The Cat Dish

It’s the first question most people have asked me since I tied the knot:

“What’s your last name now?”

Truth be told, I had no plans of changing my last name. And it’s not because of an identity issue or because I prefer my last name to my husband’s. (In fact, I actually dig the name Taira.)

I didn’t change my last name because I’m lazy.

Until you’re married, you don’t realize how humbug changing your last name can be. You have to change it on everything, from your Social Security card to your voter registration.

It’s not easy — and I didn’t feel like tracking down every bank account, every magazine subscription, every doctor’s office that needed my new name.

To put this into perspective, here are some of the things that need notification, some of which can take up to six weeks to process:

• Social Security card
• Driver’s license
• All bank accounts
• Documents at your job, including payroll
• Credit card companies
• Insurance companies (auto, home, life)
• Utility companies (such as electric, cable, Internet)
• Schools and alumni associations
• Doctors’ offices
• Post office box
• Voter registration office
• Investment account providers
• Attorney and accountants
• Passport office
• Email and social media accounts

The list goes on and on and on.

Sure, you don’t have to update everyone with your new last name. I mean, your hairstylist and massage therapist don’t need it. But you’d be surprised how tedious the process is to notify all the important ones — banks, credit cards companies, Social Security Administration — about the change.

Honestly, I’d rather spend my time surfing and walking my dogs than chasing after this. It’s all about perspective!