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View Full Version : Got married in Jamaica. Need help about changing name etc..


Skwerl
11-23-2006, 04:00 PM
Hi everyone,
We just got married in Jamaica this month of November. After the ceremony we had to sign some paperwork and the officiant had me (the female) sign the paper with my maiden name. We then got that paper to take home with us but were informed that the original certified copies wouldn't be sent for 4-8 months! I took the paper that we got down to the Social Security office to change my name but they would not accept it because it didn't have the government seal on it. They said that they could only change my name once they saw the certified marriage certificate with the raised seal. So what do I do now? Do I sit and wait 4-8 months to get the certificates and just not do a thing? My employer wants to do the paperwork to get my name changed but if Social Security won't allow me to change it I feel that it wouldn't pay to try and get it changed elsewhere. What about tax time that is coming up? Also, health insurance needs to see proof of marriage within 30 days in order to cover me under his insurance as a spouse. Well how can we send them proof of marriage when the certificates won't get here for 4-8 months? I am very confused about all of this. I don't know what to do. I don't even know if they kept my maiden name or husbands name on the certified certificates either because like I said the officiant had me sign the paper with my maiden name. Shouldn't I have signed it with my husbands last name to show proof that I took his name? The officiant said that it's just a given that I am going to his name.
So, should we just go to the courthouse and get married in our home state now? Wouldn't that complicate things if we have a marriage certificate in our home state and one in Jamaica? Am I just panicking for nothing? Is it normal to wait 4-8 months to be able to claim a marriage and a name change?
Please help! I know that people have destination weddings all the time. This must be a normal occurance. I am just panicking since it's going to take so long to get the certificate in the mail. Please give me advice..
Thank you!

edauer
01-03-2007, 04:00 PM
You are worried about nothing. It does take about 4 months, I got married in Jan.
Don't worry about changing things at the DMV unless you are moving out of state.
Tell your employer to get off you back, keep your employment records in your maiden name until you get it. It doesn't change who you are or the job you are doing.
Give a copy of the receipt to your husband's employer, to enroll for health insurance and get them a photocopy of the real deal when you get it. They know he took time off to get married. They should be willing to work w/ you. (I don't believe it's the insurance co, it's a control freak in his Benefits Dept.)
File you taxes in the name that you have the current card for, it's okay (I'm a tax preparer and didn't take my husband's name). So if you've had time to get the new SS card by the time you file, file the new name, if not file under your maiden for tax year 2006.
Relax and remember the beautiful wedding you had.
Congrats.

BHAPPI
03-29-2007, 07:01 PM
I like that answer Bravo!