One of the major decisions you have to make in marriage is the name change. It is a sensitive issue and one that requires a lot of thought before the wedding. For most women, it is an easy choice to pick their spouse’s name. However, there are situations where the legal name change is not so straightforward.
If you are in the process of planning your wedding, it is important to put some thought into the name change process. One of the issues most modern women ponder over is whether to change keep or change their middle name after marriage.
This guide explores situations where the change of the middle name is necessary and how to go about it.
- Keeping The Family Name Alive
If you are an only child in the family, the issue of a name change after marriage is not easy. While most brides will readily drop their surnames and take those of their spouses, you have to think about your family.
Your parents will want the family name to live through you. At the same time your spouse and the new family expect you to pick the new name to reflect your new status In this case you have to look for a compromise.
Many brides now find a middle ground by using their maiden as the middle name and taking up their spouse’s name. it is a compromise where everyone emerges happy.
- Easier Choice than Hyphenation
Another popular option when dealing with a middle name change after marriage is hyphenation. It allows you to retain both the maiden name and surname and at the same time use your spouse’s name.
Hyphenation was a trend back in the 70s and lost popularity along the way. Today, this style has made a comeback as more brides seek a compromise. However, it is not the easiest of options. You will have a mouthful for a name. It also becomes tedious filling out your name on documents.
Dropping your middle name and taking your maiden name is an easier option. If you have decided to use your partner’s name, it is straight forward to drop your middle name instead of having a string of names. It makes things easier for you.
- Professional Considerations during a Name
For most professional women, the maiden name is part of their identity. Dropping the name altogether poses a problem.
If you have built your career around your maiden name, it is a difficult choice to drop it altogether. This is where the option of using it as a middle name comes in handy.
If your middle name is not well recognizable, you can sacrifice it by replacing it with your maiden name. This allows you to take your partner’s name as the surname.
It guarantees there’s no disruption in your career identity. It would otherwise take a lot of work to change your professional name after using it for years.
Changing the Middle Name Marriage
Any change of name after the marriage starts with the marriage license application. You have to agree on the best name as a couple and use it on the license application. It is the same name that will reflect on the marriage certificate after the wedding.
It is important to understand your state’s laws regarding the change of a middle name. In most cases, the marriage certificate is enough for the name change. In other jurisdictions, you have to apply for a name change order.
Once you get a marriage certificate or a name change order, you should apply for a new social security card (SSD), driver’s license and passport. You should also notify all persons and institutions using the old name about the legal name change.
Hassle-Free Name Change
If you wish to change your middle name after marriage, you don’t have to go through all the hassle. Online name change services can help by providing all the information you need.
They also offer tailored name change assistance by availing all the forms you need, filling them with your details and sending them to the resistive destinations. These innovative services save you the hassle of hopping from one government office to the next. You can now change your name comfortably from the comfort of your home.
Final Thoughts
Wondering whether to keep your middle name after marriage? This insight into middle name. Changing the middle name changes is a good start. Changing your middle name is a win-win situation for the bride and the spouse. With these ideas, it is now easy to make an informed choice on the middle name change.
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