What's in a Name?

We all know what Juliet's answer was....that which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet. Very romantic, however, I wonder if she would have said that same thing if she knew the the amount of time and paperwork involved in changing her last name to Montague! Granted, back then, Juliet probably didn't have to change her driver's license, passport or any of her government identification. Nor did she have to notify all her credit card companies, banks, and insurance companies. Unfortunately, changing your maiden name is not quite as easy as it was in Shakespearean times. Most brides attempt the process themselves...filling out various forms, standing in long lines, spending countless hours on the phone or the Internet doing research. Don't have the time (or the patience)? Don't fret - here's when name change services can save the day!

1) I'm A Mrs - For Canadian Brides

Based in Vancouver, B.C., I'm A Mrs. describes itself as a 'one-stop shop for Canadian name change.' The service has all the standard forms for changing your name (e.g. government, credit cards, bank, utilities) as well as forms for loyalty programs (e.g. Aeroplan, Shoppers Optimum), department stores (e.g. The Bay, Sears), and fitness centres. Don't see a form you need in the I'm A Mrs. database? You can request the form and the service will provide the form (if it's available) within 1 to 2 business days. I'm A Mrs. has two packages: 1) Standard - access to all the government forms plus 3 forms of your choice, for CDN $29.95 + tax; 2) Premium - access to all the forms in their database for CDN $49.95 + tax. I'm A Mrs. also offers gift cards for its packages - perfect for bridal shower gifts. For an online demonstration of how I'm A Mrs. works, click here.

www.imamrs.com

2) Miss Now Mrs.com - For American Brides

MissNowMrs.com is a similar online name change service for brides residing in the U.S. MissNowMrs. claims that its service will save you, on average, 13 hours that a brides usually spends on the name change process. In three easy steps, "Questions", "Forms" and "File", you can files the necessary forms to change your name. MissNowMrs.com directs you to answer of a series of questions, populates the necessary forms with the information provided in your answers, and finally, allows you to print the forms (once you've reviewed the forms). Also, for each form you print, an instruction sheet, outlining the filing steps, fees, office address/locations etc., will be provided to you. MissNowMrs.com offers two packages: 1) Basic - Driver's License and Social Security forms - for US$19.95; and 2) Complete - access to all the forms in their database - for US $29.95. MissNowMrs.com also offers gift cards. Need another reason to use the service? Five percent of MissNowMrs.com profits go to the Making Memories Foundation.

MissNowMrs.com

Would you use one of these services?