Maiden Name to Middle Name Change
Did you know you could make your maiden name your middle name after marriage using your marriage certificate, while still taking your spouse's last name as your new last name?
This offers a savvy two-for-one compromise:
- You honor your spouse.
- You honor yourself and your family history.
We shall unpack the pros, cons, and gotchas a maiden to middle name change entails, with an added discussion of a hyphenated middle name or two middle names.
Why holding onto your maiden name matters?
For those unaware, your maiden name is your last name at birth. For men, your maiden name is your birth surname too, although the term "maiden" traditionally applies to women.
Many people choose to adopt a new last name after getting married. Yet losing your old name may feel like a tremendous loss, met with grief and uncertainty.
A loss of self with far-reaching tentacles:
- A loss for yourself.
- A loss for your brothers and sisters.
- A loss for your parents and family lineage.
How might your siblings react when it falls upon them to decide whether to keep the family name going? The harshest choice and burden left to the last unmarried child.
If you are an only child, you might worry how your parents will feel when your last name is gone. (Who will they expect to carry on the family name now?)
There is an oft overlooked fix to this problem…
Making your maiden name your middle name is a great way to keep it in your life while still following marriage conventions, as far as changing your name goes.
Note: You can use our online name change kit to complete a maiden to middle name change, along with changing your last name after marriage.
How to change your middle name after marriage?
You can use a certified copy of your marriage certificate to replace your middle name with your maiden name or add your maiden name as a second middle name.
For example, if Dana Blair Smith married Cameron Williams, a maiden name to middle name change would be Dana Smith Williams or Dana Blair Smith Williams.
Of course, you can change your last name at the same time.
(An important interjection: Caveats and gray areas exist for changing your middle name, covered in the next section. In the meantime, let us continue…)
When you apply for a marriage license, write in your new middle name if the application offers a spot to do so. If the form did not ask, your marriage certificate will exclude your new name.
Such an omission is not a problem, since you can derive your new name from your and your spouse's current and birth names, as shown on your marriage certificate.
This is how social security name change works; they verify the new name combination you write on their form against internal records and the names on your marriage certificate.
It is a reconstruction of disparate name groups:
- Your birth and current name
- Your spouse's birth and current name
Caveats, gray areas, and gotchas
Discussion of name change sometimes involves (or devolves into) happy talk. Claims that you can do something, while reality paints a different picture.
Maiden to middle name change has two such problems:
- Three U.S. states do not allow them.
- Pursuing two middle names is stepping into uncertainty.
1. A few states make middle name change difficult
Only three U.S. states do not allow you to replace your middle name with your maiden name through marriage, using your marriage certificate: New Jersey, Ohio, and Washington State.
Those three states require you to petition the court to alter your middle name. Once you get the legal name change court order, it will serve as proof of your name change.
A court-petitioned name change takes more time, effort, and expense compared to a marriage name change. In these cases, hyphenation may be a convenient substitute.
2. Procedural hurdles of two middle names
A few states, such as California, Nevada, and North Dakota, have statutes that allow combining your middle and maiden name after marriage, separated by a space or hyphen.
Yet most states neither approve nor disapprove of two middle names. Success may hinge on how picky the government agent is that handles your paperwork.
Success and failure are often anecdotal. You take a risk unless you know for sure two middle names (using your marriage certificate) will work.
It is far more reliable to pursue a straight up replacement of your middle name with your maiden name. (Excluding the three outlier states cited in the prior section.)
With that being said…
Switching your maiden name to your middle name may garner useful, long-term benefits beyond its sentimental value.
Starting with…
Using your new middle name as your first name
You could informally use your maiden name as your first name upon replacing your middle name, while maintaining the veneer of legality. (It is part of your legal name, after all.)
For instance, imagine your maiden name were Avery. You could tell folks, "Call me Avery," leaving them guessing if it was your first, middle, or last name.
This works best for surnames that can be mistaken for first names. To illustrate, Kim or Carey works, but not Lopez or King.
Here you have a flexible way to use your middle name as your first name without undergoing a legal name change by court order. (Such usage is informal, though.)
While using your middle name as your first name is okay around friends, coworkers, etc, you must still use your real, legal name for official purposes, such as filing taxes.
Confirming your identity fast (old and new)
What happens when you come across unexpected identity challenges at non-government institutions and need a quick way to prove that you have changed your name?
Should you whip out your marriage certificate?
- That would work.
- But it is too big of a hassle.
Yet having your maiden name as your middle makes it easy to attest you are the same person who just added a name. Further, it shows you have married.
Is this documentary proof? No, but many organizations will accept your reasonable explanation without pushback.
If you plan to keep using your maiden name for professional reasons, moving it to your middle name serves as a more credible form of "usage" or alias.
If you were born without a middle name, you have a great opportunity to fill that void by inserting your maiden name. This may help you to decide in favor of the shift.
