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. I'm getting married soon and am considering simply adding my fiancé's last name to mine with a space in between. If I do this will I be able to avoid having to change all ID cards and documents since I still legally have my maiden name or will the new word addition cause a problem? Thank you.
Hi Duygu. You will have to update all your necessary documents to reflect the change.
If you are married but,was not able to go get social security card changed can you go back to maiden name while married for legal purposes
Hi Betty. If you weren't able to get your name changed, then wouldn't your maiden name still be your current, legal name? If so, then what are you attempting to change from?
I was recently married last month and I would like to change my name to my husband's. Problem is we have airline tickets booked forMarch. The airline says I cant change the name on the ticket. I was thinking of changing my name with SS but leaving my DL as maiden until after I fly. Would this be unlawful and cause potential problems at the airport when going through security? Or will they not know? I dont want to do anything illegal. Thanks.
Hi Natalie. You should be fine. Folks waiting to change their name (due to travel) is a common thing. Take a look at this which name on your passport article which delves into this very issue. I assume you're traveling domestically, so ignore the passport remarks and focus on the subsection that discusses domestic travel.
I got married back in 2000. I never changed my last name legally through SS after that. However, years ago when me and my husband (we are legally separated since 2001 due to he abandoned me and our daughter and was abusive) moved to a different state during that time, when we were getting new drivers liscense in that state he got upset at me for not using his last name. So to keep him from getting upset, I wrote down my last name as his. The lady at the DMV during that time didn't mind and all she asked was "well are you both married?" I said "yes". So she went through and let me use his last name. To make a long story short, all this time for the last 12 years I have had to use his last name on my drivers liscense when infact I still never legally changed my last name to his last name. So now it's affecting my tax forms. I have asked (when moving to different states when filling out a DMV drivers liscense renewel) if I can just put my legal maiden last name and they all tell me "no" (when infact my married name has never been legal in the first place). They all tell me I have to legally change my last name to his last name first before legally changing back to my maiden name (which I can't do because I still to this day has NEVER changed it legally to his last name anyway!).
So…what are my choices?
continued….also, because I never changed my last name to his last name (legally-even though we are technically still legally married because I havn't been able to find him to get a divorce and other reasons-long story), my tax information has always stayed the same. He ripped up the marriage certificate years ago in a argument but I do have the original papers when he first tried filing for divorce after he left us back in 2002. But again, I feel that I am stuck using his last name over one simple "writing it down" at a DMV YEARS ago without even legally changing it in the first place. How do I get the permission to just use my legal maiden name on my drivers lisense without having to legally change it to his last name first (since I never legally changed my last name to his anyways)???
Hi R R. A few things. If you're looking to get a divorce but can't locate your spouse, you can inquire with the court how to get permission to publish a notice of divorce in your newspaper or courthouse. It's typically called a Motion to Serve by Publication or Posting.
You may also want to look into filling out an Affidavit of Identity form confirming your current name/identity.
Finally, you can visit your local Social Security Administration office and request a "Numident record" printout which can be used to confirm your current legal name.
Before doing all this, you can contact your DMV if these things will be acceptable identity documents to facilitate the correction of your name on your drivers license. If not, what identity document(s) would they accept.
I am in the process of divorcing and I am pregnant as well but my soon to be ex is not the father. Am I able to change my name back to my maiden before the divorce is finalized so that my child's birth certificate will have my maiden name rather than my married?
I am located in Florida
Hi Nicki. You'd have to opt for a court petitioned name change.
With that said would I so be able to put the real father's name on the birth certificate because I believe I may end up having the baby before my divorce is finalized.
Yes.
Hi there!
Question for you folks!
Greencard holder since March 2013, Married in October 2014.
My current legal maiden name is (fake names): Mary Jane Smith
I would like to change it to: Jane Smith Jones : in order to keep my maiden name and add on my new married name.
I understand I need to go to the state court to change this since its more than just adding my husband's name. My immigration lawyer suggested I change it legally first, apply for new Green Card, and once the card gets in (4-6 months) go through the process of changing everything else, SSN, drivers license, foreign passport, etc.
My question is: can I continue to use my maiden name Mary Jane Smith, even though it has legally been changed to Jane Smith Jones?
I ask because I am in the middle of applying for business licenses that I need and can't wait 4-6 months for. Not sure what order I should be doing all of this in.
Thanks folks!
Or, in all sincerity, should I just wait until I apply for citizenship to legally change my name?
Your name's not legally changed until you update your records with institutions such as the SSA and driver's license office. If you get a court ordered name change, but don't do anything further, your name is still what it was before the court order. You have to do the legwork of changing it with the necessary organizations, or else it all remains the same. In that case, it would make sense to continue using your current name until you've changed it for real.
I'm employeed and married I use my maiden name. My SS it listed under my maiden name my DL is hyphenated a combo both mines and his last name. I applied for another company for employment. I was hired contingent upon me changing either my SS to add my husbands last name to match my DL or either I drop my husbands name to match my current SS with currently has only my maiden name. But as it stands my DL and my SS do not match. It's never been a problem and I currently work for the state an the stipulation are not so high. Is this real? Can an employer bare down on me like that. It feels wrong please add insite
Without knowing the rationale behind your employer's motivations, in general, an employer can be concerned with an employee's name inconsistency when it comes to tax filing. An employee's name on an employer's document (such as a W-2) needs to match what's on file with the Social Security Administration. SSA and the IRS sync name records, so if your employer's data doesn't match what the IRS has it can be a problem.
If the name on your employer's documents is your maiden name, then that matches your SSA and IRS record. Do you know why they need require your driver's license to match? Would an alternative form of identification be satisfactory?
Hello,
I just got my citizenship certificate. During the process I requested to change my maiden name to my husbands last name because if was going to request to get him a recidents card. But the day of my oath ceremony I found out stuff. Is there any way I can change his last name back to my maiden name??
Hi Claudia. Citizenship certificate name changes are handled by the USCIS.
I live in Oklahoma and I just recently got married. I wanted my last name is as middle name but the DMV wouldn't allow that so now my SSI card and license don't match. I was able to get my name change fine with the SSI. I'm not sure what to do at this point. Will the SSI allow me to change the name on my card to match my license. I really want to keep my last name but if I have to go through all this trouble then I'm going to drop it.
