Why it is a Good Idea to Change Maiden Name After Marriage

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.

  • Changing to husband’s last name

  • Keeping maiden name as a middle name and using husband’s surname as your own last name

  • Using maiden name in professional profiles, but legally accepting husband’s last name

  • Hyphenating your maiden name with husband’s surname

  • Making a new last name using your’s and your spouse’s last name

Documents you will need change your name in include,

  • Social Security Card Number

  • Passport

  • Driving License

  • Bank Account

  • Credit Cards

  • Electricity and Utility Bills

  • Insurance Paper

  • Health Card

  • 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.

4 Things You Must Know Before You Legally Change Your Name After Marriage

While you may change your name (first, middle and last name) legally for any reason you may have, but most of the time is the women who find the need to change their surname after marriage or divorce. Indeed events like marriage and divorce impact the women’s lives more.

Getting a marriage certificate will surely let you change your last name but you will not be officially known by the new surname or name until you submit your name change application with the social security administration. If you want to legally change your name after marriage, here are a few things you ought to know first.

Consider the choices you have

Unlike the older day, in today’s time you have more choices when it comes to changing your name after marriage.

  • You can continue with the same name you were born with.
  • You can take your husband’s last name. The process is more straightforward for newlyweds.
  • Change your last name legally adapting your spouse’s surname but don’t change your name in the professional sphere.
  • Keep your surname as middle name with your husband’s surname as last name
  • You can hyphenate your last name with your husband’s last name, and you both can have a new surname.

Do consider the pros and cons of all these choices before concluding for one.

Get any name you want, there are some restrictions though!

There are people who aren’t happy with their birth name and if you are one of them, good news is you can change your name to whatever you want to keep. However, there are several restrictions or exceptions I would say in this name change process. For example, you can’t have a name of a celebrity as that will be consider as a mischievous act. Besides, you can’t have numbers, punctuation signs, or something obscene in your name.

While you legally change your name after marriage, divorce or for any other reason, make sure you get the spelling and format of the new name 100% correct. According to a leading name change service provider firm, they receive many clients year-round who want to change their name legally due to incorrect spelling.

It’s relatively easier changing surname post marriage and divorce

If you are a newlywed and you have decided to change your last name, you will not need an order from the court. You simply need to write your new surname (your husband’s surname) on your marriage license and show that license to social security administration, bank and all other places as a legal proof of your surname change. This process is mostly same in all states of the country. And if you have filed for the divorce and want to keep your older maiden name again, it will be taken care by the judge during your divorce procedure. You will be having your divorce decree and then after you can use your old last name again.

It makes sense hiring a name change service!

Filling a name change application isn’t as complicated as it may seem to you. However, if you don’t want to follow the procedure yourself, you need not to hire a lawyer. Instead you can hire a name change service. Professional name change services provider companies offer different packages for different cases. These companies will bring you a checklist of all documents and paperwork you will need at one place, simplifying your process of name change. Such companies aim to save their clients’ a good amount of time and hassles involved in this very intimidating procedure.

Every state has different laws for legal name change process. You will need to learn about the name change rules in your state. Or as said above, you can always hire a professional name change service to make things streamlined and easier for you!