Satisfying your relatives (and yourself)
Your parents and relatives might begrudge you for dropping your birth name. Abandoning your legacy. Pride in family and heritage can run deep.
If your family name is famous, prestigious, or admired, making your maiden name into your middle name is a potent way to honor your past, spouse, and future life together.
It shows that you have not forgotten where you came from.
Keeping your ancestry as part of your name is a wonderful gesture and sure to prevent rifts that might develop over adopting a brand new last name.
The decision to change your name is yours alone. But clinching a win-win solution that keeps you, your spouse, your family, and your troublesome in-laws happy is astute and admirable.
And women are not the only ones facing the name change question. Some states allow men to take their wife's name via marriage; even pursue a birth name to middle name switch.
Can you have two middle names?
Caution: This section assumes you have reviewed the caveats of adding your maiden name as a second middle name; if so, please proceed.
Three out of four people have a middle name. Many of whom use it regularly. You face a dilemma upon changing your middle name:
- Do you outright replace your middle name?
- Do you use your maiden name as a second middle name?
The answer depends on what you think of keeping your current middle name and having two middle names after marriage.
You will need to correct people who get confused by your dual (or dueling) middle names, while considering the repercussions of using one or two middle initials.
The clueless might wonder:
- Where does your first name end?
- And where does your last name begin?
For example, if Riley Lou Watts married Dakota Finley, a maiden to middle name change with two middle names would be Riley Lou Watts Finley, or Riley Lou-Watts Finley if hyphenating.
Such a complex name spells trouble to the uninformed.
Possessing a full name with four parts and no hyphens makes it hard to determine if the person has two first names, two middle names, or two last names.
Hyphenating your middle names might mitigate such confusing interactions.
Just remember, two middle names may prove clumsy and limiting, especially with forms that only have space for one middle name or middle initial.
Usually easier than hyphenation
Ousting your middle name for your maiden name may be simpler to manage than hyphenating your name. It keeps your identity obvious and segmented at a glance.
Using your maiden name as a bridge makes it easier to establish your connection to people on both sides of your family. This aids in childcare, such as flying with children.
Before considering a hyphenated name, assess how well it complements your partner's name. Do two names sound harmonious or disjointed?
Sound out your name and ask yourself:
- Does it flow, or is it an aural catastrophe?
- Can you live with that
noisesound?
The maiden name to middle name path may edge out a jumbled, overlong hyphenated surname. Plus, it means your last name will not be such a mouthful.
Helps ease you through the transition
Changing your name can be a form of paralysis analysis; weighing pros and cons among name sequences and combinations, only to arrive at a still uncertain decision.
A vicious circle of dissatisfying ruminations:
- I should have waited.
- I should have hyphenated.
- I should have kept my maiden name.
- I should have used spaces instead of hyphens.
- I should have replaced my middle name with my maiden.
There is no best or superior path.
Yet choosing to switch out your middle name with your maiden name may lead to the least doubt, regret, and resistance. It is a good choice, on balance.
It keeps your first, middle, and last name clean and compartmentalized: no hyphens, spaces, or disarray. Take your spouse's surname, while reusing your maiden name.
You invite turmoil by picking the wrong name in haste. You should settle on your complete name at the outset instead of backtracking and reversing your name change.
It is not always about keeping your spouse, relatives, and in-laws satisfied. You should inhabit your new name when updating your professional documents and ID cards.
The prospect of name change may appear less daunting if you keep your maiden name visible, since you are not wholesale abandoning what you have known your entire life.
Changing your name should be an act of triumph and celebration. Not of doubt and anguish. Keeping your maiden name active can help make that a reality.
You get to embrace your new name while keeping the old. This is like having your cake and eating it, too. Sometimes the simplest choice is the best pick.
Accepting your new middle name
If you have a middle name, you may either replace it or feel like one of those people by listing more than one middle name whenever you give your full name.
- Two middle names do not make you a bourgeois so-and-so.
- Choose whichever name makes you happy.
- Ignore the naysayers.
Getting used to having a new middle name is also a process, as you will need to update multiple documents. (Get busy practicing your new signature straightaway.)
Everything from your social security card, driver's license, REAL ID, to passport should match your new middle name. You do not want your legal documents drifting out of sync.
Finding the right balance
Changing your maiden name to your middle name is becoming ever more popular as people try to find a balance between tradition and more practical, modern alternatives.
Whether you lean towards hyphenating, creating a new last name, or keeping your maiden name, consider your middle name as a swappable placeholder.
Whatever change fits right for you, our online name change kit can help you change your name across your identity documents. Best of luck to you.
I'm recently married and live in NY. I have yet to change my name, but am thinking of taking my maiden name as my middle name or adding it as a second middle name.
