewed determination, I tackled my name-change checklist in chunks, reveling in satisfaction each time I checked off an item. I filled out forms until my hand cramped, used precious PTO for days at the DMV and Social Security office, and muscled my way through the tedious task of updating every online account I had. I clung to my NewlyNamed folder like a lifeline throughout the process, reading through the instructional materials whenever I was overwhelmed by the administrative tasks in front of me, which was often.
Even with all of NewlyNamed’s assistance, working my way through the checklist took me months. Technically, I’m still not finished—I need to renew my passport, which I’ve been procrastinating on since I have no imminent travel plans. But without the NewlyNamed kit, I wouldn’t have even known where to start.
This article was edited by Megan Beauchamp and Catherine Kast.