Hi Shelly. That's odd, considering the Oklahoma driver's license website specifies a "former surname" as a recognized middle name option. You may want to request clarification regarding the conflicting information between the clerk and the state government's website.
Hi,
I got married three years ago. My marriage license has my maiden-husband name hyphenated. (Rosy Smith-Doe). I have not changed any of my IDs, SS, or bank accounts, nothing. Now my passport needs renewing. Do I have to use the name on my marriage license or can I use my maiden name still? Thanks!
You can still use your maiden name.
Good day, Valera!
My partner and I just obtained a marriage license in NY and I have opted to change my name (hyphenated). We will be marrying in a few days. Now I feel like reverting back to my name as is for practical reasons and convenience. Can I still make those changes? If I can, what's the process involved?
Hi MJ. Since you haven't yet married, you don't need to do anything. Just don't go forth with formally changing your name and nothing will change.
I am recently married and want to retain my first, middle and last name. If I add my husband's last name as a second last name (no hyphen):
Is that allowed? (I'm in Arizona)
Does that mean I can go as either/or/both last names?
My name is important to me, but I'm willing to add his if I can still preserve my identity for day to day purposes (bank, credit card, checks, etc)
Hi Cara. You can contact your county clerk's office regarding last name options. You'll have to go by both names on formal/legal documents.
I had lost my divorce decree documents from my divorce in 1982, which I have already ordered and have received back from the court. I required the decree so that I could correct my surname on my Social Security and Medicare records, which, for reasons spelled out below, I had failed to do at the time of the divorce.
Unfortunately, upon receiving the divorce decree (certifed) copy, I discovered that the court had made a clerical error and had failed to check the box in the court's portion ("For Court Use Only") of the final decree/order, wherein they should have restored my maiden name, which I had requested on the petition (California Superior Court, Alameda County).
The divorce was an uncontested Summary Dissolution. Never having discovered the error, I began using my maiden name, which I now have been using for 32 years; on my driver's license, tax returns, work records, credit cards, bank accounts..you name it. I only became aware 2 years ago, that it had not been changed with Social Security, but had thought my legal name was my maiden name and that I had just failed to change it with Social Security (since it's been 32 years, I can only guess that, at the time, I must have been thinking it would be changed automatically…young and dumb).
I still, at the time I divorced, had my old Social Security card with my maiden name so, being unaware of the need for chaging my surname with SS, I began using that card, instead of the card that had my married name, and because it's been 32 years, I had forgotten all about all of this until SS refreshed my memory. (It may also have been selective memory, as the person I divorced was not a nice person…violent, on drugs, and an alcoholic, and I had no further contact with him after the divorce.)
Social Security had told me at the time that I applied for retirement benefits, that the incorrect name would not effect my payments (I couldn't afford the fees required to get copies of the decree until recently), because the SS payments are automatically deposited by SS number, rather than name. However, now that I am eligible for Medicare, my name is not matching my State Medicaid and Social Services records, which, even though so far, has not created any problems, I fear it may cause problems with my prescriptions, doctors, etc., as I have ben, and am still, being treated for cancer, and the medications and followup doctor visits are now being covered by Medicare (under my married name), with the secondary coverage through my State's Medicaid, which is under my maiden name. Therefore, I feel it safer to correct the court clerical error to restore my maiden name to avoid any legal problems.
When speaking with the court clerk, I was advised to file an Ex Parte Application for Restoration of Former Name After Entry of Judgement. However, because it was a clerical error by the court, and because I have been using my maiden name for 32 years, I feel that the court should correct the error non pro tunc, since it may cause legal problems when it is discovered that I used the wrong name when obtaining State unemployment, Medicaid, and EBT benefits, among other things (although it was inadvertent on my part).
To complicate matters further, I no longer live in the State where the marriage and divorce took place, and I'm financially and physically unable to travel to that State to appear in court.
Which route would be easier to take to correct the record; filing the Ex Parte, or a non pro tunc? (If non pro tunc, what form would I use, and would that require a court appearance?) (FYI: I also cannot afford a filing fee, so am filing a fee waiver with whichever document requires a filing fee.
I thank you in advance for any advice you are able to give me and apologize for any confusion, as this is such a complicated situation, I felt it necessary to include as much detail as possible.
*Sorry, I meant nunc pro tunc, not non pro tunc.
Hi Valerie. Filing a motion for nunc pro tunc may necessitate the hiring of a trained paralegal to help you draft it, so the suggested Ex Parte Application may be the more straightforward path. You may want to consult with an paralegal or attorney for advise. Or at least contact the courthouse and pose these question to them. As for the nunc pro tunc form, you'd have to contact the court to specify which form it is and how to acquire it—it may be downloadable.
Hey I got married a year and 7 month ago. I looked on my marriage license and I didn't add my husbands last name. How do I go about adding his last name to my name? I want it to be Linda Rogers – Johnson. And another question if I change my name on my Social Security card and my drivers license do I have to give my car insurance place my new name?
If you're talking about amending your marriage license, then it's unlikely you'll be able to do that unless there's a mistake on it (such as a typo). If you're talking about officially changing your name, then use your marriage certificate to facilitate it—it serves as proof of marriage.
If your insurance company isn't aware of your marital status, it's important to notify them. Keep in mind, it can have an effect on your premiums. If they're already aware of your marriage, but not your name change, it still makes sense for them to update your record so that it matches your drivers license.
Hi Valera,
I got married in 8/2014 and I wrote a name change (to my husband's last name) on the marriage certificate. However, now I want to resume my maiden name because I don't want to go through the whole complicated name change process for all of my legal documents (DL, SS, bank, work…etc.). I am still married with my husband, not separated or divorced. I have not used or updated my married name on any of my legal documents yet. Can I just go to the marriage lisence office to resume my maiden name? Or Can I just keep using my maiden name since all my legal documents are still in my maiden name ? the marriage certificate is the only document that shows I signed for a name change. Is it illegal to keep using my maiden name despite the name change request on the marriage certificate? If I want to resume my maiden name legally, where do I have to go, and what do I have to do?
Please help me
Thank you very much!!!
Hope to hear from you soon
Chi
Not necessary. Not applicable.
Yes. Your legal name is still your maiden name.
No.
You don't have to go anywhere. You don't have to do anything. Keep using it as you always have, as your name hasn't changed.
Hi Valera,
Thank you so much for your help. If one day (maybe when I have kids), I decide to change to my husband last name as stated in the marriage certificate. Can I use my marriage certificate to do that or there is a time limit on it base on the date on the certificate?