This is clearly stated on the NY DMV website:
Regardless of the genders of you and your spouse, if your marriage certificate shows both your spouse's surname and your former surname, you may
-change your middle name to your former surname or
-choose a different middle name and
-change your surname to your spouse's surname
Hi Kate. NY laws governing the duties of city/town clerks specifies what's permissible for marriage-related surname changes, yet doesn't acknowledge other name change options (e.g., first, middle). NY town clerk's website does specify first/middle name changes are not permitted.
The NY DMV website appears to provide conflicting/confusing information, and it even has a typo in it's second bullet point. There's been NY stories of folks successfully changing their middle names, and tales of fail. Success cases typically revolve around meeting NY's 6 points for proof of name, such as the combination of your social security card and passport. But that's only if both documents have been updated with your preferred name. NY DMV even makes mention of these 6 points when it comes to name change options.
So, can it be done? Possibly, if you have the correct documentation, completed in the proper sequence, and the agent you're dealing with is knowledgeable of the rules and allows it.
The main question is, can this be accomplished with just a marriage certificate while not meeting the 6 points rule? At worst, that's not the case. At best, it's unclear. It's also one of those things that can vary by agent, location, and how persuadable one is insisting the necessary criteria has been met.
YES. Kate – It CAN be done now! I just did it at the DMV yesterday. Got married Nov 2, 2014. All they needed was my NYS marriage certificate showing my pre-marriage name and then my new surname on the line below, and a photo ID (old license) with my old name. That was it! I even got to decide if I wanted my full maiden-middle name printed, or just the initials (I have 2 because my birth name is hyphenated).
SO happy!
Hello,
My maiden name is hyphenated and my hope upon marriage was to drop the hyphen along with the latter part of my hyphenated last name and add my husband's last name separately. However, when applying for our marriage license in New York State I was told I cannot have two separate last names and I must hyphenate. Thus, our marriage certificate lists this new hyphenated last name. However, I'm trying to find out how to either: have the first part of my maiden name and my husband's name as two separate last names (without the hyphen), or change the first part of my maiden name to my middle name and take my husband's last name. Thank you in advance for any guidance/advice.
Hi Christa. This sort of name modification would have be accomplished by petitioning the court in order to eliminate the hyphen.
Hello. I got married earlier this year but haven't legally changed my last name yet. I've always wanted to legally change my first name and want to do it now so I only have to change all the documents once. I live in FL so I know I have to go through the court for the 1st name change. My question is will I have any problems when changing my last name to my husband's since my name on the marriage record will be different. Should I do one first or I can change at the same time. Thanks for your help on this.
Since you're going through the court system anyway, you can change both names simultaneously.
Hi!
I was hoping for some guidance.
I recently got married and want to take my husbands last name. I want to use my maiden name as a 2nd middle name but not really use it. I want to keep it for sentimental reasons but don't actually like the name so I want to be first name middle name married name for everything but legally have my maiden name as a second middle name. Is this possible? What would I be forced to include the full legal name (all 4) on? Would it be possible to leave the second middle name off of DL and passport or do they have to reflect the entire legal name? I live in New York if that helps.
Hi Alexandra. This is not possible in New York State when changing one's name due to marriage.
This this possible in the state of Minnesota? Have two middle names but really only use one?
Hi Katelyn. What do you mean by "only use one?" In what capacity?
Hi Valera!
I got married October 4 and we just got the marriage certificate back. My situation is unique – I've had my father's surname my entire life, but my sisters and I have also been referred to by my mother's maiden name. I do not wish to keep either my middle name or my father's surname; instead, I want to have my first name, my mother's maiden as my middle, and then my husband's last name. The social security form has a box for "other names used" and I put Mom's maiden name in there (since I do use it and I'm hoping this would circumvent a whole probate name change ordeal). Would this end up having to go to court as a name change, or is there a chance that I could just get everything changed at once? I live in Alabama.
Thanks!
Hi Becky. That's not likely to work, due to your constructing a new middle name not based upon your existing name record. Getting a court order is a surefire way to accomplish your preferred name combination.
I live in California, The DMV REFUSES to put just the intial for my middle name… which happens to be my Maiden name. For securely issue on my behalf… How do I go about changing my Drivers license to read { First name Middle Intial Last name } Without having to go to court to do a legal name change?
Appreciate your advise.
Hi Jessie. Not possible in California. Your driver's license requires your "true full name" be printed. By the way, after you update the name on your license, be sure to update your vehicle registration as well.
Hi. I live in PA and I just got married in Aug. I went to the SS office to change my name to First Maiden Married. No problem. Then came the DMV. They said I would have to get a court order to change it. So now my SS doesn't match my license. Is there a way around not going to court and giving the 3 documents? Do I need my new license to get a passport? Lastly, when I got married they put my maiden name on it. Is that normal? First Middle Maiden?? Thanks to any advice!!
