Use Your Maiden Name Even After a Name Change
Whether you're changing your name to better align with your new spouse's and kids' names or because you like the new name better, there may be situations where it makes sense to continue using your maiden name.
You could achieve the best of both worlds where:
- You change your name after marriage.
- You continue to use your maiden name when it suits you.
Let's explore real-life circumstances where it helps to use your maiden name over your married name, whether that's sometimes or even most of the time.
1. In professional contexts
If you've invested time building your maiden name into your professional identity, don't discard it arbitrarily: consider the consequences and prepare for the transition.
Even after changing their name through marriage, many people still use their maiden names in professional contexts. You can join the ranks of those who find this approach beneficial.
It's doable without conflict, while ensuring everything is legal and compartmentalized: your maiden name over here and your married name over there, coexisting peacefully.
Our online name change kit can help you complete this transition while you prepare for a future where your maiden name remains prominent in your life.
Everyone knows you by your maiden name
Consider the numerous places your maiden name is firmly plugged into the world, extending far beyond your diploma, professional license, or general reputation.
Your colleagues, customers, and clients know you by your maiden name. Your authored articles, references, and referrals from others are linked to your maiden name.
Your professional network converges around your name, weaving a web of recognition. Like Coca-Cola, you've covertly and masterfully branded your name throughout your life.
But now that you're married (or soon-to-be married) and have changed your name, it's like a burst of lightning, short-circuiting these connections.
Like X, formerly known as Twitter, you've warped and fragmented your brand recognition and must carry the "formerly known as" millstone around your neck.
But you might not have to undergo a complete reset…
Starting over with your married name
Changing your maiden name severs your network of associations until you assimilate your married name. Yet, like refreezing melted ice cream, it's never quite the same after.
Traces of your maiden name will persist, etched into your birth records, and deeply embedded in genealogy databases, as well as in the memories of everyone you've met.
While you can change your driver's license, you can't erase the historical record. Your yearbook is just one permanent testament to the past.
Yet this article isn't focused on downsides and rejecting your married name, but on completing the transformation while still placing your maiden name at the forefront.
Let's delve into putting your maiden name to work…
Navigating the tricky transition
Here's one way dealing with name changes can get tricky: people still send mail and write checks to your maiden name even after you've switched to your married name.
The opposite also is true: checks made out to your married name are problematic when you haven't yet updated your bank records away from your maiden name.
A name mismatch might disrupt check cashing, deposits, and direct payments, including those from employers or potential IRS tax refunds.
Prepare for the inevitable: talk with your bank and make sure they'll allow deposits in both your maiden and married names.
While you're at it, if you have a hyphenated name, go the extra mile by ensuring your bank accepts three name variations:
- Your maiden name
- Your hyphenated name
- Your spouse's surname only (just in case)
If you're well known by your bank's staff, an informal acknowledgment may be enough. But it's better to have an official notation recorded in your account that applies globally.
You should repeat this routine with every new bank account you open.
Notifying your bank is an often overlooked name change task that merits elevated importance alongside updating your social security card but rarely receives the attention it deserves.
Tick off this name change to-do early, as soon as you have a certified copy of your marriage certificate available to show your financial institution.
Doing business in your maiden name
Registering a DBA in your maiden name is useful when you need to conduct official business using your maiden name after changing it due to marriage.
FYI, DBA stands for "doing business as" and is synonymous with other terms, such as fictitious business name, assumed name, brand name, trade name, or trading name.
This approach ensures seamless continuity and legal compliance, sparing you the need to alter business cards, letterheads, signatures, or the brand you've cultivated.
Put simply, a DBA is a clever way for you to use your maiden name as a legal alias, nickname, or pseudonym for your business or company.
Using your maiden name as a licensed professional
Having the aforementioned DBA in your maiden name is not a sufficient replacement for failing to update the legal name on a professional, government-issued license.
For instance, if you're a registered nurse or doctor, the DBA approach won't work. Instead, ask your state's licensing board about using your maiden name professionally.
In this scenario, your state's licensing board would record your married name as your legal name and add your maiden name as an alternative name.
This allows you to continue working under your maiden name as your professional name, legally and transparently.
State regulations vary, so contact your state's licensing board to confirm if this practice is permitted and its potential impact on your DEA number, NPI, etc.
Consider requesting written confirmation from the board to acknowledge working under your maiden name as your professional name, despite your legal name change.
The preceding logic applies to other state-licensed professions too, such as dentists, pharmacists, psychologists, counselors, and physical therapists, among others.
2. In social contexts
Changing your name is a bold move, so it's understandable if you're reluctant to make the switch. After all, you've had the same name for your whole life… until now.
So, why bother changing?
Perhaps you're pragmatic in seeking a smoother experience with insurance and paperwork, or you may simply prefer to embrace the tradition of adopting your spouse's name.
In various situations, you don't necessarily have to strictly adhere to your legal name. Consider the context, exercise sound judgment, and avoid confining yourself to rigid boundaries.
For instance, when you're meeting new people who don't know your spouse and address you by your maiden name, there's no obligation to correct them.
Another scenario is when you're meeting with old friends; you might want to stick with your maiden name, as your longtime friends may have trouble adjusting to your new name.
Most of these events are social in nature, so there are no legal implications to worry about. Feel free to rotate between your maiden and married names whenever you like.
3. Legal disclosure obligations
When a security or background check gets ran against you, they'll ask for any previous names you've gone under to get a thorough look at your history.
Background checks are standard for job applications, volunteer positions, and credit checks. In these cases, you're usually legally required to provide your maiden name.
How can you tell if it's required? Check the form; if it has a section for listing other names you've used, you'll typically find instructions mentioning "such as maiden names."