You are very helpful, and I really appreciate it !!!
Thanks again
Happy Halloween!!!
Chi
Yes, you'll still use your marriage certificate if you decide to change your name several years down the road.
There's no time limit.
Hi I renew my indian passport but I didn't put my spouse name on it.I am going to travel in few weeks. Can any one tell me do I need my spouse name on my passport.
Hi Nikki. This doesn't appear to be a required field on Indian passports. You can contact the Passport and Visa Division for confirmation as well as inquiring the turnaround time to reissue a passport that adds a spouse's name.
I recently got married and on my marriage licence it has my first name and my new last name is my maiden name and my husband last name no hyphen. Example: Yulisa John Paul (John Paul is my new last name). I am planning on changing my name on my SS card and I was wondering if I always have to have John Paul on all documents or can I use either John, Paul or both depending on the document.
Hi Yulisa. At a minimum, use both last names on government and legal documents.
Hi all,
I just changed my last name to my husband's last name. But after doing it, I realized that I want to add my maiden name to my middle name so that my name is First Middle Maiden MarriedLastName. Can I just make the change using my marriage certificate or do I have to get a court order? I'm in New Jersey.
Thank you!!
Whether you changed your married name or not, middle name modifications in New Jersey require petitioning the court.
I had to wait 3 months before my caseworker finally changed my maiden name to my married name, and I have a doctor appointment coming up soon. Do I have to wait for new Medicaid cards before I can go to the doctors? She just changed it!
Hi Tammy. You should be fine with your old cards (for now) as it's unlikely your member number has changed. It's still worth phoning your doctor's office in advance to alert them your situation.
I am really confuse. I want to change the name of my 2 months old baby. the old name appears on all document including passport. less than 2 weeks we would be traveling out of the state. the process to change all documents would take 8 weeks, would there be any implications if I travel with the passport having the old name and having the new birth certificate as a back up. I am really confuse please help me.
You shouldn't face any difficulties. It's not uncommon for passport name changes to be deferred due to time constraints. While not strictly related to children, you may still want to review the which name on your passport topic which delves into the rationale of waiting to update a passport until after travels are completed.
I changed my name when I got remarried last June. I'm now having reservations because for 23 years I used my ex-husbands last name and have established myself personnally and professionally. I'm going back to school to earn my masters and hopefully Ph.D. and would like for everything to be consistent. If I changed my last name so that it is ex-husband (hyphen) current husband could I use my ex's name except for on legal documents (bank, credit cards, etc)??
Yes, you could use it precisely in that way.
Hello.
I am in a rather delicate situation. I moved to the US and got married almost a year ago and I changed my name into my husband's. I did not know that I could hyphen my maiden name and my husband's name. Now that I know about it, I would like to know how I could do so on my DL and Green Card ? Do I need to change the name on my SSC too ? if so do I need any specific legal paper ?
Thank you
Hi Uma. If you've already undergone a name change, you'll have to go through a court petition to change it again.
Hello, i have a question. If i take my spouse's last name on marriage certificate, can i still keep unmarried last name on other docs, ssn, DL etc? Will there be any future problems renewing DL? Thanks in advance for Your advice.
Yes, because just specifying a new name on your marriage certificate doesn't actually change your name in any official capacity.
No, as your name would be the same as it was on your previous license.
hi hi,
i changed my name at my naturalization to first maiden-married. My US passport is in my new name "first maiden-married" Now i am having second thoughts and I want to keep all documents in my maiden name, do i need to make any name changes with driver's license or ssn?
i have another question, it's important to my husband that i take his name so i did the hyphenated name, is it too late to go by "first married"? would i need to go to court to make this change?
Hi Chantal. You can contact the USCIS regarding the procedure to revert to your maiden name.
Thank you so much for responding!
Since the naturalization certificate is hyphenated maiden-married, can i use first married? Or would I need to go to court to have the change made?
Im married, seperate maybe 30 days, I hate my husbands last name and him for that matter, can I use the same marriage cert to change ss card ,dl, and other stuff. ?.back to maiden without a divorce??
Not if you've already used it to carry out a previous name change.
Hi I'm getting divorced in ohio and it will be final November 6. My fiancé and I would like to get married soon after before he gets deployed. Do I have to change my drivers license back to my maiden name before we can obtain our marriage license?
No.
My partner and I are finally allowed to marry in Oklahoma. We each carry our ex-husbands' last names but want to return to our respective maiden names. Can we do that by signing our maiden names on the signature lines of the new marriage license?
Hi Jenny. Reverting to your maiden names would involve petitioning the court. It's a pretty straightforward process. Your county clerk's office can detail the necessary paperwork and procedure you'll need to complete.
I got married in August. I am just now ready to start the process of changing my name (UGH!). My marriage certificate says that I have taken my husband's last name. I am wondering if it is OK to hyphenate my name for my SS card or go by two last names, my maiden and married without a hyphen. I am having a hard time with the idea of completely dropping my maiden name.
So, my question is: Does my SS card needs to match what is on my marriage certificate?
Hi Sarah. That shouldn't be a problem. What's important is what the document represents, which is proof of marriage.
I got married in 2012 and avoided changing my name because I was torn as to what to change it to. I finally decided on keeping both my maiden and married last names, no hyphen (FirstName MaidenMiddle MaidenLast MarriedLast). It's been a month now, and I am having regrets about my decision and want to consolidate now to having just my married last name (and making my maiden name a middle name). Do I have to go through an entire formal name change appeal with the court? Or can I just take my marriage certificate back to the SS office and have them update it that way?
Hi Julia. If you've already changed your name with the SSA, then you'll have to go through the courts to change it again to something else.
Hi , I am still on my ex partner mortgage documentation , he needs me to sign for a new product for him in my maiden name , I however have. Got martied in last couple years and taken my husbands surname and changed passport etc so legally can I sign this documentation in my maiden name without any repercussions , the bank have said I can but would like confirmation this is correct
Hi Lesley. Based upon your description, it shouldn't be a problem, as 1) you're getting the go ahead from your bank, 2) all parties are aware that both names represent the same person (you), and 3) there isn't an attempt to commit fraud.
Thank you for your help .
I have a two part question.
One – according to my birth certificate my middle is spelled Rani, on every other legal document (DL, W-2s, taxes) it is spelled Renee. When I was married five years ago I used Renee on the marriage certificate. Which is considered my official legal spelling?