Hi Erin. Have a look @Laura's comment for how she dealt with this issue by using her voter registration card.
I didn't change my middle name on my marriage certificate when we got it, but would now like to change my middle name to my Maiden name and take my Husband's name as my surname as I start this whole "name change process." Can I do this without changing the marriage certificate for my new social security card application even though my marriage license has my old middle name listed?
Hi Sam. You should be able to use it as-is. Marriage certificate amendments are typically reserved for mistakes (e.g., typos, omissions) on the part of your local vital records office, although such policy can vary from office to office.
Hello!
I guess I just need a bit of clarification so I can decide if I want to change my name. Hopefully you can provide insight.
I was married for 28 years (in Arizona) and my husband passed away 3 years ago. I have decided to get married again this December (in Arizona) and want to take my new husband's last name, but I also wish to to continue using the last name from my first marriage.
My question(s):
(1) Can I get married again and legally continue to use my first husband's last name on my ID, SSN, credit cards, etc.? How would the IRS view this?
(2) Is it a simple process in Arizona to change to a "hyphenated" last name and reflect that in all forms of ID?
(First) (Middle) (1st Marriage Last Name – New Marriage Last Name)
(3) Would it also be a simple process to have the 1st Marriage Last Name changed to a Second Middle so I do not have to hyphenate?
(First) (1st Middle) (2nd Middle from 1st Marriage Last Name) (New Marriage Last Name)
I am trying to envision all the legal complexities that can evolve with changing my name for a second time in life and how the change could impact my professional portfolio/certifications, need for new ID/passport, titles/records for real property, trust/estate planning, etc, etc, etc.
Yes, as long as you don't change your name.
Wouldn't matter, if you're not changing your name.
Yes.
For that particular dual middle name choice (one containing your prior husband's last), it's possible, although you may want to contact your local county clerks and/or vital records office for clarification citing that specific quad-name choice.
I live in PA and have been divorced and using my married name for quite some time. I really just want to drop my married name and use my middle as my last name. What is the first step?
Does your divorce decree have an order reinstating your preferred name? If not, you could contact your county clerk's office to see if they allow modifications to a divorce decree that didn't include a name change order. Keep in mind, such name change restorations (due to divorce) are typically for restoring a maiden name or a name one possessed prior to divorce.
If that pathway turns out to be closed to you, you'll have to petition the court for a general name change.
Hello!
Thanks so much for this website! It's been incredibly helpful. So we have decided to both take my last name as our second middle name and his last name as both of our last names. So I will have to add a second middle name and change my last name, while he will be adding a second middle name and not changing his last name. I have questions on this!
Me: First Middle Maiden Fiance's Last Name
Him: First Middle My Maiden His Last Name
I am from Washington state, he is from California, and we are currently living in Virginia for school (but we each still have our state driver's license and residency in our respective states) and we will be getting married in Las Vegas. I am having a super difficult time figuring out how to go about the process of changing our names, and if there would be a better state for us to do this in than others? Also, I know the process will most likely be more difficult for him, but I was wondering if there are any tips on what made this process work for them, if at all?
Thanks!!
Hi Heather. Your respective residencies preclude both of you from obtaining your preferred name change combination via marriage. You'd have to petition the court instead.
I live in Virginia and just got married in September, I want to add my maiden name as a second middle name, will I just need to go to the SSA and DMV in order to do this?
Hi B. Also bring along a certified copy of your marriage certificate.
This article was really helpful! I guess I am just confused on how to go about this name change. I live in Ohio, and I would like to use my maiden name as a second middle name. Is this going to involve crazy court costs and months of work? Do you know what the process is to start this name change? I am a teacher and would really like to keep my maiden name for all of my teaching records.
Hi Samantha. You would be looking at having to petition the court. It's not a complicated process, although it'll take a bit of time to complete. You'll have to contact your local courthouse regarding procedures and fees.
I live in california and i have the problem on my marriage certificate they put my First Middle Married instead of First Maiden Married the SS card went fine they put my maiden name but the DMV wont do it because of whats on the marriage certificate what should i do now
Hi Romelyn. If there's an error on your marriage certificate you can contact your vital records office to have a correction made. It's called an affidavit to amend a marriage record.
I live in new jersey. I have already 2 names, a middle name, and my maiden last name. When i got married, i dropped my original middle name and my maiden last name so that i only have my 2 names (april rose) and my husbands last name. My SS card went fine. My DL went fine. My professional license doesn't want to let go of my original middle name but no problems just dropping off my maiden last name. Is this something I can argue about to them since i have official IDs now that doesnt contain my original middle name and maiden last name? It's so frustrating. Anyone had this problem?
Yes, as your official IDs contain your legal name, which your professional license should reflect (if you prefer).
I am getting married and would like to drop my first name and just use my middle name and his last name is that legal to do without having to go through a name change? Can I make this change with Social Security?
