Hello,
I did not change my last name to my husband's when we got married almost 10 years ago, for some professional reason. Now that we have kids, I feel like carrying the same last name as everyone else in our family to unify the family also to avoid potential confusion when kids start going to school. Do I need to go through court to officially change my last name to my husband's at this point? or is there any easier way to do this since women do this all the time as they get married by just writing a new name in the marriage certificate (if I am correct) without involving court filing and court appearance.
Thanks very much in advance!
I agree with Happy T as I didn't change my name until we'd been married for 5 years and I followed the same process. Its very easy.
When you go the the SS office, be sure to take the ORIGINAL marriage certificate. It cannot be a photocopy, it MUST be the original with the raised seal.
All you have to do is go to your local social security office and get a new card and put your "new" last name, you will have to bring your marriage certificate as proof, then go to your local DMV and have it changed on your DL. TADA all done!!! I had to do the same thing. Other then the stress of the social security office and DMV it's very simple!
Every state has different laws. I believe you atomatically take your husbands last name when you change your drivers license on Social Security card.
Here are some links I just found:
http://www.ehow.com/how_4640_change-name-after.html
http://newlyweds.about.com/od/legalissues/f/namechangefaq...
As an aside:
You might want to check with your credit card companies... what happens if there is a name change, once you change your name. When you change your name, you'd have to tell/inform your credit card companies too... and other entities, of your name change on any accounts you have etc.
I was told once, by a professional financial planner... and someone at my bank... that it can affect your credit history... because the "name" changes on your credit card, and then your credit history is affected. But then again, people get married everyday and have to change their last names... so I don't know.
I was told, that even adding a "hyphen" in between your last name (if you keep your name and then add his), that that makes a BIG difference. Versus if you do NOT put a hyphen in between the 2 last names... you can legally use BOTH names... your previous maiden name or your married last name.
So you might want to check on that.
Just something to think about.
All the best,
Susan
But the marriage certificate/license is a legal document that is filed with the Court (County Clerk's Office).
So, I would think that yes, you would need to file with the Court to change your name now as well. It shouldn't be a difficult process at all, though. It may be different depending on what state you reside in.
I recall there being a place somewhere on the marriage certificate (actually in FL it is a marriage license) to mark off whether or not you were changing your name.
I would ask at the County Clerk's office what you need to do to file a Petition for Name Change and explain what you are doing. They may have a simple form you can fill out, sign and file.