Two- When I was married I chose to hyphenate my maiden last name with my husband's last name. That is how I signed the marriage certificate. I did not, however, change my name in any other capacity and have continued to use my maiden name. I would now like to officially change my last name to my husbands and it seems I will need to file a court petition here in NE. Taking into account the issues with my middle name, how would I list my current legal name on the court documents?
The spelling on your social security record, which should match your birth certificate.
Same as above.
You may have done a "common law" name change to the Renee spelling. Either way, the important thing is to be consistent from here on out – and if you want to go with Renee you could contact the vital records department of the state you were born in and they may be able to amend/note the correct spelling if you've consistently used it since early childhood. If you want to go with Rani then update all those other documents.
I got married almost 3 months ago and I am pregnant. I have been using my medi-cal insurance card using my maiden name for all my appointments and I havent reported that I changed my last name. I still haven't got around to pick up my marriage certificate so I haven't changed my last name on my DL, SSC, ect.. Do I have to report it to my insurance?
Yes, it is a good idea to inform your insurance company of your name change so that they can update their records and issue you a new card.
I was unsure about changing my name when I got married two months ago but wound up taking my spouses name on our marriage certificate. I now do not want to change my name at all and have been doing everything under my maiden name as usual since we got married. Does the marriage certificate (in California) require me to change my name? I haven't changed it with social security or the dmv/passport – only the marriage certificate. Can I just ignore it? Does not changing it effect the legality of the marriage?
No.
Yes.
No.
Hi there,
Maybe you could help me out. :)
I came to the US in a F-1 visa and got married May 2014. Our marriage certificate has my maiden name and for USCIS docs I applied with my 2 Maiden + Husbands Last Name without getting a court name change. When my work permit arrived it had my 2 Maiden + Husbands Last Name all in the "last name" area, no middle names, no problems. If my previous names were, for example, Scott and Smith, my name would look like Laura Scott Smith Milton. But when I went to get a SSC the lady warned me that my last name was too long for the system. She sent my info as 2 Maiden names all together with no spaces between them + space + my husbands last name ( Ex: Laura Scottsmith Milton). And that's what my SSC looks like now. Appartently having 3 last names is uncommon in the US but very normal in my home country, I was very surprised and chocked. Now I don't really know what to do since starting the process all over again would cost me about $400 or more. I believe this name error will cause me problems in the future and it is making me very anxious because my husband thinks it is not a problem.
That made me realize I should have not adopted my husband's name in the fist place since now I probably would also have to spend money and time changing my home country's passport and other documents. Also it probably wouldn't have brought problems with my new US docs.
Or that I should have dropped my maiden name at all and adopted my husband's name making a legal court name change before all those papers. I'd have loved that. But some people say that would bring me problems if we ever decided to get me citizenship.
Thanks for your help and attention.
Best Regards,
Laura.
Hi Laura. It's a database character limit/standard set by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). You're not along in having a name that's too long for your SS card.
i got married in 1993 and wrote on the marriage cert that I would be First Name, Maiden (middle), Married (Last). I kept using my maiden name while I worked as a lawyer, then changed everything after I left work to be a stay at home mom. As soon as I went back to work, I started using my maiden name.
Since now everything is legal in my married name, can I still look for jobs in my maiden name? It is how people know me professionally. I write a new resume (in a job search now) that has First Miaden (Married) just in case someone knows me under married name, which i used socially for 20 years.
Such a mess, I am sorry I ever used my married name, but do not want to go through formal name change court documents. Am I ok leading this bifurcated life?
Advice to all is never change to your married name if you like it and already are known by it pretty well professionally. (For what it is worth. Plus my married name is much harder to spell)
Thanks so much.
Lost in Resume Hell
You could, although an area where it may become an issue is if an employer runs customary background checks. It would result in a name mismatch. This is something you'll just have to explain. Your ultimate employer would also likely need your full legal name on file for payroll and taxes.
I've been married to my husband for 24 years. My Virginia driver's license has my married name, as does my bank account. However, my SSN is still in my maiden name (therefore I sign my married name on our tax returns). Which one is my legal last name? We are about to move to Pennsylvania and I would like to have everything under my maiden name if this is possible. What do I need to do? I thought about changing my name on Virginia driver's license to my maiden name prior to the move, but it appears that I need some documentation to support a name change (although I provided none 24 years ago when I got the Virginia driver's license). I feel like I'm in limbo with two last names. Is it possible to use my maiden name on everything, or must I make the switch to my husband's name? Please advise me on how to proceed with this properly. Thanks so much!
An addendum to my above post – I do not have my physical Social Security card. I need to get a replacement. I'm worried this will be a problem since my photo ID (driver's license) is in my married name. I do have an official copy of my birth certificate showing my maiden name. I don't have access to my marriage certificate at the moment. Thanks for your help!
It shouldn't be a problem getting a replacement from your SS office. Other forms of identification are accepted. Explain your situation about how your drivers license was modified while your SS record was not.
Maiden name, as SSN record takes precedence.
Nothing, as your name hasn't officially changed.
Name change isn't required. You can maintain your maiden name or switch to another.
Thank you!
Hi Valera,
I got divorced last year and I decided to go back to my maiden name (it is changed on my divorce decree. Since I added my ex husband's name to my last name, I just dropped his name). However, I never changed anything on my SS card, driver's license, passport, etc. These documents still have my old married name. Now, I am getting married again soon and my fiance and I are going to apply for a marriage license in Florida. Which last name should I provide to the court when I apply for the license: my maiden name (since it was changed on the divorce decree) or my old married name that still appears on my driver's license, SS card?
Also, I will be taking my future husband't last name, which documents should I provide to the SS administration and driver's license office to reflect all the changes?
Thank you for your help!
Warm regards.
Your old married name, as that's still your current legal name.
Your new marriage certificate, once you receive it.
Is there a conflict when i renew my phil. passport with my married name even my green card is in my maiden name.. thanks
Hi Leah. You may be able to renew it as-is, although it's recommended that you try to get your documents in-sync with one another.
Hi, my case is too confue, In my citizenship interview (July 2014) the officer told me my current legal name is Maria Volk (my married name) but I explained I never used it, in my marriage certificate I agreed to change my nAme but I did not change my legal documents. I have my order court for name change from Maria Volk to Maria Morales. (my maiden name ). On monday I went to Social security to update my status from Resident to U.S Citizen and I asked about it, he told me I can change my maiden name to married name whenever I want because I never changed with them.