Better safe than sorry, unless you're really set on leaving your maiden name behind. In that case, ask whoever's handling your paperwork if listing your maiden name is mandatory.
Your "legal name" is your "real name"
Your legal name is the name on your social security record, which is also the name you'll use for tax filings, job applications, and W-2 forms.
Beyond the talk of DBAs and social contexts, you must use your real name when filling out legal or government forms that asks for your name, current name, or legal name.
So if you've officially changed your name after marriage, but use your maiden name in social or formal capacities, your legal name and real name is your married name.
For instance, if you're an actor or singer with a stage name, you must sign your contracts and file your taxes using your real name. This is where artistry meets reality.
4. Paperwork not finished
One compelling reason to temporarily stick with your maiden name, whether you like it or not, is when you have paperwork and ID that still needs updating.
Before moving from your maiden name to your married name, the former will play a key role in preserving your legal identity before passing the baton.
When using your maiden name is unavoidable
Similar to methodically repairing a complex mechanical device, changing your name is a step-by-step process, addressing one document at a time to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
But you've also got to navigate when to strategically and temporarily hold onto your maiden name on a case-by-case basis, especially when time constraints or logistical challenges make updating everything in sequence impossible.
But sometimes the decision is out of your hands…
Certain documents are interconnected, requiring your names to match. In such cases, updating one ID necessitates changing others simultaneously.
For example, if your driver's license is in your married name, but your passport has your maiden name, international airline tickets must match the name in your passport.
Another example is if you've updated your social security card and nothing else, you must still file your taxes to match the name social security has on file.
Don't crack out of turn
Picture changing your name as a high-stakes game where you're juggling two identities: your maiden name and your married name.
Much like a con artist guards their words to avoid "cracking out of turn" and revealing their true intentions, you must master the art of smoothly transitioning from one name to the other.
Only when you've updated all your documents can you finally shift from your maiden name to your married name, preventing any identity "cracks" in your smooth changeover.
Managing multiple identities
You're managing conflicting identities, but each credential, from your social security card and driver's license to your bank accounts, allows only one name to prevail.
Keep a checklist of who has confirmed your name change. This will ensure that you never find yourself in an embarrassing situation where you're unsure which name to provide.
Before obtaining official approval for your new name, introduce yourself with your maiden name, and then explain that you're in the process of changing it.
This is often enough to satisfy requirements at places such as banks, as they understand the time-consuming nature of the name change process.
5. Haven't decided to go through with it
For some, the decision to undergo a name change is a can they keep kicking down the road, sometimes for years.
It's a procrastination that can make them wonder if they've missed an unspoken name change deadline that'll snare them with penalties or consequences.
Buying yourself some time
You might choose to slow-walk the process by updating your legal name on certain documents while you mull over whether you genuinely want to undergo a name change.
You might even welcome the idea of name change at first, only to backtrack when it comes to signing documents and introducing yourself with an entirely new name.
You're not alone if you're not sure if name change is right for you at this time. Maintaining the status quo is a tempting alternative to indecision.
You can legally change your name, but if you ever want to switch back to your maiden name, you can do so at any time. It's a reversible decision.
At a minimum, make sure your preferred name is chosen before applying for a marriage license to avoid your marriage certificate missing your married name.
Closing thoughts on using your maiden name
Some people think changing or keeping their name after getting married as a Hobson's choice. In reality, you have room to maneuver.
You can legally change your name and still use your maiden name at work or with friends. So, you're not boxed in. It's about what feels right for you in the moment.
If you're interested in starting the name change process, our online name change kit provides expert guidance through the transition.
Hello Valera,
I live in Illinois but had a destination wedding in Florida in June 2019. I signed the Marriage license hyphenating my maiden and husband name. I am a Police Officer and don't want to use my hyphenated name and want to continue using my maiden name for work purposes.
We are expecting a baby in a few weeks October 2019 and I want to sign the birth certificate using my hyphenated name but I have not changed anything else legally with SSA, DL or passport. Can I do this legally or do I need to hurry up and change these documents before having the baby?
Also work wise if I will be adding my husband on my health insurance and filing taxes together will I have to legally change all this paperwork into my new name or can I still use my maiden name?
You can do this.
Unnecessary.
You can keep everything unchanged.
Thank you!!!
I live in NYC and am permanently separated from my spouse by a domestic violence order of protection since 2016. In 2017, I filed for uncontested divorce & my spouse was cooperative until discovering that I had not removed the order.
Long story short, I have not yet been able to obtain the divorce since it will take a lot more money to manage this without a signature, and I am taking a long time to save money due to paying on marriage debts.
My question is, since I only changed my maiden name to my married one with NYS DMV, never with SS, is there a way for me to get my maiden name back on my drivers license before I can finalize divorce? NY DMV said I have to present a divorce decree, but surely there's another way.
Hi Mary. There isn't another way. You'd either have to show a divorce decree or court order showing your name has changed.
Hi Daniela! I’m looking into getting global entry. My question is, my passport has my maiden name but my license has my maiden and married name hyphenated. Will this be a problem when I bring them the 2 required ids? Should I also bring my marriage certificate?
Hi Christine. You should be fine. Yes, bring your marriage certificate.
Hello guys, I got married in 2015 and changed my last name to my husbands last name and because I didn’t want to lose my maiden name I used it as a middle name. Now I’m regretting it since I’m becoming a Licensed Veterinarian and I want to use my maiden last name professionally.
I don’t mind keeping my husband s last name for other purposes. How can I start my career with my last name since I’m getting my paper ready with new name and license ready. I want to be able to use my maiden name as well as a Dr
Hi Daniela. You can contact your state's licensing board about the possibility of using an registered alias or D.B.A. in your maiden name.
I've been married, in Nevada, since 2015. I took my husband's last name but I still haven't changed the name on my SSC.
