If you are a newlywed woman or there is a wedding on your calendar, remember your last name won’t change automatically to your future spouse’s surname once you are married. If you don’t proceed for legal maiden name change procedure, you are officially having same name even after marriage. But we know, changing name ain’t easy for anyone. You may need to think of implications of changing name and keeping the old name.
There can be some other reasons that may drive you to change your maiden name after marriage such as you want to get into the feeling of lifetime partners after tying the knot, your maiden surname is difficult to pronounce, the old surname is weird or more funny, you simply want a new name as you begin your new life after the wedding, you want to avoid any hassle of carrying old maiden name in the important documents or you simply want to get rid of the birth name.
Regardless of what is your reason of changing your name to married name, it is worth knowing what all alternatives you have for name change after marriage; no matter if you do same-sex marriage or marry a man, you have got these name change options.
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Changing to husband’s last name
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Keeping maiden name as a middle name and using husband’s surname as your own last name
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Using maiden name in professional profiles, but legally accepting husband’s last name
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Hyphenating your maiden name with husband’s surname
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Making a new last name using your’s and your spouse’s last name
Documents you will need change your name in include,
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Social Security Card Number
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Passport
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Driving License
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Bank Account
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Credit Cards
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Electricity and Utility Bills
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Insurance Paper
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Health Card
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Blog, Bio, Email Signature, Social Media Profiles, etc.
Did I say, you will also need to update your postal address to the employer, doctor or any other relevant person for future communications? It is always wise to see what is practical and right for you instead of getting drowned in the misconception of feminist. The new married name you will choose is the one you will continue for the rest of your life, share with your future children and represent you everywhere.
Do consider future children
Regardless of what name you are going to keep, you first need to think of its impact on your future children that you will have some time after your marriage. Would you like a different name from your children? Or you want to share a common name with your spouse and children? The decision you may make as an independent person or as a couple may sometime look wrong when you think as a family.
If you plan to hyphenate the name with your spouse’s name, the children will probably find it more difficult to continue with it when they decide to marry or when they have their own children in the future. If you are officially using maiden name and your children have a different surname, you may witness some troubles while taking them to hospitals, travels, school or attempting any official educational event. But having a common surname will make things simple and clear.
Instead of giving it a quick thought, experts recommend women to think about the name change more seriously. Your name change process isn’t just about you and your identity, but it will have its impact on the future generations. If you think you don’t have time and knowledge of changing maiden name and thus would do it other time, it is recommended that you hire a professional name change service in the city instead of delaying this extremely important matter.