In short, my maiden name is the same since I came to USA in all my legal documents ( U.S. Passport, sentri card, SS, DmV) my question is after 7 years of marriage, Can I Take my husbands last name only with marriage certificate? thank you
Hi Maria. Yes, name change can be facilitated with your certificate and document providing proof of your identity (e.g., drivers license).
Hi,
My fiance and I are getting married this October. On our marriage license, it states my first name, my maiden last name, and my soon-to-be husband's last name. After reading about the hassle of name changing and all the trip to SS, DMV, Passport, etc. I was wondering If I can just still use my maiden name and not change anything except for Marital Status on all documents such as tax, payroll and insurances? I also recently got my green card and it's under my maiden name. Hope to hear from you soon. Thanks!
Yes, you can. Name change is optional. If you do nothing, your maiden name will remain in place as it has been.
hi, I got my greencard with wrong middle name? what should I do? im going home in our country but my middle name in greencard different in my passport.someone can advice me?
Hi Florence. If your green card has a mistake, you can contact USCIS for a correction. You'll typically have to submit the I-90 form and choose "my existing card has incorrect data" as the reason for submission.
On the marriage certificate I agreed to name change with my husbands last name. However, I did not change my legal documents. We are going through a divorce which name should I file. The new name in my marriage certificate or the maiden name I am currently using?
Hi Tere. You'd use your maiden name, as you have never legally changed it.
I am a professional artist and have been using my first two initials with my maiden last name as my art business name. My name is my brand. I would like to take on my fiancés last name but don't want to drop my first, middle or maiden name, as they are essential to my branding. Can I just tack his last name onto my current name? Can I have 4 names? I'm not particularly fond of his last name (It's very hard for me to pronounce), but would like for us to have the same last name. What is the best way to not lose my brand and clientele but still take on my fiancés last name? Would it be best to not change my last name and just introduce myself socially with his last name? I've heard it can get really confusing when using your given name as a business name and using a married name socially. I'm getting married in 2 months and don't know what to do.
Hi Liz. One option is to register your "brand name" as a DBA and use that for all professional purposes.
I recently got married, and I'd like to take my husband's name, but also keep mine. Do I need to submit a name change petition to add his name to mine? So my name would read: Amy Middle Maiden Married. If not a name change petition, can I simply add it on SS, DL, etc?
Hi Amy. You can just undergo the regular married name change route.
Hi, don't know if you can help or if this makes sense. I got married in 2010 in California so that I could be under my husband's health insurance policy because I could no longer be on my parents' and my job did not offer it. We got a confidential marriage license because we didn't want anyone to know we were getting married (only our parents) and planned on having a "real" wedding a few years later.
So we went and got married at a courthouse and when we applied for our marriage license I never signed my married last name because for some reason in my head I thought if I signed a new name right then and there I would have to go change it everywhere (W-2, SS, DL, bank accounts,etc) and we didn't want anyone to know so I never filled out the bottom portion of the license with a new last name.
We had our "real" wedding in 2012 which was a ceremony only but everyone there thought it was real and for the first time. Anyways, I want to change my last name to my married last name now. What do I do? Everything I find says bring your marriage license and change it at SS, DMV, etc but my new name isn't on my marriage license! And all the "petition for a name change" process references changing it on my birth certificate which I don't want to do that either. I was just trying to do things the "right way" and ended up screwing everything up and no one seems to know what I should do.
But your spouse's last name is. Your marriage documents serves as proof of marriage, which will help facilitate your name change. If you don't already have a certified copy of your marriage certificate, you can order one from your vital records office. Use that record to complete your name change.
So even if I never signed my "new married name" on the bottom of my marriage certificate, it is literally blank, I can still use that and change my name at SS, DMV, etc?
Yes, you can still use it.
Hi there,
I have been married for three years and changed my name on my main documents (SS, DL, passport) to be Rebecca "smith" "jones" (smith, being my maiden name; jones, my married name; no hyphen though). All documents and bank info have my name including my maiden name and last name.
I'm a social worker and have worked for years under my maiden name (currently my pay checks come in my married name but socially at work I'm referred to, and introduce myself, with only my maiden name).
I am starting my own private practice (my clinical license says Rebecca Smith Jones). My question is, can I work and refer to myself (on websites, business cards) solely as Rebecca Smith (maiden name)? I don't want to do anything "illegal", as technically I did change my name, but I cannot get a clear answer as to whether this is acceptable, to advertise and refer to myself using my maiden name, while using my full name Rebecca Smith Jones on tax forms and legal documents (ie. office rental agreement, insurance forms).
Thanks very much for your help and guidance!
That shouldn't pose a problem. You may also want to consider registering a DBA for that name.
I got married 42 years ago and immediately applied for (and got) a new SS card showing my new name. Fast forward 7 years, still married to same man but wish to revert to birth name. I never took any legal steps to make the change, but since 1977 all my documentation (except SS) are in my birth name: driver's license, passport, voting record, all jobs held since then.
I recently decided to apply for a new SS card with my birth name, but SSA says I need a court decree showing a name change. They referred me to the County Clerk's office and told me to request a form for Resumption of Maiden Name. I contacted the County Clerk's office and was told this form is only for resumption of maiden name following divorce. I am not divorced, I am still married to the same man for 42 years.
SSA has both names attached to my account. My earnings report shows all my wages going back 42 years, including those jobs held in my married name between 1972 and 1977 and those jobs from 1977 to the present held in my birth name. But they won't change the official name on the account. I seem to be caught in a catch-22 between SSA sending me to County Clerk, and County Clerk saying SSA should accept documentation I've already presented to them (passports going back to 1969, W2's going back to 1972, birth certificate, marriage certificate, driver's license). Any suggestions?
I found what I hope is the answer to my situation in RM 10212.155 Subsequent Name Correction Based on Current Marriage, Civil Union and Domestic Partnership, found on the SSA website at ssa.gov.
Hi Janet. The resource you cited may work for you as you've been actively using your maiden name for such a long time. When attempting to update your SSN it's advisable for you to get a certified copy of your marriage document (e.g., marriage certificate) which shows your maiden name. The "new name" you're wanting to shift to (which is still just your maiden name) could be obtained from that document. Also bring in your drivers license (which shows your maiden name) to help establish your identity. Actually, any supporting documents showing your maiden name would be helpful.
