Signature change

[Yhan2x 37]

Here in Philippines do u really need to change your signature once u get married? I went to comelec earlier to change my status to my married name and they told me to change my signature since I am already married but I don't want to change it because on my passport and NBI I never change it even if I am already using my husband's last name. They also told me it's in the law of philippine that once you are married u are require to change your signature. Is that true? Pls help me in this cause I am really confuse now all my papers in my petition I use the same signature, and I don't get the point why u have to change it once u are married.

Thanks in advance

[Caryh 5,206]

Your signature needs to match your name. If you've taken on your husbands name, per Filipino tradition, then your signature should follow this. That said, under the Philippine family act, a married woman can continue to use her maiden name and is not required to take her husband's name. But it sounds like you're changing your name and not your signature.

for example Mary Garcia Adobo marries John Smith. Mary changes her name to Mary Adobo Smith, but you want to sign things Mary Garcia Adobo. Your signature is no longer matching your name and will not be accepted in some places and on some official documents.

[sweet cakes 326]

Agreed with Caryh. Remember that later on, you will need to get a new NBI and passport and all other legal documents in your married name. To be on the safe side, might as well match all your signatures and names.

Edited May 21, 2014 by sweet cakes

[Yhan2x 37]

I already have an nbi and passport under my married name but I use the same signature when I was single on both. What will I do now? Am I really obligated to change my signature since I am already married? What will happened to all the paper I sign including my passport and nbi.

[Yhan2x 37]

Agreed with Caryh. Remember that later on, you will need to get a new NBI and passport and all other legal documents in your married name. To be on the safe side, might as well match all your signatures and names.

I already have an nbi and passport under my married name but I use the same signature when I was single on both. What will I do now? Am I really obligated to change my signature since I am already married? What will happened to all the paper I sign including my passport and nbi.

[Caryh 5,206]

I already have an nbi and passport under my married name but I use the same signature when I was single on both. What will I do now? Am I really obligated to change my signature since I am already married? What will happened to all the paper I sign including my passport and nbi.

You're not obligated to do anything. But neither is a business or organization obligated to accept your signature as Mary Adobo, when your name is Mary Smith. I have no idea what will happen with your passport or NBI. Depends on if the businesses or organizations are willing to accept the mismatch you want to use. If they won't accept them, then you cannot get whatever service you wanted from them.

I have to say I'm rather confused why you want to sign your name in a way which is no longer your name. This will only create problems. Personally my signature is only my first name, I don't sign my last name. But there are some documents where that is not acceptable, and I have to sign also using my last name. It feels strange when I do it, but I don't have the choice if I want to get through that particular process. But at least part of my signature is the same as my ID's. You've got a further problem, because you have different name to.

[sweet cakes 326]

Sorry, I didn't catch that you already have your docs in your married name. Certain offices do have their own set of rules though, and seems like in your case, Comelec does. You can probably try another day if a different person will be in charge of registration and be more lenient about that. I am not familiar though if it's a law in PH, but government agencies do follow some standard/ guideline.

Edit: Yeah, just like what Caryh said.

Edited May 21, 2014 by sweet cakes

[Yhan2x 37]

You're not obligated to do anything. But neither is a business or organization obligated to accept your signature as Mary Adobo, when your name is Mary Smith. I have no idea what will happen with your passport or NBI. Depends on if the businesses or organizations are willing to accept the mismatch you want to use. If they won't accept them, then you cannot get whatever service you wanted from them.

I have to say I'm rather confused why you want to sign your name in a way which is no longer your name. This will only create problems. Personally my signature is only my first name, I don't sign my last name. But there are some documents where that is not acceptable, and I have to sign also using my last name. It feels strange when I do it, but I don't have the choice if I want to get through that particular process. But at least part of my signature is the same as my ID's. You've got a further problem, because you have different name to.

And now I am more worried our cr-1 petition is already in the nvc stage worrying of having some problem about it. Anyway thank u so much for answering I really appreciate it and to answer your confusion I use that signature because I am more comportable with it and the lawyer that helping us in this visa told us it's ok to use the same signature.

[Yhan2x 37]

Sorry, I didn't catch that you already have your docs in your married name. Certain offices do have their own set of rules though, and seems like in your case, Comelec does. You can probably try another day if a different person will be in charge of registration and be more lenient about that. I am not familiar though if it's a law in PH, but government agencies do follow some standard/ guideline.

Edit: Yeah, just like what Caryh said.

That's fine yes I already have all my documents and I am just worried that this signature problem can affect my visa because instead of changing my signature when I get married I stick with the one that I use to. Thanks for the answers I really appreciate it

[Yhan2x 37]

And ops I just notice instead of posting in cr1 topic I posted in k1 ?? my bad sorry

[sweet cakes 326]

That's fine yes I already have all my documents and I am just worried that this signature problem can affect my visa because instead of changing my signature when I get married I stick with the one that I use to. Thanks for the answers I really appreciate it

Not sure if it would be much of a big deal here in US. But basing from Caryh's response, seems like it's all up to the receiving end if they allow it or not. My husband's signature is just some scribble. Hahaha. He has both a short- and long-hand version. Hope you make it through on your next try with Comelec registration though. All the best!

[Caryh 5,206]

And now I am more worried our cr-1 petition is already in the nvc stage worrying of having some problem about it. Anyway thank u so much for answering I really appreciate it and to answer your confusion I use that signature because I am more comportable with it and the lawyer that helping us in this visa told us it's ok to use the same signature.

As a touch of advice, I would start practicing your new signature, and get used to it. Move forward using the new signature on everything. It is not uncommon for a newly married woman to accidentally sign with their old signature. You may be asked to resign some things when this happens, but its not a shock to people. Based on this, you might just slide through right now. But it will become more of a problem as time goes on. And as I mentioned, there will be some cases you're not going to be allowed to use it or some service will be out and out denied because of it. Forcing you to get new ID's with a signature matching your name. As I mentioned, I have a bit of a nonstandard signature myself, but its much closer to a standard signature than your's, and mine causes me trouble at times.

[Yhan2x 37]

Not sure if it would be much of a big deal here in US. But basing from Caryh's response, seems like it's all up to the receiving end if they allow it or not. My husband's signature is just some scribble. Hahaha. He has both a short- and long-hand version. Hope you make it through on your next try with Comelec registration though. All the best!

Thank u he's same like my husband

[apple21 953]

Don't bother with COMELEC. I went to them too bacause I want to change my name into married on my Voter's ID but they said it will take YEARS before I will get my new ID so it's pretty useless.

[Yhan2x 37]

As a touch of advice, I would start practicing your new signature, and get used to it. Move forward using the new signature on everything. It is not uncommon for a newly married woman to accidentally sign with their old signature. You may be asked to resign some things when this happens, but its not a shock to people. Based on this, you might just slide through right now. But it will become more of a problem as time goes on. And as I mentioned, there will be some cases you're not going to be allowed to use it or some service will be out and out denied because of it. Forcing you to get new ID's with a signature matching your name. As I mentioned, I have a bit of a nonstandard signature myself, but its much closer to a standard signature than your's, and mine causes me trouble at times.

Will take your advise:) as of for now I don't think I can do anything cause all my document are in the process in nvc stage. And we are done in uscis. Crossing my finger right now and hoping it won't affect everything cause we are almost close to the finish :'(