Hi Amelia. First name changes would have to go through the court system.
Hello. I was married over a decade ago. When I divorced I kept my married surname because it seemed like more trouble than it really mattered at the time. I regret that decision. I will be getting married next year. I've been wanting to take my maiden name back for quite some time. I do not plan to change my surname to my future husbands when we marry. I've looked into it and here in indiana it will cost me around $300 to have it changed back before the marriage. My question is, if I get married, can I change my name back to my maiden name or is it only for changing your name to take on your husbands surname. I would much rather my maiden name be on my marriage certificate but if I can save $300, I'll live with it.
Hi Helene. You'll have to go the costly route, as what you're suggesting wouldn't be applicable for a marriage-related name change.
I live in New York and would also like to change my name to First Maiden Married when I get married this summer. I've heard about all the prior difficulties with that kind of name change in this state, but then ran across this recent article regarding a change in NY State DMV policy.
Has anyone tried this change recently?
I was wondering the same thing. Were you able to make this change? Also, if you did I was wondering how you filled out the marriage license.
YES!!! It worked today in NYC DMV!!! I'm SO happy. The guy said the rules have changed and, as you can see online with a little searching, all you need now is your marriage certificate (and old license) showing your pre-marriage name and then your new surname after marriage.
I actually did not want my full maiden name listed on my license because it's sort of funny – it's actually a hyphenated name (that i was given at birth), so the guy was totally fine with just putting my new middle name initials (R.M.)!
The craziest part is, i did not realize NYS allows this now until right after i went to the SSA last week and changed my card to my new last name but no maiden name included…so i am headed back tomorrow to (FINGERS CROSSED) correct my SS card the way i want my name to be forever. After that, I will apply for a new passport, and apparently (i spoke with 2 different passport people at the help number) they will print up my passport based on how i fill my name out on the application, and with a certified official copy of my marriage certificate to back it up.
wish me luck!!!
Dear Kate,
Thank you for sharing your story.
I live in NYC and want to have my maiden name as my middle name too. (Currently I don't have middle name)
I'm marrying very soon.
How did your SS card change go after you successfully changed your driver's license at DMV?
Did they correct it?
I couldn't open the NY state DMV policy, does anyone know the correct link?
On February 19, 2014, NYSDMV allowed you to change your middle name to your maiden name. The DMV will only require a marriage certificated to make this change. Thanks to NYS Assemblyman Daniel Buchwald for making this possible. See the article here: http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/David-Buchwald/story/56498/
From the NYSDMV Website regarding name change on license (http://dmv.ny.gov/driver-license/changing-name-or-non-address-information):
How do I change the name on my learner permit or driver license?
You must visit your local DMV office to change your first, middle, or last name. Bring all of the following
•a completed Application for Permit, Driver License or Non-Driver ID Card (MV-44)
•your current license or permit, or at least 6 points of proof of identity
•a US marriage certificate, US divorce documents or other court papers for a change of name issued in the US
Regardless of the genders of you and your spouse, if your marriage certificate shows both your spouse's surname and your former surname, you may
•change your middle name to your former surname or
•chose a different middle name and
•change your surname to your spouse's surname
The fee for your new permit or license is $12.50.
I got married nearly 3 years ago, in NJ & we live in NJ. I want to go from
First Middle Maiden
to
First Maiden Married
From all the other comments, it seems that I should do SS, Voter Reg, & Passport first, then Driver's License.
Professionally (I'm a physician), can I continue to use my Maiden name as my last (Dr. First Maiden), or must I change my professional licenses and all the documents that have to do me as a provider for various health insurances?
Thank you
Hi Linda. You'll have to check with your state board regarding licensing and your preferred name usage. If updates are required, are aliases allowed? Also, how will your name be printed within public records searches or open records requests?
I live in Washington State and I'm getting married in June and I currently have two middle names.
When I get married I want to use my new husbands last name as my last name and drop one of my middle names.
So I want to go from
First Middle Middle Maiden
TO
First Middle Married
Can I do that all at once or will I need to do two separate name changes?
Hi Mercedes. For WA, middle name change would require a court petition. You could conceivably change both names at once using that process, but the last name change wouldn't be tied to marriage and would just be considered an general name change. You could also do them separately—middle in court, last after marriage. It's up to you.
This is the most thorough source of name change info I have found on the web! So my wife would like to change all three of her names and go from:
First Middle Maiden
to
Middle Maiden Married
So there are 3 name changes! We have the marriage certificate to change the last name but SSA won't allow the middle to go to first on a married name change. So we also got a court order (in NC) to change her birth name from:
First Middle Maiden
to
Middle Maiden
Now…can we take both the marriage certificate and the court order to the SSA and change all 3 names at the same time? Or would we have to go 2 different times?
Thanks so much!