Thank you. After 4 hours at SSA this morning I have successfully gotten my name officially changed back to my birth name. I took printed copies of the webiste pages cited above with the relevant paragraphs highlighted and after much debate, they agreed to make the change. I had with me my marriage certificate, an old passport (picture identification with my married name), and my current driver's license (picture identification with my birth name). My new card should arrive in the mail in the next two weeks.
Hi, I hope you can help me on this…. can I still get a job even if I change my last name to my husband name through marriage on my driver's license, ss card etc, but not on my permanent resident card yet?
Thank you!
Yes. An employer can accept your permanent resident card with a different name as long as it's understood that the name you've provided is genuine and relates to you.
Hi, I am hoping you can help with my situation. I did not find any information online. I recently got married (02/18/2014) and I added my middle name to the marriage license. It is my mothers maiden name. The social security office did not let me drop it per my request due to security reasons. I wasn't aware the SSN office would literally go by what the marriage license states regardless to my request. How do I drop my middle name legally in the state of California? Thanks for your help.
Hi Allisen. In California, you'll have to petition the court. Take a look at the last few paragraphs of the middle name change article, which elaborates further.
I have a question I think you all could answer, from reading all the comments. When I got married, I took my ex's name, and changed my SS card. He didn't let me drive, so I never changed my license, and we got divorced some time later, and my divorce papers said I didn't want to change my name. I've kept on using my married last name and left it alone since I have an ID with the married name on it.
I'm getting remarried (to someone who isn't scary!) and want to change my name again. I know that it will be easy to get it done with SS, but I'm worried about changing my license in NC. Am I going to get hit by an awful fine for never changing it or run into a lot of trouble when I try?
No, you won't be facing anything like that. When the time comes, it is recommended that you change your name with the SSA prior to the DMV.
Thanks so much!
I got married just after completing my Residency. I never changed my name on my medical license. My husband and I are moving to Illinois & I'm wondering if I'm required to use my new last name on my application for a new medical license even though my degree and other documentation will have my maiden name on them?
Even though it's expected that your legal name goes on your medical license, you can still contact the Illinois licensing board to inquire if an alias is permitted.
Hello MrsMD:
In my experience completing medical-related applications, it's best if the name on your Social Security Card, NPI and state medical license, DEA and DPS, malpractice and liability all match.
If you complete a CAQH, insurance plan enrollments, including Medicare and Medicaid, etc, the applications will ask for any previous names. Your schools may be able to send you an updated or amended diploma if you decide to use your married name on your medical information.
My sisters married last name is Johnson. However she drew up a Power of Attorney and a Will naming her as that persons POA and executor of the will using her maiden name. Is that legal or should she have used her married name which is her correct legal name?
That may be problematic. Legal names should go on legal documents. I suggest your sister seek legal advice regarding the validity of her name usage and if the Power of Attorney needs to be amended to represent her legal name, while (optionally) specifying her maiden name as an alias.
I am planning on changing my name today. However, I have a doctors appointment next week and will need to show them my insurance card. Will I need to have a new insurance card by then, or will I be fine?
Hi Cate. I doubt that'll present an issue. You could always provide a supplemental document confirming your new name (e.g., mail, social security card, I.D., marriage document). Oftentimes, you can even update your insurance information and print an temporary card through your insurer's website. It also wouldn't hurt to contact your doctor's office regarding your name change so that they may update their records.
The Judge approved after my divorce to change my name back to my maiden name on May 1st of this year. I'm having surgery in 2 weeks and don't want to start it right now, for medical insurance reasons, do I have a time limit to when I start changing everything back to my maiden name, does it matter if like I wait a month before changing it? Thank you!
No, there's no time limit.
No, it doesn't matter.
I got married about a year ago in Hawaii and initially wanted to hyphenate my last name. I signed the marriage certificate with the hyphenated last name. Now I've changed my mind and want to just keep my spouse's last name. I have not made any changes to my name yet, I still have my maiden name. Can I go to Social Security office and request this (even though the marriage certificate won't match?) or will i have to amend the marriage certificate from Hawaii prior to going to Social Security office? Thanks!
I forgot to mention that I'm from California. I'm not sure if this makes a difference or not.
Hi Lin. You can use the certificate as-is.
Hi,
I did not change my maiden name when I got married 13 years back. I am applying for US naturalization soon and wanted to know if I will be made to change my last name, same as my husband's as part of the process even though I don’t want to? Thanks.
Hi Ali. No, you won't be required to change your name.
My husband and I married over 10 years ago. We both hyphenated our last names but never changed it with SSA or DMV. I am considering changing my name to the hyphenated married surname. Once that marriage license becomes a part of the SSA system, will that have any ramifications for him? Will he then be required to change his name as well. He doesn't want to, ever. Thanks.
No, he won't. Your name change would be separate from his.
I got married 2 yrs ago and originally hyphenated my last name with my husband's on my marriage license but afterwards decided I'd rather keep my maiden name. I never changed any documents (driver's license, SS card, passport, bank accounts, etc.) and can't remember anything where I signed the hyphenated last name…so I only have the hyphenated name on our marriage license. Will this create a legal problem later for anything significant? Because I read that if I wanted to change the name back to my maiden name on my marriage license we would have to show up to court and get remarried listing my maiden name as my requested married name this time which is just a pain and seems unecessary since I have not run into any problems so far. Can't find any info on this online…..thanks.
Hi Beth. Since you've only changed it on your marriage license, it's a non-issue. Many people have second thoughts about going forth with a name change post-marriage. Just doing nothing keeps things as-is, which doesn't impact anything.
Hi,
I am an Indian. I am going to get married to a Muslim guy in 3-4 months. I will be required to change my name as per my to be in laws and social requirements. But I want that my name appears the same in my old documents like passport, Driving License. Is it possible that I can use the same name in passport and just provide the legal copy of name change in case of verifications for marital status and the new name..??
My passport will last for atleast 10 years from now, so atleast for that duration I can have my maiden name on that document. Please tell me the possibilities of this considering Indian Legislation in mind.
Regards
Pooja
Hi Pooja. You do not have to change the name on your passport post-marriage.
