I survived the DMV visit. The parking lot at my local branch is maybe a quarter of the size it ought to be, so I ended up parking about a block down the street (in a city that doesn’t really have on-street parking anywhere). I hiked to the DMV, stood in line for about 10 minutes to get my number, then waited for over an hour for my number to be called. I found that going close to closing time is quicker than a mid-day visit, unless I can get up first thing in the morning and be in line when they open. Though the DMV closes at 5, once you have a number the clerks have to stay until all the numbers have been seen, and it seems to go really fast once 5pm comes. Anyway, I took care of my name change and address change for both my license and registration, then stood in another line to get a new license picture taken. Now I have an official ID with my new name on it.
I do have to go back to the DMV rather soon, because Mister ordered me some personalized license plates as a wedding gift. They are holding the plates at the DMV until I register a car to them or until they’ve waited for me long enough (60 days). So, I need to go back with my registration and old plates to get my new plates. Oh the joys of the DMV. If we end up buying a Jetta TDI, we’ll have to go back yet again. Fun.
Now that I have legally changed my name, I need to tell everyone. Here’s the fun part. I am still waiting for my new social security card, so once I get that I can change my name at work, though I did already order a new nameplate for my cube. There’s the banks, credit cards and other accounts, and of course my online life, and once all that is done there’s my passport. I need to mail in for that, and since I don’t have any international trips coming up anytime soon, I can do that one last.
It will take time to get used to my new name – seeing it in print, saying it, and signing it. But I know I’m not the only woman to do this, so there will be some understanding as I get accustomed to the change. And one more thing – my online name, KirstenL4W, will not be changing. It’s searchable and unique, so I’m just going to keep it the way it is. For all you fans out there who search me by my online name, you’ll still be able to do that.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to eat my dessert before my lunch hour is up.
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Too cool!! I remember how excited I was to get my name changed!!!
It’s a bit weird at this point to get used to a new name, since I am in my 30s and well established under my old name. It will definitely take some getting used to.
I kept my maiden name so I didn’t have to go through all the administrative changes. At the time, I was applying for my permanent residence in Canada and 1) I don’t think I could have taken dealing with more paperwork 2) it would have probably confused the immigration people.
I like my name anyway ;-)
Did you think of keeping yours or it was a logical thing of changing?
I can see how it would have seriously slowed down when you’re in the middle of your residence application. For me, I did think of whether or not to change it, but in the end changing it felt like the right thing to do.
I understand your choice!
I must add that my husband is Chinese so taking a Chinese name would have been a bit weird for me… I already get strange look when I send my resume (where I state I studied in China and speak Mandarin) and then go to interviews. People always expect an Asian woman and… here I am, 100% non-Asian! :lol:
It’s funny how people make assumptions like that, isn’t it?