From Miss to Mrs: Things No One Tells You About Changing Your Name

Indian weddings are full of funny and eye-popping traditions. It doesn’t just stop at changing your surname. In some Indian weddings, the bride even changes her first name! Changing your name during the pooja is the simple part. Here's what happens after all the paperwork has been filed away. There are some truths you just don't find out until you've done it!

Image Source via Mir Anwar

 

You may be flipping through your wedding album before you have a new passport.

Changing your name is a marathon, not a sprint. Some things will be as easy as filing an online request while others will require the patience of a patron saint. It's best to be over-prepared—keep a file of important documents (Extra passport size pictures, glue and such things) at the ready and tote it along on each name-changing adventure.

Don’t throw you wedding card away!

Yes, your wedding pictures and wedding card acts as a proof before you register any kind of application.

Your marriage certificate will get more views than a viral YouTube video.

Basically everyone will want to see a copy of it before making any changes to your official name. Do yourself a favour and request the registrar for extra copies (They come at a minimal extra cost) and make lots of Xerox copies in case you need to hand in at certain places like banks. You may want to keep a copy on you at all times because the second you leave it at home, someone will inevitably want to see it. Trust me.

Your new signature will look kid-ish.

We know, we know- you’ve finally made your signature perfect and now you will have to change it. Practise it a few (hundred!) times before you make the official change. If you are more comfortable with your original one, just try and change it as minimally required.

Image Source via The Wedding Salad★ 4.9

Your identity will be questioned.

At times you will have a credit card and drivers licence with two different names because hello – Its India and not everything works like clockwork. So people might look at you a little suspiciously. Don’t fret, just tell them that you are newly married and if the problem, still persists you can always show them a picture of you being married!

You may forget your name!

It will take some time before you get used to hearing your new last name. You may sit in your doctor's office waiting room or anywhere else for that matter. Don't worry—you'll adjust before your next checkup!

You need to go shopping!!

This is one of the "perks" of all the paper pushing—you'll have a new monogram! This means out with the old and in with the new tote bags, jewellery, stationery, luggage tags, towels—you get the idea. Word to the wise: Before you start stamping your initials on everything, make sure they work together. If your new letters leave you with something like TIT or FAT, opt for a two-letter monogram or use your new last initial on its own.

You may lose your frequent-flyer miles.

Okay, not really. There are so many things you absolutely must change, from bank accounts to government issued IDs, that when you get to the "other" stuff, you're exhausted. Depending on the airline, you may have to place a phone call or send them copies of every piece of said government-issued identification (oh, and your marriage certificate) in order to have those miles converted to the new you. Tired yet?

Image Source via Karan Sidhu Photography★ 5

Many brides have this question: How do you ACTUALLY change your name in India? Here’s a quick breakdown.

1. The first and foremost step that is required is to obtain a marriage certificate. Now, this differs in each state across India and you need to follow the formalities as per the state you are residing in. The certificate would be obtained anywhere between 7 days to 3 months from applying.
2. Once the marriage certificate is obtained, then you need to apply for a name change at the office of the State Government Gazette. They would include your name change and make it official through announcements through local newspapers. A copy of this advertisement could serve as a legal document for a name change.
3. Alternatively, if you do not wish to follow this process, a Joint notarized affidavit from a public notary would suffice the purpose.
4. Once this is done, then with these documents you need to make the necessary changes in your other documents which include PAN Card, Bank Documents, Passport, Driving license, Loans, Insurance etc.
5. Also make necessary information’s at the Local municipality authority, residential society, children’s school and other places that needs to be updated.