Hi, my husband and I got married six yrs ago and I was wondering if it is too late to change my last name to his. I already changed my last name on my drivers license a couple yrs ago, but not on my social security card. Can I still do it and if I can what documents do I have to bring? Thanks
Hi Gloria. It's not too late. Contact your local vital records office to get a certified copy of your marriage certificate. You'll need that and proper I.D. to update your SS card.
Thank you so much
What do you mean by proper ID? I'm in the same situation…do I need my maiden name on my drivers license before I can change my SSN or is it ok that it already has my married name?
Hi Rachel. The ID is referencing your driver's license. It confirms usage of your married name. You'll also need to get a certified copy of your marriage certificate.
Hi,
I changed my last name to my husband's last name when I renewed my passport last year.
My bank account, license has my maiden last name. Can I go back to my maiden name if so how? Please help.
Changing your name the second time around (for non-marriage related reasons) would require a court petition process.
I'm a real estate lawyer using my maiden name since I graduated. When I got married years ago, I insisted keeping my maiden name professionally but agreed using my married name socially to identify better with my two daughters. I must admit it was my feminist thinking that defied the concept on becoming my husband's woman after being married. In fact, only their teachers called me 'Mrs. Venus Leeds' while all my clients addressed me 'Ms. Venus Adams'.
It worked fine for the next 22 years until the passing of my now late husband last August, making me the Executrix of his estate and the Trustee of his existing Family trust (in conjunction with 3 other trustees!). Having inherited such relatively complicated estate with extensive family connections, I began to realize the importance of my preceived status (i.e. being one of the Leeds rather than being considered 'outsider') in relation to the control of its operation.
Despite no longer having needs to associate with my daughters at school (since both of them recently graduated), I decided few months ago to legally append my maiden name to that of my late husband officially and becoming "Mrs. Venus Adam Leeds". To my surprise, it is the very first time that I am actually feel comfortable being addressed "Mrs." as if those feminist sentiments somehow vanished and got out of the way. I suppose it is a reflection of my maturity (I'm alredy 52) and a practical need to accept reality. So when a client of mine received my new calling card and asked if I have recently married, I instead told her I'm recently widowed. And she simply didn't know what to say!
Thanks for sharing your story.
Hello,
I have a bit of a complicated situation. I took my husbands name when I was married in New York three years ago. Now I need to change to a hyphenated last name but I now live overseas. I have been told by the US embassy that changing my name on my passport and SS card will not be a problem. They said bringing my marriage cert which shows my maiden name will be enough. I am wondering if I also need to make some sort of legal name change in New York since that is where I have my marriage cert and drivers license. I'm feeling a bit confused. Any advice would be much appreciated.
Best,
AV
No, you don't.
Thank you very much for your reply.
Hi,
I got married two weeks ago, and I've began trying to figure out how to change my name. I got my marriage certificate from the courts, but it has my maiden name on it. Is my name not officially changed to my husband's till I put it on my Social Security?
I am concerned because in Georgia they say you must change your name on your driver's license 60 days after you get a name change, but I have no idea if my name change began once I got married or if it doesn't officially until a document like my social security shows it. I called the DMV and the Social Security Office, but I could get no response.
Hi Holly. Name change events typically refer to the SSA, as the DMV performs a cross-database look-up prior to updating the name on a license. It's important that the SSA record be updated first.
Hi Valera,
About 6 months ago the court approved our minor child's name change which changed it from his dad's name to hyphenating both our last names. However we did not yet follow through with changing it on anything such as social security or birth certificate. Since then we have reconciled (previously we were apart for years) and now I am hesitant to continue with the process for my son. Since we did not follow through with notifying the various agencies and don't plan on doing so at this point is it basically as if we have not changed anything and legally he should continue to go by his dad's last name? Or is it the case that his name has been officially changed to our hyphenated names and we would have to go back to court if we wanted him to continue to go by his fathers last name?
Thanks!!
Hi Heather. An approval from the court to allow a name change provides the necessary authorization to update your various documents, if you so choose. Choosing to do nothing will just maintain the status quo.
My wife recently became a citizen and changed her last name to match mine and the kids; the problem is the kids birth certificates have her maiden last name, how do we change the birth certificates to have her new married name? Do we even need to change them? will that affect them in any way? Thanks.
Contact your local vital records office regarding amendments.
No.
No.
Most states do want the mother to record her name as her "maiden" one and will not amend a BC to reflect a changed married name. Now if she changed her name for a reason other than taking a spouse's or other partner's last name* you might be able to do something (and such a name change would most likely change how the name would be listed on subsequent children's BCs). *Examples would be being legally adopted (or going the other way if you were adopted as a child back to your original name), changing part or all of your name for other personal reasons, etc.
Hi Valera!
I got married recently, I am not a citizen, but I have been a resident for 5 years , I want to change my last name but I don't know what my best option would be in the future, since i have already filed for the 2013 year. Would benefit me to have his last name or just keep my maiden name to file my taxes, and how does it benefit me or affect me? And also with my retirement pension how does it benefit or affect me to have his last name or keep my last name?
It doesn't make a difference.
Same as above—It makes no difference.
Hi Valera,
I am from the Philippines and I am applying for a passport. My last name is my mother's maiden name because my father and mother were not yet married when I was born but my mother is using my father's last name now. Would I encounter any problems in my passport application and in the processing of my visa in the future?
Hi Jing. That shouldn't be an issue.
Hi,
We eloped december 31st 2013 here in California. I have not gone to social security to change name. I was going to do it tomorrow. We have yet to file taxes…should I wait until after tax day to change name? Do we file separate or together? Bad timing on my part:/
Hi Mary. You're cutting it pretty close. When you go down to SSA, inquire how long they suspect it'll take the IRS to sync with their database. If you're not certain there wll be enough time for the names to match, you can choose to wait to complete the name change afterward. Take a look at this taxes and name change article for more info. As for filing separately or together, that's up to you and your spouse.
I'm getting married next month and cant decide how to go about changing my name. I have went my my middle name my whole life and only use my first name on legal documents, but I perfer to use my middle name..I'm thikning of dropping my first name and using my maddian name as my middle and then picking up his last name or I may just hyphenate his last name onto mine or just add his last name and essentially end up with two middle names…(your confused? I'm confused! lol) My question is how do I go about hyphenate/or adding his name and is that considered a whole new name change or can just pick it up? Also if I decide to drop my first name is that considered a whole new name change or can I just change it as I'm changing my name in the process of getting married? And will that be an added cost?