I recently lost my driver's license and tried to get a duplicate, but was told since my SSC still uses my maiden name I would have to change that first.
Instead of using my married name could I go down to the DMV and get a duplicate license in my maiden name?
Yes, that wouldn't be a problem.
Hello,
I am a foreign RN who is on the process of getting a U.S green card.
I've been married for 12years but I'm still using my maiden name in all my documents and international passport.
My concern is;will there be any issues with my surname being different from that of my kids and husband since we're considering a family visa? My kids bear my husband's name as surname on their international passport while my husband bears his father's name.Do you think we won't be able to immigrate as a family because of the above reason?
Thanks in anticipation for your response.
No, it's not an issue.
No, it's a nonissue.
I changed my name to reflect my husbands last name for drivers license and social security card. Do I have to change it at work for w2/ tax purposes or any other reason?
Yes, the SSA reports name changes to the IRS. If your W-2s and tax records don't match, it could cause delays processing your taxes.
Is it okay to just start using a maiden name again after a divorce.
Hi Mary. If you intend to use your maiden name after divorce, be sure to request the restoration from the judge so that it appears in your divorce decree. This will allow you to legally change your name instead of informal usage.
Hello, I have my maiden name and my ex husbands name but he forgot to tell the judge I wanted to go back to my maiden name but if I get remarried can I just drop the ex husbands name keep my maiden name and add my new husbands name with out paying a fee?
You may be able to get your divorce decree amended to restore your maiden name. You'll have to contact the court about that possibility.
On the marriage license application you'll have to put your current legal name. How flexible your name choices are depends on where your marriage will take place and where you reside. Could you share these details?
I changed my name when I married. How can I go back to my maiden name even though I'm not divorced?
Hi K. Even though the SSA might allow a reversion, especially if you haven't used or changed your name in any other capacity, it's unlikely any other government organization would. This is why you're likely to have to go to get a court order to change your name across the board without complication.
Hi,
My question is…I just recently moved back to the states. I got married in 2012 in a different country. We are now getting divorced. I never changed my name on my ssc. But did on my passport. So my ssc has my maiden name and my passport has my married name. Is my maiden name still my legal name? and can I use my maiden name for dmv ect… now that I have moved back to the states?
Yes, as far as social security is concerned.
Yes.
I am getting a divorce in October build my name go back to my maiden name after the divorce is final
Hi Appril. It's not clear to me what you're asking. If you want to go back to your maiden name after divorce, alert the judge so that the instruction is included in your final divorce decree.
There is a mistake in my nysc relocation ground. It was based on marital ground with my elder brother's name. Will it affect my maiden name on the certificate because there was no evidence document of change of name uploaded.
Hi Angel. Was your deployment approved? If so, you should be fine. If you need to correct your submission, get in touch with your NYSC office.
Hello,
My husband and I got married in May of this year. I changed my name to his last name, but am now realizing it was never changed with my fathers insurance company and Medicaid (I attempted to with Medicaid they never did). What should I do? Will I be okay to wait until open enrollment period?
You don't need to wait and let this hang over you. Just contact your Medicaid caseworker and provide them whatever documentation is necessary to update your name.
Hi, I recently got married and changed my last name to my husband's. My drivers license still has my maiden name on it, is it still okay to use?
Some states require you to update the name on your driver's license if you change it legally. The same goes for change of addresses. The requirements and penalties (if any) are often vague and hollow.
Not changing the name on your license doesn't invalidate it. When it comes time to renew, you'll likely have to match the name on your social security record.
Also, if you changed your name on your insurance, but not your driver's license, it may throw up red flags at the DMV/BMV.
I got married few months ago on my Lic. And Certificate of Marriage I wanted to take my husband's name at the moment. I actually haven't change anything under the new last name can I continue to use my maiden name if I haven't updated anything to DMV or SS
Yes, you can.
I've been married for 6 years can I still hyphenate my last name if I already changed it to my spouse's name?
No, you'd have to file a court petition to do another name change.
I was married 2 years ago and never changed my driver license name, but I did change my ss card name. I'm now divorce and the decree state that I may revert back to my last name. I don't wish to change my last name. How do I get my last name to match my ss card of my ex married name?
Use a certified copy of your marriage certificate from your dissolved marriage.
Hi..I am Rowena I’ve been separated for 24 yrs. but still i am using my maiden name and all my documents are single never change to married even my passport. now my question is how can this affects my visa application in USA? thank you
Your visa application wouldn't be affected since you've never changed from your maiden name.
My daughter is getting married next year. She and her future husband are both graduating as doctors- She wants to possibly keep her maiden name in the medical/professional world. But take HIS last name socially and to align with their future children.
What would be the best course of action? Does she have to hyphenate on the marriage license to keep her name in the mix? Can she take his name on the marriage license and still keep her maiden name on medical licenses, etc?
How would she sign documents/what would her passport have as a name? Can she put his name on the license and leave everything else as is or does SSN, drivers license, etc. need to match marriage license?
Then she'd just not change anything formally.
The name of her future children don't have to match hers or her husband's. Her children could take on her maiden name, her spouse's name, or a hyphenated version in either order.
If she's certain to never change her name, doing nothing is the easiest choice. But if she wants to keep her options option, there are some things to take into account, which you allude to…
This assumes the state she's marrying in will even have an option to choose a new name on the marriage license. It may not, which would make this one less thing to worry about.
If the state does provide this option, she must choose carefully. Specifying a choice could lock her into that choice if she decides to change her name down the line using her marriage certificate.
On the flip side, not specifying a choice could lock her out of using her marriage certificate later to change her name. She also couldn't amend the certificate after the fact with another name choice.