Yes, do it all together.
I live in TX. I won't be getting married until the end of this year, but came across this article, which has me very curious. I said "I Do" almost 15 years ago, received an annulment after 2 weeks of marriage, and a year stipulated as wait time. My SS card bears my married/annulled last name, though I have NEVER used it for ANY purpose, personal or professional.
I want to use my maiden last name as my middle name. Will I have to first change my SS card to reflect my actual maiden name?
Any guidance is appreciated. Thanks!
No. You can implement the change when you update your last name.
I live in NJ and when I got married in 2009 I dropped my maiden name and took my husbands name as my new last name – I did this with both DMV and SS. I want to add my maiden name back as my middle name. Is this possible? Where do I go first – DMV or SS? My passport has all my names: First, Middle, maiden and married names. Does that help to get my maiden name back on my license and SS card?
Yes.
Court petition, then SSN, then DMV.
No, that wouldn't factor into anything.
So I already have a hyphenated name from my mom and dad, but was never given a middle name at birth…what I want to do (I think) is legally make my current hyphenated last name my middle name and take my fiance's last name after marriage…
I live in NY and am not looking forward to this after reading all the hassle with NYS. Would it be any easier since I don't have a middle name to begin with?
Not really. It wouldn't make a difference whether you were modifying an existing or (in your case) non-existent middle name.
So im getting married and I would like to keep my last name as a second middle name. I plan on moving to virginia a few weeks after the marriage, and I currently live in new jersey. Is it wise to wait until I move to make the name change? or should I just change it now so that by the time I get , married its already changed?
Hi Sierra. Just to be clear. If you're changing it now (before you're married) then that's considered a general, adult name change. The name change process after marriage is simpler. So, whether you do it now or later, the end result is the same. You'll just have to decide which route to take.
This is the only article or blog I can find regarding the pros and cons of making your maiden name your middle name. I've been married for 12 years with a problematic hyphenated name, and I had only noticed recently that this is the simple fix to a lot of the problems with my name on accounts. One of these problems was when my husband answers the phone and he is asked are you Mr.(hyphenated name)?? Those calls always upset him. I'm going to go with the middle name rearrangement for my professional license.
I went today to s.s to change my name after marriage, and they refused to let me drop my middle name for my maiden name.. I live on Long Island, and never heard such nonsense before..
Hi Allison. While NY is comparatively flexible with last name change options, maiden to middle name change modifications are more stringent than most other states. This restriction you experienced is applied statewide.
I live in PA also, and went to the Soc Security office two weeks ago to have my maiden name replaced as my middle name, and they refused to do so without a court ordered document, even thought I had my marriage license. I finally went to PennDOT on Friday to get my license name changed to match my SS card (since my husband and I leave on our honeymoon in 5 weeks), and the PennDOT worker told me I could circumvent the court document requirement by changing my name on my voter registration card as well as either my bank account or my W-4 at work, and take those documents to the Soc Security office for a new card. I'm thinking I may have to wait until after the honeymoon due to time restrictions… I need to be able to board the plane. :)
Has anyone actually tried this yet? If so, were you successful, and how long did it take?
Hi Sarah. See @Laura's comment (preceding yours) which also mentions using the voter registration card as an acceptable supporting document.
I live in PA as well and changed my name at the SS office. I took my maiden name as my middle and my husband's last name as my last. The DMV will NOT change it without the below:
"If you desire to use any name other than 1) your birth name, 2) spouse's surname or 3) a name given by the court, you must provide a copy of a Social Security Card (or records), together with copies of documents from two other sources with the desired name such as: Tax Records, Selective Services Card, Voter Registration Card, Passport or any form of Photo ID issued by a governmental agency."
Now I'm kind of stuck because it seems like the other forms may need my license to change them? Any advice? So far I have my new SS card and tax documents with my new last name…I need one more.
Hello April! I am in EXACTLY the same boat as you. I would recommend using a Voter Registration Card as your third piece of evidence. I just applied for mine, it's a very simple form you mail in with your new name and address, as well as your previously registered name and address. They don't require any supporting documents, so it's OK if your passport and driver's license still have your maiden name on them.
Here is the site I used to get the form: http://www.votespa.com/
Then just mail it in and wait.
Good luck!
My wife and I married in RI almost 20 years ago. At the time, she chose to drop her middle name and replace it with her maiden name (taking my last name). She had no problems changing her SS card or Driver's License (and never had any trouble with any other state we moved to). However, when we moved to Nevada last year, they said they wouldn't honor the name on her SS card, marriage license or current (out-of-state) license because there was no court order showing she legally changed her middle name. The said we'd have to pay to have her name legally changed (which isn't all that cheap from what I've researched). So, now her SS card and Driver's license have different middle names and it is causing quite a hassle. Any advice?
