Marriage-related paperwork

• ✺Missing or delaying paperwork, like updating your Social Security card or ID, can cause problems when applying for other documents or benefits.
• ✺Marriage changes your legal and financial situation in ways that often require updating existing documents and accounts.
• ✺Understanding the process in advance can reduce stress and avoid delays around your wedding.

1. 1Check your state and county's marriage license requirements, fees, and any waiting period.
2. 2Apply for the marriage license with valid ID before your wedding date.
3. 3Have the license signed by your officiant and witnesses at the ceremony.
4. 4File the signed license with the appropriate office to get your marriage certificate.
5. 5Order a few certified copies of the marriage certificate.
6. 6Use the certificate to update your Social Security card, ID, passport, accounts, and beneficiaries if you're changing your name or adding a spouse to benefits.

Marriage license

A legal document obtained before a wedding, authorizing the marriage to take place.

Marriage certificate

The official record of marriage, created after the signed license is filed.

Officiant

The authorized person who performs the wedding ceremony.

Life event

A major change, like marriage, that often allows special enrollment periods for benefits like health insurance.

• ✗Waiting until right before the wedding to apply for a marriage license and missing a state waiting period.
• ✗Not ordering enough certified copies of the marriage certificate for all the updates you'll need to make.
• ✗Forgetting to update your Social Security card before trying to update other IDs with a new name.
• ✗Not updating beneficiaries on insurance or retirement accounts after getting married.
• ✗Missing the special enrollment window to add a spouse to health insurance after marriage.

• !Marriage license requirements, fees, and waiting periods vary by state, so check your local county clerk's office.
• !Marriage is typically considered a 'qualifying life event' for health insurance, often opening a limited special enrollment window.
• !Updating your Social Security card is usually the first step before updating other identification documents with a new name.
• !Reviewing and updating your will, beneficiaries, and advance directives after marriage is often recommended.

• A marriage license is required before the ceremony, and becomes a marriage certificate once filed.
• Name changes typically start with updating your Social Security card, then other IDs and accounts.
• Marriage often triggers a special enrollment window for adding a spouse to health insurance.
• Consider updating beneficiaries, wills, and other legal documents after marriage.

Totally optional. Nobody's grading you.

1. 1.Check your state and county's marriage license requirements and any waiting period.
2. 2.Make a checklist of accounts and IDs to update if you plan to change your name.

Related lessons:

• Understanding name changes
• What a will is
• How to keep important documents organized

• Marriage, name changes, and more
  USA.gov(opens in a new tab)
• Update your Social Security card
  Social Security Administration (SSA)(opens in a new tab)