You'll just go through a typical marriage-related name change. Instead of specifying his last name, specify the hyphenated version instead.
Any name change is considered a name change. The difference being you can easily change your last name during marriage, but a first name change would require a court petition. You'd have to do that in addition to the marriage-related name change that deals with your last name.
Okay I am getting married next week and fully intend on changing my name. The question is that I'm not a US citizen. If I change it through British courts then I would have to change my passport and my green card (which I just renewed) to match, which is very costly and time consuming. If I don't change it in British courts then I can't change my green card so my social security wouldn't match my green card. If I legally change my name to include my maiden name (hyphenated with my new name) can I use documents in both my maiden name and my new married name? If not, can I get in trouble for my social security not matching my green card? I really want to do the name change but cannot afford the cost of green cards, British petitions and new passport etc. at the moment? Is there a solution? Or do I have to stick to my maiden name for the foreseeable future? (Btw we have a daughter together who has his last name which is why it's important for me to change my name)
Depends on the context. Full name for legal and identity circumstances (think I.D. cards, taxes). Then, optionally, maiden name for the informal circumstances. For the latter, you use your best judgment.
Trouble isn't really the way to look at it. It's expected for your green card and SSN to match. Whichever is incorrect needs to be updated.
Not one that would avoid the expense.
I got married in 2010 and I took my husbands last name but I'm having second thoughts in adding back my last name as well as keeping his. Is that possible? I changed it on my ss card and passport but not at the DMV. If so where or who do I have to go to get it done.
Thanks
Since you've already changed it due to marriage once, you'll have to do it another way the second go-round. The path is court petition to SSN to DMV.
I am recently divorced (in TN) and in the decree I asked to return to my maiden name. I forgot how long it takes to change everything (license, SS, credit cards, etc). Its been 5 months since the divorce and I have yet to do all that paperwork….my exhusband doesn't care if I keep his name, but will I get in trouble with social security or anyone if I never change my name back to my maiden name?
No.
I am getting married in a week and I have chosen to take his last name. I have always gone by my middle name and would like to drop my first name, but don't want to use my maiden name as my new middle name because I don't know my father or that family. I would like to use my mother's maiden name as my new middle name. Is this a possibility?
Hi Jessica. That wouldn't be possible without a court petitioned name change.
I recently changed my last name in court ( a month ago) but I still use my old last name, Can I have to update my social security, driver license with my new last name?
Thanks.
(Im from chula vista, california)
It's not 100% clear what you're asking, so let me answer both possible interpretations:
1) "Can I" update them? Yes.
2) "Do I have to" update them? If you don't, then you've not completed the name change process. Your old name would remain your current name.
MY PREVIOUS QUESTION: and are there any rights one has at keeping one's married name private (with the exception of within HR, etc.)? Thanks for your help!!
YOUR RESPONSE: For tax-related purposes, whatever name your employer uses must match your social security record. You may want to take a look at this taxes and name change article for a more detailed explanation behind this reasoning.
As for keeping your married name private, that would have to worked out with your employer. You previously mentioned your married name was published when you asked that it not be disclosed. Was an explanation given as to why that happened? Was it inadvertent? Do they have a policy position about this? Did they provide future assurance (verbal or written) that such an error would not happen again?
MY RESPONSE: Because my employer took my name from my Passport and not my SS card, my married name is the one they have listed me under. Even though I asked them to change it (and showed them the SS card) they won't, because I have to have another form of identification with that name on it, even though that's my legal name for tax purposes. (Another employer had no problem using my SS card name).
When they used my married name, I told them I did not want it disclosed, and they assured me that my maiden name (my professional name) would be used, except on HR/tax documents. However, there is a database that shows my class and my name, and it is my married name. This is viewable by my students, and I have asked them to change it, but they told me that they would have to change their whole payroll system in order to keep what they call my legal name off of that database. Apparently, that database pulls from the name line of another database, and even though there is a field for "Legal Name" they don't use it. Do I have any rights to fight this?
Hi Wrigley. As for your rights to fight this, if you're looking for legal options, you'll have to contact a local attorney for assistance.
The way you describe it sounds like it's a legacy software limitation or deficiency. That it's technically impossible for them to update your legal name on file due to how they've set up their database(s). If that's the case, then you may be at a dead end, unless you can somehow convince or compel them to modify their database and payroll system to accommodate your request.
Does their system support the use of a name alias? Have you tried having HR step in for assistance? Did you formalize your requests in writing? Were their responses in writing?
Thanks for your answers. I very much appreciate it!
There is a line in the system for "Legal Name" but they don't use it, so they tell me. So, I think it's possible for them to put an alias name in the first/last name area and legal name in that. But they won't do it – I guess they'd have to change things for everyone, and that's too much of a pain. I did ask HR about it and they basically told me I was stuck with it. All of this is in emails, so, yes, it's in writing.
I got married in Stockton almost 6 yrs ago. I never changed my last name and on my marriage certificate, I signed my maiden name. Will I still be able to change my last name at the DMV and my SSN or will I have to go pay to get my last name changed? I've been wanting to do this for a while but it costs 140 to get it changed here in Washington State. I'm hoping I get response sent to my email.
Thanks, Belinda
Hi Belinda. You can still use your marriage certificate.
I have moved from Oklahoma to California and I will soon be changing my drivers license. My Oklahoma license has my married name but my social security has my maiden name (divorcing)… Can I legally put my maiden name on my new drivers license?
Yes, as that's what would match your SSN.
I recently changed my name and got hire by a company I really want to work at. I am expected to start working in the new job in June, but I haven't update my information with the SSN, my question is can I still use my old name for the job (since that's what they have on record and they referred to me with my old name), or do I have to change it and update the information with SSA. And what about when they run background checks, would it matter since i haven't update my SSN with the new name?
If the name your employer has on file matches the SSN, then you should keep things unchanged. If they run a background check it'll match, as they'll search against your current legal name. If you later update your SSN, notify your employer of the change so that their records will match.
Hello,
I changed my name from married name to maiden name in my naturalization certificate…
I have 2 question
1.If someday I want to take again my husband's last name do I need to go to court and pay? or Can I use my marriage certificate?
2. I have a order court of name change, Can I still use my old name (married name) or Do I need to use in everything (SS, DMV) my new name ? just curious.
Thank you.
Thank you
1) court, 2) new name.