Hi Scott. The Nevada DMV doesn't accept a marriage license as proof for authorizing a name change. You have to supply them with a certified copy of your marriage certificate. This can be acquired from your vital records office.
You're incorrect and are misunderstanding the comment.
Nevada DMV told me after 9/11 they can't drop the middle name on your birth certificate, regardless of your certified marriage license and new name on your social security card. You can put your new last name on there, but they have to hyphenate it. He told me I could sign it however I wanted. Such a pain.
My name on my GC that arrived included my mother's last name as my middle name, (shown as my middle intitial) and my last name as my father's last name and my husband's last name combined. All my other docs/ids are under my married name which is my first name, my middle name (my father's last name), and my husbands last name. Am I allowed to call USCIS to correct this or should I asked my lawyer to talk to them? Will this pose problems when I travel since obviously my passport and GC will not match.
Hi Lisa. You can try to contact the USCIS yourself to have a correction issued or have your attorney handle it. Whichever you prefer. You shouldn't face any travel issues as long as you can prove that you're the same person and entitled to both documents.
My wife and I were just married a few weeks ago. She went to the DMV yesterday and was told she could not use her maiden name for her middle name b/c of some July 2012 bill for security. I've never heard of anything and was trying to research why. Can't find anything. We live in the state of Georgia, USA, if that helps.
Hi Garrett. They're likely referring to the Real ID Act. It's a federal law that was passed around a decade ago, but has been deferred several times for various reasons. It's meant to be implemented in phases, although the majority of states aren't currently compliant. It ultimately comes down to the supporting document detailing the name change event.
A few questions. First, did your wife present a supporting document (e.g., marriage certificate) to the DMV? If so, was it a certified copy or church issued certificate? Second, did she change her name with the SSA first? If so, how long did she wait before going to the DMV?
Hi Valera,
Thanks for your response.
Yes, she did take a certified copy of the marriage certificate. She also had a certified copy of her divorce decree (issued 12/2/13, since the divorce took 3 years to become final) from her first marriage that reflected her name being restored to her maiden name.
To avoid having to change her name with government agencies twice in two months, she just waited until our marriage was legalized to do it all at once. Her Drivers license had her original married name, but our marriage certificate showed her maiden name, since the divorce decree had shown its legal restoration.
She went to the DMV first and hasn't been to SSA yet.
Thank you for your help.
Do the SSA first, then return to the DMV. Georgia's DMV specifies that a valid SSA document can be used to prove the current name along with an additional supporting document showing the new name (e.g., bank/credit card statement, property tax bill, W-2 form, tax return). If you don't have any such supporting document contact the DMV to inquire what other document they'll accept.
Thank you very much for your help!
The SSA changed it correctly by mail without any issues. Then upon returning to the DMV they insisted on going by the "Federal Law" that wouldn't allow the change to happen as desired but after speaking with another employee it was straightened out but not easily.
Thank you again!
I have a first, middle and last name. I am getting married. Is it possible to add my new married name to my current name without using a hyphen? I know I will probably have to change my drivers license, ss card and passport. What I'm trying to avoid is having to change my bank accounts, payroll checks, etc. Also, can airline tickets be booked in either last name if there's no hyphen?
Yes.
Your airline ticket must match your identification. For domestic flights, the name on your I.D. must match your ticket. For international flights, the name on your passport must match your ticket. It's unlikely the airline will be hoodwinked as they'll cross-reference your name and its divisions (first, middle, last) with the TSA.
You can take a look at the following maiden or middle name on passport article for additional details.
I changed the SS with no problem to maiden name as my new middle name. I have submitted my passport now for a name change to include my maiden name as my middle name. I also included a copy of my SS card. I am completely worried that they will put my former middle name on my new passport. Has anyone been able to get maiden as new middle on passport?
Thanks
Hi DJ. I think you're worrying yourself unnecessarily. As long as you've filled out the form specifying your maiden name as your new middle name and included the proper documentation along with your application (as you appear to have done), you should be fine.
I live in NYC and will be getting married in February.The state won't let me drop my middle initial and use my "would be" maiden name as my middle name because my IDs all have my middle initial on it. It is frustrating. What should I do in order to have my last name as my new maiden name and also add my fiance's last name? If I petition later to change it after marriage, then do I have to request a new copy of the marriage license also with the petitioned name change? Please any advice would be greatly appreciated.
You'll have to go through a court-petitioned name change.
No. You'll use the document the court provides to facilitate your name change.
Hi, I am from Brazil and I just got married in august , my husband is American, we did all the immigration process and in the interview which was on Dec 10 the officer ask how I would like to have my name on the green card and I said I wanted to eliminate my middle name and use my maiden name as a new middle and my husband's name as a last name, she said ok and week later I received my GC with my full old name plus my husband's last name, they just added his…….now I made an appointment with immigration to go in January, what do I say to them? they will do the way I want it?