She can leave her new married name solely on the marriage certificate. None of her credentials need to match.
Hi I was married in 2000 and divoiced in 2008 I paid to have my last name changed back to my maiden name which I never have done. Now I plain on getting remarried will I have a problem sense I never changed my name back
No. Just make sure you use your current legal name when you apply for your new marriage license.
I recently go married and would have added my husbands name to my identification card and want to do document change. Can i sign documents using my last name? and would i always have to walk around with both my marriage certificate and birth paper for proof.
Your signature should match your current legal name.
No, you wouldn't need to keep either document on you.
I was divorced 37 years ago. My entire adult life and career, I have continued to legally use my ex's last name. I have extensive real estate holdings both personally as well as in two corporations. I plan to marry this year. it seems that it would be simpler to not change my name to my new spouses and simply continue to use my current legal name and only use his informally. Does this sound like the best and simplest strategy?
Not having to update documents is certainly the path of least resistance. If you did change your name, you wouldn't necessarily have to update the name on your properties as your identity wouldn't be in question. Your subsequent marriage certificate would link your new married name to your prior married name.
I am brazilian from birth and american form naturalization.
When I divorced my ex husband (American guy and we married in the US) I chose to keep my married name (his last name).
I came back to Brazil and started over.
I got married again in Brazil, but since I hadn’t register my american marriage and married name in Brazil, I got married for the second time with my maiden name.
Now I want to apply for green card for my husband, but my american passaport has my first married name, and my new married certificate has my maiden name.
Will I get in trouble?
Someone told to change my name in my american passport using my new marriage certificate.
No, you're fine.
You can.
Im a married lady i just want to no how my husband can have my surname. We stay in Capetown.. Western Cape
Hi Arletha. You can review the New Zealand name change after marriage guidelines.
I was married 3 yrs back. At that point of time I opted to put his surname as my middle name. I haven't updated any of my documents and to be honest I have changed my mind . All the documents has my maiden name but only my marriage certificate has my changed name. Will this be a problem in my gc process? I want to put my maiden name so if we are applying our gc process will this name be an issue?
This won't be an issue. Changing your name isn't required.
Loreta
July 28, 2019
My husband passed away 2 yrs ago and I am planning to change my married name to my maiden name. also, my now fiance and I are planning to get married sometime this year. I live in the Philippines and to acquire a marriage certificate I have to get a certificate of no marriage (Cenomar) and I have found out that I am still a single woman as stated on the Cenomar Certificate.
My name on my passport is my deceased husband name, so to change my name to my maiden name, will there be a problem?
Can I change my passport after I get married or before?
Please advice
Many thanks
You can use your late husband's death certificate to go back to your maiden name now.
what if I change my married name to my maiden name in my passport because we are annulled.my problem is I do not have papers of judicial decree with finality because it is lost.my husband was the one who filed the annulment so that he has the only have copy of court order.
PSA paper only like cenomar, mc with annotation of null and void and declaration advisory I have for now. Can I still change my married name to maiden name on getting passport using psa paper or do I have to borrow the papers of court order to my husband?
Hi Ged. Have you tried contacting the court directly to obtain your own copy?
My husband had changed his name legally in the past with no marriages… How would my husband go back to his Maiden name??
Same process. Legal name change through the court system.
I just recently changed my last name to my married name through SSA within the past 30 days. Still in the process of changing it at the DMV, etc.
I’m applying for a new credit card and was wondering if I should use my maiden name or married name when applying? Since it’s been less than a month since I changed it on my social security card I’m not sure if it takes time for my new name to show up on my credit report or what name the credit card application pulls up when checking my information.
Hi Melissa. You can check your credit report for free online using the annual credit report government website. That'll tell you if your new married name appears on your credit file.
When you notify the SSA or one of your creditors of a name change, the credit bureaus get notified automatically. If you must expedite the process of updating your record, you can contact the credit bureaus directly. However, they may have already updated your record, making this step unnecessary.
Hi there — I recently got married and opted to take my husband's surname on my marriage certificate; however, I haven't officially updated any of my documents (SSN, License, Passport, etc.) and have continued to use my maiden name on all of those. As we are expecting our first child, I'm wondering if I can use my married name on the birth certificate, or do I need to put my maiden name as that is what the SSA and state still recognize me as? Thanks.
You can put either name on the birth certificate.
My marriage certificate from 2001 shows that I changed my name to my husband's. We were married in NYS. However, I never adopted his name or made any changes to bank records, driver's license, passport, etc. Do I need to officially change it back to my maiden name or is it ok to just leave everything as is? It hasn't seemed to have been a problem, but I wanted to ask.
Since your new name was only changed on your marriage certificate, then your name hasn't really changed in the real world. Take no further action and your name will remain the same without a problem.
I have been married for 12 years. I never had my name changed on my SS card, but I did on my DL. I need to know what I can do to get this changed since everything is in my married name.
The process is the same. Use a certified copy of your marriage certificate to effect a name change.
Since your marriage took place more than two years ago, you'll have to include an identity document (e.g., driver's license, passport) along with your marriage certificate if you mail in your name change paperwork.
i am applying for medicare A only because my husband has me under his insurance at work, I never changed my name on any documents but my marriage certificate has my hyphenated last name, will this cause me any problems collecting medicare.
That won't be a problem.
Hi, when I got married, I changed my last name to my husband's last name on the marriage license. However, I haven't changed any other official documents including my Social Security card since that one change.
We file our income taxes as a married couple but I still sign my original name.
I am now renewing my passport. Because I haven't changed anything official except the marriage license, can I still apply for the passport under my original name? Thanks.
As you should.
You could do either: renew in your maiden name or change to married name.
I got married over 15 years ago. I never changed my SS card to my married name. My driver's license is hyphenated (maiden name-married name). My passport is also the same hyphenated name to match my DL.
