Name change upon marriage?

[metinil 0]

My fiance and I are having our civil marriage on Tuesday. I'm working on the paperwork for AOS in the meantime, and want to go for my medical exam/vaccinations ASAP so we can file everything by the end of the month (I hope!).

I'm confused about the name change process. We plan to have a wedding with family and friends when the time is right, and I was going to wait to change my name until then (I plan to hyphenate my name with his). Do I automatically take his name when we get married, or is this something I'll have to file paperwork for anyway and can wait? If it makes it much easier to do it now I will (to save the headache later), but I'm not in a rush to change it as we're not telling everyone yet. I also want to make sure I'm filing all the papers with the correct name so there aren't any issues.

One more thing... I'm from Canada, do I just change my name in the US or Canada or both?!

Thanks VJ!

[Eric-Pris 1,609]

You do NOT need to officially change your name. When you get married, you can begin using your husband's last name right away without doing anything. The marriage certificate acts as "proof" of your name change. It does not need to say it on the marriage certificate (most states don't put new name). The certificate itself is enough. After marriage, you have a choice of using: your maiden name, his last name, or a combination of the two. There is nothing official you need to file with the government.

Read this: http://www.legalzoom.com/name-change-guide...ame-change.html

Btw, file the AOS paperwork in whatever name you will be using going forward.

Edited October 24, 2008 by kid brooklyn

[payxibka 10,048]

........ do I just change my name in the US or Canada or both?!

Family law varies from state to state and so does the name change process (either indicated on a form or automatic). It is best to check your individual state. In Minnesota for example, you indicate on the face of the marriage license/certificate what name you wish to be legally known as after the wedding. In other states, you simply start using your new name (if so chosen) and your actions (changing SSN, DL, etc..) are sufficient to make it legal.

[metinil 0]

You do NOT need to officially change your name. When you get married, you can begin using your husband's last name right away without doing anything. The marriage certificate acts as "proof" of your name change. It does not need to say it on the marriage certificate (most states don't put new name). The certificate itself is enough. After marriage, you have a choice of using: your maiden name, his last name, or a combination of the two. There is nothing official you need to file with the government.

Read this: http://www.legalzoom.com/name-change-guide...ame-change.html

Btw, file the AOS paperwork in whatever name you will be using going forward.

Thanks kid! Do you know anything about the cross border changes? I have a Canadian passport, social security number, driver's license, bank accounts, credit cards, etc. Can I leave those until I need to update them or am back in Canada and can make the changes, or do I need to make the changes right away if I start using a different name than my maiden name?

........ do I just change my name in the US or Canada or both?!

Family law varies from state to state and so does the name change process (either indicated on a form or automatic). It is best to check your individual state. In Minnesota for example, you indicate on the face of the marriage license/certificate what name you wish to be legally known as after the wedding. In other states, you simply start using your new name (if so chosen) and your actions (changing SSN, DL, etc..) are sufficient to make it legal.

Looks like I'll have to clarify with the clerk next week. I called the courthouse but maybe didn't explain myself well enough because I'm definitely confused! haha

[payxibka 10,048]

You do NOT need to officially change your name. When you get married, you can begin using your husband's last name right away without doing anything. The marriage certificate acts as "proof" of your name change. It does not need to say it on the marriage certificate (most states don't put new name). The certificate itself is enough. After marriage, you have a choice of using: your maiden name, his last name, or a combination of the two. There is nothing official you need to file with the government.

Read this: http://www.legalzoom.com/name-change-guide...ame-change.html

Btw, file the AOS paperwork in whatever name you will be using going forward.

Thanks kid! Do you know anything about the cross border changes? I have a Canadian passport, social security number, driver's license, bank accounts, credit cards, etc. Can I leave those until I need to update them or am back in Canada and can make the changes, or do I need to make the changes right away if I start using a different name than my maiden name?

Your choice.... My wife has a different name here than she has back "home"

[link09 0]

You do NOT need to officially change your name. When you get married, you can begin using your husband's last name right away without doing anything. The marriage certificate acts as "proof" of your name change. It does not need to say it on the marriage certificate (most states don't put new name). The certificate itself is enough. After marriage, you have a choice of using: your maiden name, his last name, or a combination of the two. There is nothing official you need to file with the government.

Read this: http://www.legalzoom.com/name-change-guide...ame-change.html

Btw, file the AOS paperwork in whatever name you will be using going forward.

Thanks kid! Do you know anything about the cross border changes? I have a Canadian passport, social security number, driver's license, bank accounts, credit cards, etc. Can I leave those until I need to update them or am back in Canada and can make the changes, or do I need to make the changes right away if I start using a different name than my maiden name?

Your choice.... My wife has a different name here than she has back "home"

Same here. I am married to a USC and changed my name upon marriage. Though my passport still has my maiden name...

[metinil 0]

Same here. I am married to a USC and changed my name upon marriage. Though my passport still has my maiden name...

And you haven't had any issue traveling? This is your US passport or from your home country?

[payxibka 10,048]

Same here. I am married to a USC and changed my name upon marriage. Though my passport still has my maiden name...

And you haven't had any issue traveling? This is your US passport or from your home country?

My wife did not.... greencard in married name, passport in previous name... carried a copy of her name change document with us to "bridge" the gap

Edited October 24, 2008 by payxibka

[jhunjhun 7]

to change your name is easy to do but very hectic...I'm Canadian , but I'm lucky co'z my wife is USC...I don't have anything to change with my name. HOwever, as I said making your name change is very hectic....frustrating...we're not finish changing her name in her bank account, credit card...but so far so good....