So you're Mr. And Mrs., with all that has been happening have you remembered that just by getting married, you have become a new family unit -- and, in so doing, you have many official records to change?

Grooms and working brides should make sure all the records at their places of employment show their new status.  Failure to do so can cause confusion later in regards to benefits as well as income taxes.

When a woman changes her name and address there are certain records that should be changed.  Make a list of changes that need to be made and check each off and record date, for future reference, the change was requested.  Among changes that need to be made are the following:

• Subscriptions -- send publisher of each magazine you subscribe to a label from old subscription plus a letter giving new name and address and date change is effective.

• Mailing Address -- change name and address at post office.

• Insurance Policies -- change name and address on group health, life, and property and liability insurance policies.  You may or may not want to change beneficiary on life insurance policies, investment or retirement accounts.  Also change the name on hospitalization policies and include maternity benefits, if desired.

• Social Security card -- request new social security card with changed name but keep SAME NUMBER.

• Bank Records -- new bank account signature cards are needed with new name.  If you plan to have joint accounts add spouse's name to the card.

• Charge Accounts -- if you decide to have joint credit accounts add the new name.  If you retain your own credit accounts, make necessary name and address changes.  A woman should remember to retain her own credit identity.

• Automobile Records -- name and address should be changed on driver’s license, automobile registration and automobile clubs.

• School records, church records and club memberships -- send to each your new name and address to be included in your file.

• Voter Registration Records -- name and address should be changed on voter registration records.  You may be assigned a new voting location.

• Title of Properties -- title to property may need to be changed to reflect new name or joint ownership.

These are only a few of the many valuable papers that you will be handling during your lifetime.  Now would be a good time to develop a system for organizing and storing your family papers and records.  For more information contact your local Extension office.