I use just my maiden name at work. Insurance is through my work so in my maiden name. Bank accounts, credit cards, etc are with my married name only.
Should I change my SS card to match the hyphenated name? Is that possible? Will it cause me issues down the line if my SS card is in my maiden name and everything else (passport, DL, etc) is either hyphenated or just my married name? Thanks for your help!
It wouldn't hurt. And, yes, you can change it. Since it's probable you may only have identity documents in your new, hyphenated name, the SSA would accept your driver's license as your primary identity document for name change purposes. You'll still have to bring along an original or certified copy of your marriage certificate.
As far as the SSA knows, your maiden name is your current legal name. That's what the IRS would also have on file. You'll want to make sure your proper name is on file for tax and social security benefit purposes.
Thank you for your help! So if I change my name on my SS card – I will file taxes under that name correct? Also, will I need to change to my hyphenated name at work as well – I would like to leave that as just my maiden name if possible. Thanks again!
Correct. See the IRS and name change article for why it's important.
If you change your name with the SSA, they'll automatically notify the IRS. At this point, your employer will want to make sure they're also using your married name to match what's on file with the IRS.
Your W-2's will need to be in your married name. In order to maintain your maiden name professionally, you'll have to work out an accommodation where they file using your married name while continuing to use your maiden name for everything else.
I can't say whether or not this is within they're capacity or if they're even willing. At least now you know what to expect if you go down this road.
Hello. I’m getting married and am a MD with an established practice under my maiden name. I would like to taken my future husband’s last name when legally married personally but still legally be able to use my maiden name professionally, and would like to avoid hyphenating my name. Would it work to legally change my middle name to maiden name and take his last name as my last name? Or other suggestions? I’m in NYS.
Many women do this. You'll have to contact the New York licensing board about updating your legal name on file while maintaining the use of your maiden name professionally.
hi,
I change my name when I applied for a citizen in NYC a long time ago, I am using my husband last name since them only. I have a situation now that I need to open a bank account with my maiden name to received a pension from my original country. Is this possible without changing my name in a court?
There's a difference between opening a bank account in your maiden name and opening one in your married name while having checks printed in your maiden name.
The bank will likely want your legal name on file. They'll want to see ID. However, you can ask them to accommodate usage of your maiden name. It's up to them to allow it or not.
Hi,
I got married last year in California. At the time when filling out the marriage license forms, I chose to hyphenate my maiden name with my husband last name. I was told at the time I have two years to change all my documents to my new name. However, I have not changed or update the DMV or Social Security with my new name. I still carry my maiden name on everything such as my passport, ID, social security card and so forth.
My first question is, is the name on my marriage certificate my legal name now? Secondly, can I continue to use my maiden name on all my documents since it has never been changed?
Thank you
Your maiden name is still your legal name.
Yes, of course.
Hi I got married 14 years ago in hyphenated my name.Tu-Luong. Now I just want to drop my maiden name and use my husband's name Luong. Is that still possible?
You'd have to go to court and request a non-marriage-related name change. You wouldn't be able to use your marriage certificate again.
Hi i got divorced about 8 years ago or so,i kept my ex husbands last name.Now im wanting to go back to my maiden name,will i have to pay to change my last name back or can i go to ss and the dmv with my divorce decree and change my name back to my maiden? im kinding confused about the process,i want to go back to my maiden name but don't wanna have to pay the money to.
If your divorce decree contains language restoring your maiden name, you can change it back without going through extra steps.
Hi valera.
I have all important documents with my maiden name but I have been registered after marriage. I went to the home affairs and signed the surname that was on their system, which was my husband's surname. Do I have to inform my bank and others about the change and would it be a problem?
You should, as they won't be automatically notified of your name change.
Hi Valera ,
I got married a year ago in states of Oregon and back then I added his last name on the marriage license/certificate without hyphenated for example : Jones Smith. Since then I haven’t legally change my last name at all on anything because I changed my mind and I want to keep my maiden last name. Will I have any issues in the future (SSC, banks, mortgage, child birth certificate etc,..) if I will not changing my maiden name to the marriage name even though the married certificate has my married name ?
No, you won't face any problems. Government and nongovernmental institutions don't lookup marriage certificates to make sure people commit to their name changes.
Hello, my name is Vanessa, I recently got married and we are currently living in WA state. I am physician assistant for the state of WA as well. My question is if I add a second last name to my name (non hyphenated) for example Kate Wilson Smith, will I need to change my professional license, legal documents, bank, passport? Thank you!
If you've updated your social security card and driver's license, you'll have to contact your state's licensing board about the need to update your license. You may be able to maintain your premarriage name as an alias, even though their internal records references your new married name. Same with your bank. You don't have to update the name on your passport.
Hi Valera,
I changed my name to my husband's last name on my marriage certificate and nothing else. Then, last year when I had to renew my NYS ID, I showed my marriage certificate (with new/husband's last name) and that is now on my NYS ID.
I am applying for a NYS driver's license and am wondering, can I return to my maiden name at this point or use my maiden name for my middle name (I don't have a middle name) and my married name as my last name?
It doesn't feel right in my gut to completely drop my maiden name/identity, yet I want to be connected with my husband and son through his last name, but both last names are long and to hyphenate them is way too long. So I guess my question is:
Can I go back to my maiden name at this point or use it as the middle name with my husband's name as my last name?
Thank you!
Hi Kristin. It's unlikely you'll be able to change your name through marriage again since a non-driver ID and driver's license is issued by the same office (NYS DMV) that operates under the same guidelines.
Hello,
I legally changed my name to husband’s and all my documents still carry maiden name (Intl Passport, Bank Account and other form of Id). But the children’s birth certificate carries my name with husband’s surname.