Hi Marcia. Are you saying they made a mistake? If so, you can request a correction.
Yes they made a mistake but I want to know if I can have my maiden name as a middle name and my husband's as a last name…..ex: MARCIA GONCALVES DE SILVA (before marry) can become : MARCIA SILVA SMITH….Smith is my husband's., so I would eliminate goncalves de, and keep Silva as new middle name and add my husband's name Smith….Is it possible ?
You can shift your names around as you prefer as long as you're not in one of the states specified at the end of the article. You'll still need to get your green card corrected though.
Thank you
I live in california ahve you heard the passport and ssn process first then dmv work for anyone?
Hi Isabel. It's advisable to do SSN before DMV.
So this is definitely what I want to do when I get married next month. I live in Idaho, but we're getting married in Nevada. I have already applied for my license online to speed the process when we get to Las Vegas. When we're done with the ceremony, I've been told by the Nevada Marriage Bureau that I will need to request a copy of my marriage certificate after I get home. They said that the certificate will only have my current maiden name (first, middle, maiden name) on it to show that I married my fiance. At what point then do I get my name changed to having the maiden name as the middle name? The SS office told me that they will use whatever is on my marriage certificate. Do I get my SS card first or my Drivers License first? Kind of confused on the process here and WHEN exactly I request that my name will be changed. Advice?
Correct. You'll contact the state's vital records office to request a certified copy be mailed to you. They'll charge a processing fee, but so does every other records office. Be sure to check it for errors, and request an amendment if you find any.
That's Nevada's prerogative. Every state does it differently.
When you change it with the SSA.
I don't know what your local office is going on about, so I can't speak for them. The marriage certificate serves as proof that you're married and that you can legally use the last name of your spouse. Your spouse's last name would also be on the certificate.
SS then DL. It may be a good idea to space them out by at least a day as the DMV may access the SSA database to see that you've initiated a matching name change request. This buffer provides time for such data changes to propagate.
I just got married and changed my middle name to my maiden name and took my husband's last name. I live in PA and had absolutely no problems doing this with SS or the DMV (PennDOT). They accepted my maiden name as my new middle name, no issues whatsoever.
If you don't mind me asking what ID did you use? I just tried to change my middle name to my maiden name (i live in pa as well) and they refused it. Penndot told me I had to get a court order to change my name. So now my SS card and drivers license don't match :-( ugh!
Hi Jill,
I live in PA and am trying to do the same thing – would you mind telling me how you did it? I called the court system and they said I had to do a full petition to get my maiden name as my middle name before I can go to SS or PennDOT. Please let me know. Thanks!!
I used my maiden name as my middle name but now want to drop the maiden name to use my middle name, would I have to go through the courts to do so?
Yes, you will, due to your already having changed your name before. Now, I'm assuming you actually did undergo a formal name change and now you're looking to legally undo it. If that's not the case please clarify.
I did not legally change my name. When I got married I dropped my middle name and started using my maiden name
In that case, as long as you're not a resident in one of the six excluded states listed in the article, you don't have to go through the courts. Just initiate a regular marriage-related name change.
Well I already have two middle names as is. I want to know if i can add my maiden name to a middle name, thus having three middle names, five names total. I would want to put my maiden name as my "one" middle name on all official documents. Has anyone heard or seen this?? I got married almost one year ago and have been putting it off due to the crazy amount of time it requires and well, I really don't want to find out that I have to give up any of my names. I do want to take on my husbands name by I'm very proud of my maiden name as it holds a lot of history.
Any advice??
Three middle names is exceptionally rare. As you have two middle names, I'm sure you've experienced the potential difficulties and confusion it can cause. Three names would compound that.
One thing to think about (and we're getting a bit into the weeds here) is if your name will fit on your driver's license. A month and a half ago there was a story of a woman whose name was too long for her driver's license and how she clashed with the DMV to get the length limitations relaxed.
Now, I highly doubt you'll be facing any such character length limit, but since I don't know what your actual name is comprised of, it doesn't hurt to throw this out there just incase.
I live in New York and wanted to move my maiden name to my middle name. I saw a tip online that if you change your passport and SS card first, then the NY DMV will let you proceed without having to petition the courts. I just tried it this morning and it worked for me, so hopefully it would work for other New Yorkers!
Erica, will I get a marriage license with a maiden name in place of the middle name?
Sergio, you can specify your preferred name sequence on your marriage license.
Thanks for chiming in with your in-office experience. I've heard of other New York success cases for those going the SSN & passport before DMV route, although there's also been a mixture of let-downs. Still, something worth considering.
So with your SS card as proof you were able to get your maiden name as your middle name on your passport??
Hi Erica,
I just saw your post – can you let me know what you did and what you needed to get the passport and SS card with the new middle name without going to the court first?
Thanks! Brooke