Tip Tuesday: Change your name with HitchSwitch
Pop the champagne, I'm changing my last name! I've been so excited about officially changing may name, but absolutely dreading the process. I've heard it can be a lengthy process, with a lot of steps, paperwork, and waiting lines. When I discovered HitchSwitch and how easy they made the name change process, I knew I wanted to give it a try.
About HitchSwitch
HitchSwitch was founded in 2010 after a newlywed couple went through the name change process themselves and saw just how difficult it was. They created HitchSwitch to give couples an easy, step-by-step guide to simplify the process. HitchSwitch has three different price points with varying levels of support to make changing your name as easy as possible. All three service levels provide the same exact forms, with a variance in price related to the amount of additional support provided throughout the process.
Platinum ($99): HitchSwitch will ship printed name change applications that have been auto-filled with your basic information, a set of corresponding instructions that will explain how to submit each application, and pre-paid envelopes for any steps that can be submitted through the mail. Platinum clients also receive a dedicated account manager and a free passport photo (which will be redeemed through their sister site "NewPassportPhoto.com").
Full-Service Package ($69): HitchSwitch will ship printed name change applications that have been auto-filled with your basic information, a set of corresponding instructions that will explain how to submit each application, and pre-paid envelopes for any steps that can be submitted through the mail.
Print at Home ($39): You'll have immediate access to name change applications that have been auto-filled with your basic information and a set of corresponding instructions that will explain how to submit each application via an online dashboard.
My Experience
I reached out to HitchSwitch to learn more about their services and was so excited when they sent me a Platinum package to try out and share on the blog. I'll be honest, I was a little intimated at first, but once I opened up what they sent it couldn't have been easier. They printed all of the required forms and pre-filled out the necessary fields, with the exception of my social security number for privacy purposes. The package also came with a welcome letter from my account manager, a step-by-step checklist, and pre-paid envelopes in varying sizes. They looked into the required forms for my state, which included the following:
Application for a Social Security Card
U.S. Passport Renewal Application
Texas Driver License or Identification Card Application
Voter Registration Name Change
Voter Registration Application
Application for Texas Title an/or Registration
Free Passport Photo
I can't stress enough how detailed the to-do-list was, and how easy it made the entire process. It literally includes directions like "write your social security number on line 17." Totally fool proof! All in all, it only took me about 30 minutes to fill out the paperwork, which included the time I spent hunting down my passport. All that is left to do is send in your original marriage certificate and make a trip to the social security office. After that, you're done! HitchSwitch was incredible to work with and made the process so easy! If you're looking for a way to simplify your name change experience, this is the service for you.
Unfortunately for me I was a little apprehensive to send in my marriage license, given that timelines are moving a little slower due to COVID. I didn't want to risk it not making it back to me in a timely fashion, especially because my drivers license was set to expire soon. This required me to go in person to take care of all of my forms, but there were no available appointments for months. So for now, I have all the paperwork ready to roll, a waiver for my expired license, and will report back as soon as the process is complete!
Interested in using HitchSwitch? Use my code TIETHEKNOTINSTYLE for 10% off any name change package!
Disclaimer: Although my HitchSwitch service was sponsored, my opinion is authentic. I'm committed to only sharing items or products that I actually use and would recommend. xoxo