Now, I’m applying for Canadian Express Entry as Primary Applicant, with my family, I’d like ask if this poses a problem as I’m applying with maiden name (Passport was renewed in maiden name,ECA and IETLS done in maiden name too).
Also, do I need to include documents for Change of Name in the application?
Thank you.
Hi Doyin. You can apply in your maiden name. A certified copy of your marriage certificate can be used to link you to your spouse.
Hello,
I was married less than a week ago, and at the time agreed to use my husband's last name. The marriage license has yet to be mailed, and I decided I wanted to still keep/use my maiden name on all my personal documents. Do I really need to do a name petition for this if I want to change my ss/dl to both my maiden name and new last name?
It depends on your state. Will a new name appear on your marriage certificate? If so, it could lock you in. If not, then you can hyphenate. I'm assuming you're talking hyphenation. If not, please clarify.
I am in UK on a Tier2 Dependant Visa. My Visa and marriage certificate has my maiden name. I being a Sikh it did not have Kaur in my name and was using my last name. He wants me to get rid of my middle name and last name and get it changed to Kaur.
Considering the amount of paper work I have to go through I do not want to get it done. As I have lived with name for 33 years and I am attached to it.
Will there be no complications as I need to change TO kaur and my husband s name is Singh. I have so many documents back accounts, investments, pan card and innumerable documents so do.not want to go for. A name change.
What are the complications of not getting it changed. I can always socially been known as Kaur. Please advise.
Hi Paramjit. There are no complications. Name change is not required. Do nothing and your name will stay the same.
I’ve been married 4 years now. I took on my husbands last name and updated my drivers license, bank accounts (except for one physical credit card), auto/life insurance, mortgage, two professional state and 1 national board licenses I hold.
The only document I have yet to make the name change with is SS. I have filed taxes jointly with my husband the past few years using my maiden name but had no W-2.
Thus far I have been able to deposit/cash checks here and there at my bank that have my maiden name with no issue. But now, I will be going back into the work force and need to know if legally I need to change my name with SS or if I can continue using my maiden for direct deposit and taxes?
And I live in Texas if that makes a difference.
Hi Dani. You can continue using your maiden name. If the need arises, you can keep a certified copy of your marriage certificate with you to explain why your driver's license has a different name.
Ive been married for a little over a year in california. I changed my last name to that of my husbands with the county but have not done so anywhere else. I use my maiden name socially and professionally.
Do I need to file taxes under my married name if i've never done business or used my married name?
The only document that carries my married name is the marriage certificate.
File taxes under the name that's on your social security card.
Then you haven't legally changed your name anywhere.
I got divorce last year, I stated in my paper work that I want to go back to my maiden name but I want to change my mind and keep my married name can I do so? and I apply for citizenship in my maiden name, will they change it back to my married name? I have my final interview in 3 weeks
You don't have to return to your maiden name.
You can contact USCIS to modify your application, but it's likely you'll have to wait to update your name at the interview.
I would like to hyphenate my maiden name with my married name and have no idea where to start the process. Must I go to a lawyer to have this done or is it legal to just start using it on my own. I have been a widow for the past 43 years and would like this changed.
Since you've already established a maiden name, you'd have to go to court to change it again. Using your marriage certificate is a one-time allowance.
You may use your preferred name informally, but it wouldn't be your legal name.
I was married to my late husband for 9 years before he was killed. We had 2 kids together and they are still young. My new husband and I are common law married and it is recognized by the state of S.C.
I want to take my new husband’s name, my kids do not want to have a different last name then I do. And strangely, taking my new husband’s last name would actually be a very smart professional thing, since he is very well known in the industry we work in and is very well liked. His unusual last name stands out. The few times I have introduced myself with his last name, people are so excited to meet me.
I am so torn on what to do. Can I just start using his name work wise, but keep the old legally?
Yes, you may use it informally.
I don’t have a social security card, though I do have a social security number. My parents claim I just never had one. Will I still be able to get a new card with a new name if I don’t have an old one?
Yes.
Can credit card companies know when you’ve changed your name before you tell them? I read that your new name and your old name are both on your credit history, so I wondered if cards ever ever update it automatically via credit reporting sites.
Hi Kristi. Credit card companies are not going to automatically reissue you a new card because they detect a name change. You have to request a reissue.
I’m planning to change my name through a court order.
I plan on changing my name on my drivers license, passport, credit cards.
1. I have student loans I’m working to pay off. I don’t want to change my name on that account because it seems like a huge hassle for something that won’t stick with me (unlike a passport). Am I legally obligated to update my name with them?
2. My passport is expired. Do I need to get my passport renewed with my current name first, and then update it with my new name? Or can I renew an expired passport and change the name on it at the same time?
Thanks so much!
You don't have update it if you prefer not to.
You can do this at the same time.
Hi! My parents (both Filipinos) were already divorced. My mom remarried but she retained her old married lastname in all her documents. Today, she is already an American citizen, and still uses the same lastname (she doesnt want to undergo all the hassles). However her employer indicated her new husband’s lastname in her employment certificate. They put it as EX-HUSBAND’S LASTNAME (hypen) NEW HUSBAND’S LASTNAME.
The issue is, she invites us to visit her in the US. And as proof of income, she will provide the US embassy here in the Philippines her EMPLOYMENT CERTIFICATE. Would it be a problem if her employment cert. lastname differs from all her other documents? Will her new marriage certificate suffice? Any legal implication? Would the lastname difference affects our chance of getting the tourist visa?
Hi Anna. Her marriage certificate might be enough to explain the name difference. Consider calling the U.S. embassy to inquire directly.
