Maybe you could do some of it online? I just renewed my car registration and got my new license plate at the Secretary of State's web site. They may do name changes online -- if they do, it would save you having to go to their offices and wait in those impossibly long lines
Edit: I'm wrong; the web site says you have to go in person and bring proof of the name change. Which does make sense ...
I looked around on the website the other day and didn't see that, but I may look again before I go down there. Luckily for me, being in such a rural area our local office isn't quite as ridiculously busy as many of them can be. which is not to say you would expect to be in and out of the office - it's definitely one of those chores you need to set time aside for
SG, you're welcome. The SOS office in my neighborhood has such long lines, I only go in there when I have to. I'm hoping I renewed in time to get my new plate and tab before my old one expires ...