Question about last names on paperwork/documents

[mam521 2,691]

I didn't change my last name.  I've had my name all of my life...why change it?  I also didn't want to endure the cost and hassle in 2 countries for all the reasons Crazy Cat mentions.  

 

In Canada, if you're from QC, the QC government doesn't allow spousal name changes.  It's considered a "civil right" to use your surname at birth.  Even if you're married outside of the province and have changed it elsewhere, for everything in the province, you have to use your birth name.  

[Dashinka 26,180]

8 minutes ago, mam521 said:

I didn't change my last name.  I've had my name all of my life...why change it?  I also didn't want to endure the cost and hassle in 2 countries for all the reasons Crazy Cat mentions.  

 

In Canada, if you're from QC, the QC government doesn't allow spousal name changes.  It's considered a "civil right" to use your surname at birth.  Even if you're married outside of the province and have changed it elsewhere, for everything in the province, you have to use your birth name.  

Just curious, and off topic a bit, but if couples from QC keep their birth names upon marriage by law, what determines the surname of any children?

[mam521 2,691]

3 minutes ago, Dashinka said:

Just curious, and off topic a bit, but if couples from QC keep their birth names upon marriage by law, what determines the surname of any children?

Ha!  You'll chuckle about this one.  They can choose either a single name from either parent, a hyphenated name, or, if the parents have hyphenated names themselves, either a single name from one of the hyphenated names, whole hyphenated name of one parent or a mix of the hyphenated names from both parents.  It's 50 shades of messed up!  

[S2N 507]

My personal favorite last name law is in Chile — they legally have two last names but in practice only use the paternal one (that goes first.)

 

If for some reason you don’t like your dad you are permitted by law to change the order of the last names once, and only once. Having daddy issues was the actual reason this major change to the law was permitted a few years ago. As far as I’m aware, even if there’s a name change out of country you’re stuck with your birth last name otherwise.

[OldUser 10,607]

30 minutes ago, S2N said:

My personal favorite last name law is in Chile — they legally have two last names but in practice only use the paternal one (that goes first.)

 

 

Oh man, countries with such rules make it really difficult for an immigrant! I'd never change my name in USA if my country of origin would have made it difficult or impossible to do it.

[Ontarkie 15,022]

~~Moved to Moving Here and Your New Life, from IR1/CR1 P&P- as the OP's spouse has entered the US and they are wondering about name changes.~~