So, the excitement of the wedding has subsided, and what is one left with ? A whole lot of agencies that need to be informed of your name change. I could have chosen to stay with the old one, but that belonged to my ex-husband. The reason why I didn't change it when I divorced him was for this very same reason and nothing to do with sentiment !
Firstly, agencies will not accept your marriage certificate that the celebrant gives you. Now, that would be too easy. So, I had to fill a form and send away paying an amount of money to get an extract. Wait for the said extract to come via mail. Oh wait, Christmas came in between so what takes 10 working days took close to 4 weeks. In the meantime, my driver's license expired which meant that I had to renew it in my old surname and then pay another dollar figure when I get the extract to re change my name !
So, today, armed with this precious piece of paper I ventured forth to attack the world. First stop Driver's License. New photo taken (bonus) , fill a form and I was able to pay $29 for another 12 months for the license now it will be valid for two years instead of one and get my name changed at the same time. OR I could pay $9 just for name change and then another $29 next January. I think I picked the right choice. I was given a temporary paper license, my old license confiscated and it will be in the mail in the next 5 workings days..... those words....
Then off to Launceston to do the rest. First went to Medicare, I had to fill a form, looks like this is becoming a pattern. But the form was very confusing. What is your name ? Do you mean my current name ? I assumed that was what it was since a few questions down it said what is the name you want changed ? Then again - What is your name ? WTF ? I asked the lady, do you want me to fill this bit ? Yes she said, I need your name... Ummmm but it is in the first question right ? Obviously not ! She then tapped away on her little computer, confiscated my Medicare card and gave me this little piece of paper. 'This is your new card number' she said. "Your new one will be in the mail in the next 5 workings days' she says.... Really ??? I said will the new card have both my husband's name and my name on it ? She says 'oh no, you need to fill a form for that to happen!'... Riiiight !
Then the health insurance company. I was in and out in 10 minutes, she didn't take my card, but did say ' you new one will be in the mail in the next 5 working days'... oh well I was getting used to it by now.
And I went on to another few agencies that were in the vicinity. But really ! Why is changing your name such a tedious affair ?
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