How to Change Your Name on Oahu?

I recently got married and began the grueling process of changing my name on all my important legal documents.  I’m a little bit of a feminist, but after weighing the pros and cons of a legal name change and the sad look on my husband’s face when I said I didn’t want to change my name, I decided to just do it. 

What I didn’t know was how to go about all this.  There’s no instruction manual on how to do this in its entirety and when researching online I couldn’t find one straight answer.  All my friends who are married and have changed their names couldn’t remember the exact process.  That prompted me to write this post for any engaged persons or newly-weds. 

1. Marriage License. All parties getting legally married in Hawaii must apply for a marriage license in person.  Check out the link for fees and what you need to bring.  This office is located in room 101 (1st floor) of the Health Department Building, 1250 Punchbowl St. (corner of Beretania and Punchbowl Streets). 
2. Getting Married.  Once you do the deed, your marriage performer or officiant will help you fill out and file the proper paper work.  This is the the part where you write your NEW name on the forms.  Once the forms are filed, you will receive your official Certificate of Marriage in the mail. 
3. Changing your name on your Social Security Card.  Next you will need to make the fun trip down to the Social Security Administration office.  This unpleasant place (because of the long waits) is located at 300 Ala Moana Boulevard.  Wait times are usually about 1 – 1/2 hours long.  Meter parking on Pohukaina Street is affordable 2 hour parking, but anything on Punchbowl is 25 cents for 10 minutes.  I suggest Restaurant Row and go to lunch for a validation, get dropped off, or walk/bike.  You will need to fill out a form, show your certificate of marriage, but there is no fee for a new social security card.  This office will just process the paper work and your new card will come in the mail.  You can make an appointment for this office, but appointments are about a month out.
4. Changing your name on your Passport.  Changing your passport is done at the same spot as the Social Security Administration at 300 Ala Moana BLVD, but just at a different office down the hall.  The passport office is by appointment only.  If you have a straight forward case, you can do your passport name change online.  Any questions call the 1-800-881-2464, they are very helpful. 
5. Driver’s License.  Lastly, I went down to my nearest DMV with my current driver’s license, marriage certificate, and $6.  After filling out a form with my new name, I got my temporary license in about 5 minutes.  My new license came in the mail a few days later.     

Credit cards, Costco card, membership IDs, etc. are all pretty simple, just a pain in the a** to track them all down one by one.  If you live on the Leeward side you can always visit the Kapolei office for your social security card and passport changes.  The waits are usually shorter out on that side.   

Did I leave anything out? Or anyone else have any good or bad experiences doing their name change?  Good luck!!