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Sunday, May 18th
HitchSwitch gives you a few ways to handle your name change, from a budget-friendly Print at Home option ($39.99) to the all-inclusive Platinum Plus package ($129.99) with concierge support and even a Shutterfly photo book. No matter which one you pick, your forms are auto-filled, and you'll get step-by-step instructions to make the process smoother. Unfortunately, not everyone has had a great experience here. Some customers have run into outdated instructions, like being told to mail forms that actually need to be submitted in person, and many have struggled to get help from customer service. HitchSwitch still holds an "A-” rating with the BBB, but with ongoing complaints about incorrect information and lack of support, we've dropped their ranking to "below average”.
Update My Name promises to save you time by providing all the necessary forms for a name change, whether you're getting married, divorced, or making a legal switch. Their packages range from $39 for Print At Home to $99 for Platinum, with features like auto-filled forms, premium support, and even a concierge service at the highest tier. Unlike some competitors, they don't seem to charge for shipping - though it's unclear how forms actually get delivered. The company also has conflicting refund policies, no clear customer support channels, and little online reputation to back up its claims. With so much uncertainty, we're giving Update My Name a lower rating and recommend choosing a more established name change service instead.
Every year, thousands of people legally change their names. Marriage and divorce are still the most common reasons, but more people are also changing their names as part of gender transition, and adoption-related name changes happen all the time. The exact number of name changes each year can be hard to track since not all states report them, but one thing is clear: it's becoming more common as people embrace life changes and make their names match their identities.
Changing your name is a big deal, but it's something plenty of people do every year in all of those situations. Whatever your reason may be, the process can feel like a lot to handle. That's where name change services come in - they help you cut through the paperwork and make sure everything gets updated without the hassle.
One important thing to know is that most name change services don't actually grant you a legal name change. You need to have the right legal documents first, like a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. Once you have that, the real work begins - updating your name everywhere it matters. That means letting the Social Security Administration know, getting a new driver's license or state ID, updating your bank and credit card info, and making sure your employer, insurance company, and other accounts all reflect your new name.
A name change service takes the headache out of this process. Instead of figuring it all out on your own, they provide the right forms, pre-fill your info where possible, and guide you through every step. Some even handle submitting certain documents for you, saving you time and avoiding mistakes. Instead of spending hours on government websites or waiting on hold, you can just follow their process and get everything done smoothly.
If you're thinking about using a name change service, you might get bogged down by all of the options out there. Which one is right for you? Here are some things to consider:
Changing your name is a fresh start, but dealing with the paperwork doesn't have to be a pain: just use one of today's most popular name change services, researched and ranked by the experts at Top Consumer Reviews. These services can take care of the details so you can focus on confidently moving forward with your new name!
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