Changing Last Name

carranzadg

When my fiance and I get married I want to change my last name to Denise MyLast His Last.  Please note, I don't want to have a hyphenated last name.  I want to keep my maiden name because I've accomplished a lot in my 28 years and I would like to make sure that all my hard work isn't lost because of a name change.  I would also like to take on his last name so that I can share a last name with our future children.  For all legal & professional purposes I would go by Denise MyLast HisLast. For social purposes I would just go by Denise HisLast.  I also don't want to make my maiden name my middle name.  I've done some research and from my understanding the State of California does not allow for a double last name unless hyphenated.  This doesn't make since since most computer systems won't let you enter a hyphen anyway. Is this correct?  Any California brides have experience with this? Thanks

6fsn

Somewhere in that wall she says she doesn't want to make the last name the middle.  This sort of thing really never crossed my mind.  It's a name.

PMeg819

Or can you just have two middle names? Legally you'd be FirstName HisLastName, but you could still professionally use the combo you'd like.

MinM

I read her screen name as Carrann's Dog.

Do you like Target and shoplifting?

TheDuckis

I read it as Carrann's A Dog.

OP, what's on the official documents doesn't really matter. You can go by whatever you want. People aren't going to ask for your social security card before they agree to call you something.

The only time your legal name might come up is when you pay taxes, buy property or write a will.

DG1

Dude. What does the state of california know if your name is SmithJones or Smithjones.  "Robertson" is technically 2 words, but no one freaks out that their name has to be Robert-Son, do they?

And seriously, don't assume you'll just get to make decisions about what your professional name would be.  I did First Maiden Last, but my company's email would only support a "firs.last@company.com" format. So yep, all of my maiden accomplishments were pretty much gone.

I highly recommend just keeping your name.  Your kids will know you're their mother, and you can always give them your maiden name as a middle name if it's that important to you.

A friend of mine switches off - her first kid has her husband's last name. Second kid has hers. Third kid has her husband's. Fourth is planned and will have hers.

Really, there are no rules here.

DG1

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_wedding-woes_changing-last-name?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:47Discussion:0698de78-0e09-4f23-8d4b-0425a50c3e0bPost:b89b3728-0eba-479b-9699-88c7dfe1fa46">Re: Changing Last Name</a>:
[QUOTE]The only time your legal name might come up is when you pay taxes, buy property or write a will.
Posted by TheDuckis[/QUOTE]

Or when you give your SS# to your employer, so they can withhold your taxes and fill out your W2. And when their HR system is the source of all information - like your email address and your name badge and the nameplate on your desk - you're kindof stuck.

Socially? Whatever. Professionally, you can't always do what you want. Keep your name, and socially go by First HisLast.

TheDuckis

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_wedding-woes_changing-last-name?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:47Discussion:0698de78-0e09-4f23-8d4b-0425a50c3e0bPost:994dcd12-d49d-4783-82f6-07a88242d0c4">Re: Changing Last Name</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Changing Last Name : Or when you give your SS# to your employer, so they can withhold your taxes and fill out your W2. And when their HR system is the source of all information - like your email address and your name badge and the nameplate on your desk - you're kindof stuck. Socially? Whatever. Professionally, you can't always do what you want. Keep your name, and socially go by First HisLast.
Posted by DG1[/QUOTE]

Not having a real job remedies that situation easily. :o)

But, at my old company it was just a matter of filling out 1 form to get whatever name I wanted on my badge and email. I go by a shortened version of my legal first name, and wanted that on my email instead of the full version. It's the same basic concept with last names.

ElleB87

Everyone already calls me Mrs.HisLastName "socially" but I am not changing my last name legally because my diplomas and published works are in my maiden name.  If you have a lot attached to your maiden name I wouldn't bother changing your last name legally

MinM

My dipl

MinM

Gr...my diploma and majority of published works are under my maiden name, but I still changed my last name. I do not think my career has suffered because of it. Now when I publish, I put all three of my names, whereas I did not do that before. No big deal.