If you recently walked down the aisle with that special someone, congratulations! Hopefully, the two of you already discussed how you plan to pay the bills, your financial goals, and how to save for retirement.
Even though you may be more focused on your honeymoon, there are other important details newly-married couples in Massachusetts need to take care of in their first year of marriage, including obtaining proof of marriage, new identifications, and filing taxes.
Obtaining proof of marriage in Massachusetts
Once you said your “I dos” in Massachusetts, proof of marriage may be required for things like changing your license and your health insurance.
When you got married, you would have applied for a marriage license. After your wedding, the person conducting your ceremony should file your marriage license with the city or town clerk in the place where you got it within 60 days, according to Mass.gov.
A copy of your marriage certificate can be ordered online, by phone, by mail, or by fax through the Registry of Vital Records in the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (HHS). Obtaining the proof of marriage can take 2-3 weeks, and there may be service fees.
Changing your name and obtaining a new Massachusetts ID
If you decide to change your name after getting married in Massachusetts, you should indicate that when filling out your marriage license. According to Mass.gov, this will ensure that your name is automatically changed to the one you listed on your certificate after your wedding.
Once you obtain a copy of your Massachusetts marriage certificate, you can apply for identification with your new name. Mass.gov recommends that you get a new Social Security card before applying for a new Massachusetts driver’s license, as the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) will verify this when you apply for the change. Once you have your new identification/license, you can update your voter registration and your U.S. passport.
Updating your health insurance in Massachusetts
Marriage is a qualifying life event that allows you to change your insurance plan or add your spouse. Any changes must be made within 60 days of getting married. If changes are not made within that time, you will have to wait for the next open enrollment period.
If you both have health insurance through an employer, it’s best to decide who has the better benefits before switching one spouse to the other’s plan. If an employer assesses a surcharge for a spouse, it may be best to keep coverage separate.
Couples without health insurance may be eligible to sign up through the Massachusetts Health Connector. Enrollment must be completed within 60 days of the wedding, and a marriage certificate must be provided.
Filing taxes after getting married in Massachusetts
There are multiple options to file state and federal income taxes once you get married in Massachusetts, neither of which require proof of marriage to the Department of Revenue (DOR) or the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Married Filing Joint: This is when a couple files state and federal income taxes together. This option may not be feasible for every couple, however, depending on the time frame. For instance, if they weren’t legally married as of the last day of the year or if one person wasn’t a Massachusetts resident for the same portion of the tax year.
Married Filing Separate: This is when a couple files state and federal income taxes individually. The tax deductions and credits that can be claimed are limited if they choose this option.
Some other things to do after getting married in Massachusetts include:
- Update names and addresses of all companies you both do business with.
- Update bank accounts, safety deposit box agreements, and credit cards with spouse’s name, if desired.
- Update beneficiaries with spouse’s name, if desired.
- Add spouse to emergency contact listings.
- Add spouse to lease or mortgage.
- Create a budget to help you and your partner stay on track with expenses.
- Keeping track of your spending habits.
- Consolidate and manage your debts.
- Monitor your credit now that you are married.
- Consider getting a financial planner to help with budgeting, investing, and saving for retirement.
We hope you found these post-wedding tips helpful! Remember, you can always have an independent Massachusetts agent review your auto and home policies to ensure you have the right coverage suited to your individualized needs. If you’re not yet insured with MAPFRE, you can get a fast, free quote today!
