Hi,

I'm getting married to a USC this friday (January 11th 2008).
After we're married (or right when getting married actually), I want to start using my wife's last name, instead of my wife using my last name.

Can this name change take place right there and then at the county clerk's office?

Also, after the name change, who all should I inform about it? I understand that the SSA and the USCIS need to know about it, but are there any other offices who need to know?

Can I keep my passport the way it is now (still has my old name in it)? The passport is valid until 2011, so if I can wait to change that one until it's expired, that would be nice.

Thanks in advance.

Your profile doesn't say what state you'll be in.

In some states, either male or female can change their name on the marriage certificate. But in the vast majority of states, a man will need a court order to change his last name to his wife's last name.

I'm in Illinios, sorry.

I'm in Virginia and our marriage certificate has my maiden name... how do I go about a name change?

Confused by this whole thing too...

Your marriage certificate SHOULD have your maiden name, as it was your name at the time of the marriage.

By also listing your husband's name, the certificate is proof that you are taking his last name as yours. Use that certificate to prove the name change to any agencies/companies with which you wish to change your name. They will each have different requirements as to what other documents you will need to submit along with your marriage certificate.

Its really pretty simple. If you Google 'name change', you'll come up with a wealth of different links to point you in the right direction.

To the OP - the man taking the woman's name after marriage is quite a different procedure. I believe it often times requires a court appearance. Google it for your state and see what you can find.

Yes, a man changing his name to his wife's name is more complicated than a woman changing to her husband's. You will definitely need to go to court to do it, so you should call them or ask them while you're there.

Any woman can change her name to her husband's name after marriage. It all starts at the SSA office, bring your marriage certificate and your current social security card if you have one, fill out the application online and have it changed, it takes about 2 weeks. After that you can take your new SS card and marriage certificate to your DMV office to have it changed there, once you have both, your SSC and DL changed to your new name, you can take that to your bank to change it. Call your credit card companies, insurance companies and every other place you can think of that comes in your name to find out what they need, usually they can change it over the phone but sometimes you have to send them a copy of your marriage certificate.

Diana

Have you asked this before? I remember answered this for a guy in Illinois with a similar avatar ... or I could be losing my mind, which is very likely.

The following lead me to believe you will need a court order to change your name:

http://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=2778930

http://la.indymedia.org/news/2007/01/191537.php

From the second one: In Illinois, a man wishing to take his wife's surname must fork over $246 for a petition and another $150 to publish the change in a newspaper. Connecticut's price is slightly lower, at only $150 for a court petition.

http://www.namechangelaw.com/states/ill/illinois.htm - legal name change law

You have to be an IL state resident for 6 months before you can petition to change your name.

Women have to change their DL and SS card first because once that is done you can easily change other things. Once I got my new SS card I was able to change everything at work (insurance, benefits, e-mail).
Some credit cards and other bills will accept your DL, others asked for our marriage certificate.

Make sure you get that discount for married people from your car insurance. I saved a lot from Geico!

Oh good to know since I've always had Geico and my husband just got his driver's license.

Thanks!

Diana

Do you still have a Dutch passport? If you do so, be aware you will never lose the last name you're borne with in the Netherlands. You can add into your passport on a separte line that you will be the wif off followed by you're wifes name. So whenever you book a flight ticket do it always in you're name otherwise you get in trouble when they scan your passport at the customs and you're last name is different than the one in your passport.
Here, the Netherlands, they rather talk about "naamgebruik" than name change. This is an other form which you can fill out at the courthouse after you're married.