First post (and name change question)

Scorpio11

I have been lurking for awhile and have found good advice, but also great amusement and way too much workday distraction on here!  Not sure how much snark this post will generate, but this board is well-traveled and has lots of good advice, so it seemed like as good a forum as any other....

Anyhow, my wedding is rapidly approaching and I have decided to keep my full name and add FI's to the end.  (I like my names so am not interested in legally dropping either my middle or my maiden....)  So my question is this -- should my current last name become part of my middle name, or should I have a two-name last name (I am not hyphenating though)?  I.e.:

Jane (Ann Jones) Smith or Jane Ann (Jones Smith)

Regardless, professionally I plan to go by Jane A. Jones Smith, but any opinions on if it matters how I do it?  (Legally, logistically, mere preference, whatever!)  Thanks!

[Deleted User]

I prefer the second option.

shellydiane820

It doesn't matter.

AllAboutTheBenjamin

I don't think it matters either.

betrothed123

It's up to you.  You may want to do a bit of research into it before you make your final decision.  I don't know how accurate this is, but I've heard that if you go the dual last name route legally you're supposed to sign both names in their entirety every time you sign a legal document.  If you move it to the middle name you only have to sign the initial.  I don't know if that would push you one way or the other, but there may be other little nuances like that too.
(Edited for wording issues)

Shazzie116

I think the second sounds better. 

sarahmk5

For what it's worth, I wanted to do the second option for myself, but I heard its a PITY, so I've been reevaluating that.  Think problems with putting both names on insurance cards and airline tickets matching your passport.  Just food for thought.  And I'd appreciate it if anyone else had any insight.

526SadieSadie

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_first-post-name-change-question?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:e4959a8a-bcec-4729-98a6-03e88b252873Post:61e19dbf-a0ae-41a2-872d-9b2694405197">Re: First post (and name change question)</a>:
[QUOTE]It's up to you.  You may want to do a bit of research into it before you make your final decision.  I don't know how accurate this is, but I've heard that<em> if you go the dual last name route legally you're supposed to sign both names in their entirety every time you sign a legal document.  If you move it to the middle name you only have to sign the initial.</em>  I don't know if that would push you one way or the other, but there may be other little nuances like that too. (Edited for wording issues)
Posted by betrothed123[/QUOTE]

Betrothed makes a good point. (I deleted my previous post because I mis-read the question and my answer was therefore off topic.) 

Night_Sprite

It'll be a pain either way.  Some forms can't accomodate two names, and so on and so forth.

[Deleted User]

I think it's a hassle having two last names if you're not hyphenating. What's wrong with hyphenating anyway? It's not like you're losing your name. I would go with the second option, but I think they both sound odd because tiehr way, you have 4 names.

I haven't even bothered to change my name yet because of the hassle involved.

TurtlesAllTheWayDown

Some women I've talked to have problems with two last names without a hyphen - either they have trouble filling out forms, or people assume it's a middle name/second middle name anyway. Is there a reason you don't want a hyphen? If you do the two last name route, I think it would simplify things. Otherwise, I'd go the two middle name route.

Scorpio11

I'm not sure why I don't want a hyphen, I don't really have a good (or any...) reason for that, since it's otherwise no different from having the two names as one last name.  And I like the point about it maybe being a pain to have to sign both names on a legal document.  I think it might just be easier to go with the one last name, and then I can use my middle name(s) when I want to, but might not have to if I don't.  I'm sure I'll change my mind again in 5 minutes....

Thanks for the opinions!