I am having my marriage certificate with maiden name. My husband dont follow any surname along with his name. Now on birth certificate of my child mothers name include with followig fathers name so can I change name legally. Or i have to change birth certificate or any other solution. Please help me out.
Hi Rohini. I'm not sure what you're asking. Are you trying to change the name on a birth certificate? Your child's birth certificate? Or are you trying to change your name to something that matches your marriage certificate or a birth certificate?
Can you provide a before and after example of what you're trying to achieve.
Hello I’m Laila I got married on 2015 but we broke up on 2017 can I still use my family name not my husband’s family name then if I use my family name I processe any documents What I apply it single or marriage ?plz help me !!!!
Did you ever formally change your name? If not, then you'd use your family name as if nothing has changed.
If you did change your name, you'll have to continue using your current name for legal purposes.
I'm not sure what you're asking here.
hi, i got married last month i took my husband's last name in the marriage certificate but i'm not ready to change my drivers license, ss, passport to my married name yet. is there a deadline for this?
There's no deadline. Take as much time as you need.
I was married 6 years ago I dropped my middle name and kept my last name for the middle name and took my husband name for my look at name do I have to change my private insurance policy I live in tenn. Uh
Hi Doris. It's a good idea to update your insurance documents to avoid identity questions down the line.
I was married and still am, but would like to change my name back to my maiden. I reside in Georgia, how do i go about this?
Correction I am married and it seems silly to get anew passport due to name change.
Hi Jacqleen. You can continue using your current passport.
Submit a name change petition with the Georgia Superior Court. You can see the dedicated Georgia name change page for further details.
Gud pm i just wanna ask about my mom’s case becase she is having here vacation this month of MAY for 3weeks in the philippines,her passport’s surname is her maiden name because the DFA assistant in USA old her to use her maiden name to avoid hassle in her renewal,
she was divorced but didnt undergo any change surname,so her california id and etc is using her married surname,will there be a problem if her passport’s surname is different from her california id,but she has her documents even the divorce paper,whem she gets back to the US will my mother be hold due to that case even if she is a permanent residence in the US?
No, that shouldn't be an issue.
That's doubtful. If she carries her divorce decree with her, it'll tie the two names together. That'll explain the difference to anyone who inquires.
Question if I already change my name to Social Security and my Maryland state ID has my maiden name on it an I’m going to Atlantic City can I still use it
Yes, you can.
I got married a decade ago and didn't change my name, but now that we have kids in school I would like to. Can I still do this? If so, how long will the process take?
Yes, there's no time limit for name change. How long it takes depends on how many documents you need to update and if you're doing them in parallel or consecutively. There's also the time between submitting your forms and getting your updated credentials.
If you're only dealing with your social security card and driver's license, you could submit your paperwork within a day of each other. You'd get your updated social security card back in about a week or soon thereafter. The driver's license turnaround time varies by state and county.
If you need to update your passport, tack on more time. Same for other agencies and nongovernmental sources.
I just recently got married for the third time. Instead of taking my current husbands surname I’d like to go back to my maiden name. Is this possible with my divorce decree. Or will I be able to go to the social security office and revert back to maiden name?
Probably, although it wouldn't sync with your current marital status. If you were to do so, the decree would need to include a statement restoring your maiden name.
Hi, I'm a physician who has practiced for many years as "first name" "Maiden name" "ex husband's last name". I did not go back to my maiden name when I divorced 12 years ago as I wanted to have the same name as my children. The kids are grown and now I am getting married and in a conundrum as to what to do with my name. I'll retire in 9-10 years and am well established in the medical community with the ex-husband's last name, but it just seems strange to keep his name now. But, changing my professional name now seems extremely difficult and probably not smart from a business standpoint.
Is it possible to put four names on the new marriage certificate to keep my options open? first name, maiden name, ex husbands last name, new last name. I could go by the new last name socially, go by the ex husbands last name professionally for now, and keep my options open for changing altogether as I retire.
I've heard that Medicare has strict rules about what name you use and perhaps other insurance companies do as well.
If the four name thing works on the marriage certificate, then what do I do about Social security card, driver's license, passport, medical licenses, etc?
Or, is it possible to "do business as" my current name, but actually change it for all of those things mentioned above? I live and work in Oregon.
Advice?
Thank you!
You could reposition your maiden name as your middle name. You could also combine your current last name with your spouse's current last name, separated by a hyphen or space.
If this is what you're proposing, your sequence would work.
Whatever you specify as your new last name is what you'll be locking yourself into. If you later want to deviate from that, you'll have to go to court to change your name.
You'll only deal with them when you decide to formally initiate a name change with those institutions.
Yes, that's an option.
Hi, I’m soooo nervous I’m getting married! I dont want to change my last name but I also would like to have my fiancé’s what should I do (In NYC). Also do I HAVE to change my documents after gettin married (SSC,ID,ETC)?
You can specify your partner's name on your marriage application, which'll be mirrored on the marriage certificate. This will give you the option to change your name down the line.
No, it's not required.
So it’s not mandatory at all correct ? Because when I spoke to someone at the office she told me that I will have to change all of that. Someone else told me the same thing you did that it’s not required. Help please
It's not mandatory.
Perhaps they were suggesting that if you changed one identity document, you'd be well off to update them all to avoid inconsistency.
My ex husband obtained a secret divorce in another state by claiming he did not know where I was living. He is now remarried and I would like my maiden name back. The name change was not addressed in court since I did not know about the proceeding. I cannot afford to take this to court. Do I have any other options?
Hi Robin. You may want to get in touch with an attorney. You could also contact the court where the divorce was finalized to request the divorce decree be amended to reinstate your maiden name.
Hello, I have a situation in which don’t know what to do. I got married last year but haven’t changed my maiden name yet including Green Card, but on marriage certificate I have my husbands last name.
Now I want to apply for citizenship and question is: Should I first get a new Green Card with married name on it and then apply with marriage name , or I can still apply for citizenship with my maiden name and there is no need to change Green Card? Thank you
You don't have to change your name on your green card or when you apply for citizenship just because your marriage certificate lists a new name.
But what about if you do want too. If you already changed it in your social & id?
Hi Maria. In that case, you'd just renew your green card using form I-90.
Hello! I don't know if this page is still updated. I got married last 2007 and Separated in 2009. Some of my documents are married name.
I went back to school last 2009 and never change my married name status in my school information. I graduated 2011 using my Single name with the civil status Single.
Last 2017 I enrolled to a different school with my transcript of my records from my previous school that has Single name with Single Status. As of this moment I am still using my single name and single status in school.
I didn't bother changing it from my previous school because my annulment/divorced is ongoing already.
Now I plan to apply a tourist visa using my married name and passport. Do you think I will have trouble if they found out Im a student using Single name with Single status?
My friend told me today that she fear for my future because I didn't use my married name in school and my school documents are single name and in the future my record as a nurse will also be in trouble especially once I applied for abroad.
What do you think? Please give me some advice. Thanks!
I'm not sure what country you're referring to. You should be fine if you can provide identity documents in your pre-marriage name. You may want to contact the office that will issue you your tourist visa to determine if you have a potential problem and what supporting documents are required to resolve it.
Hi! Do I have to change the name on all my documents (passport, drivers license, bank account, etc.) right after marriage? Or can I wait till let’s say my drivers license is expiring and only change my name when I renew? I just got my passport renewed and don’t really want to go back to get a new one.
You don't have to change them immediately or at all.
Yes, but you'll want to update your social security card first.
Got married 8years ago.I changed most of my documents into my married name.I did not change my maiden name on my mortgaged property.. I am not sure if this is legal as it sounds like I have two identities.
Although you don't have to change the name on your mortgage after marriage, doing so can eliminate complications down the road. For instance, if you need to switch your homeowner's insurance policy or refinance, you'll have to provide extra identity documentation to explain the name discrepancy.
Hi,
I've been married for 5 years. I am a permanent resident and this year am applying for citizenship. I want to have my name changed before I become a citizen.
Q: With having my name changed can I still use my old passport with my maiden name?
Thank you
Yes, it'll remain valid.
Hello,
I am getting married soon in Virginia. I would like to change my last name, but due to me being in school I want my degree to be in my maiden name. If you change your name before you graduate, are you allowed to put your maiden name on your degree for graduation?
Maybe. That's entirely up to your school.
Hi im Philippines citizens and I’m divorced and annulled in my country… then I get re married through double proxy married in state of Montana USA. since I didn’t change my last name to my fathers maiden name after divorce and I’m using still my ex husband last name on my passport and marriage certificate now, is that having a problem to change my name? Im planning to use my husband last name now.. I was so confused what should I do
No, it won't be a problem.
Hi! I am a Doctor with my own private practice for 12 years. I am divorced but never changed my name. I am getting remarried next January and am thinking of taking my new husbands last name. But I do not want to change my professional name.
I have licenses in my last name and all of my personal bank accounts which several are used for my small practice are in my last name. What do I need to change to use my husbands last name in my regular life but still keep my maiden name professionally?
How do I file taxes if my business is a sole proprietorship in my maiden name but then I’d have a different legal name and we would file jointly? Honestly do I even need to change anything to just use his name? Can I change my DL with his name and just leave my SS # and all of my other things as is with my maiden name?
I want to use his name but I don’t want to screw up all of my stuff and make things very difficult for myself if I change some things and not others.
I’m not sure if once you change a DL if you are required to then change your passport, SS card and all credit cards. Or will I need to use his name on the marriage license and just carry a copy of it with me always for when I travel or something to explain the different names on DL and passport.
I’m in NJ. And this is not that easy like my fiancé thinks lol….this is why I didn’t ever change it the first time.
You can contact your state's licensing board about the use of an alias. This way their internal records would cite your legal name change, but your professional license and credentials would remain the same.
The name you use to file taxes would have to be in your legal name. Which name is on file with the SSA should be what's given to the IRS. You can file as married filing separately or married filing jointly.
Name change isn't mandatory. You can opt to use your husband's name informally without making a change.
In all likelihood, the MVC won't change your name to something that doesn't match what the SSA has on file. This is why people tend to change their name on their social security card before their driver's license.
You don't have to, but then you'll have to juggle two names across multiple credentials.
If you're not changing your name on your documents or passport, then there's no need to carry your marriage certificate. However, if you change your name on some documents (e.g., driver's license) and not others (e.g., passport), carrying your marriage certificate could explain the discrepancy.
You may want to review the New Jersey name change page.
Hi, both my husband and I are from west Africa, I still bear my maiden name same as all my document. My husband is currently applying for nationalty in Spain and says I have to take his surname especially on my international passport. He says it s a requirement for the process. Cant a marriage certificate suffice?
Could you clarify what you're asking is sufficient?
Hi. Ive been married last 2008 but was seperated to my husband after 4 yrs. However, ive already used my married name at my drivers license and tin id. I just filed for a petition for annulment this 2018 but the process is still ongoing. I am planning to buy a house using my maiden name now, using my passport as identification that also contains my maiden name, Is it possible that i request that my name be changed back to my maiden name now for my tin no. to be able to buy the property under my maiden name?
You'd have to present a document to justify the change, such as a court order
I have a question my daughter is pregnant and she's married she's separated from her husband and got pregnant from her high school sweetheart come to find out he doesn't want anything to do with her or the baby. So my question is her can she give the baby her maddien name instead of her married name
Yes, it's up to her.