One of my closest friends got married a month ago and told me she changed her name the day
before the wedding, and that all she needed to change it was her ID and the marriage license. I'm off all this week because I'm caring for FI after surgery, and since he's doing better, I thought I'd leave him for an hour and go down to Social Security and change my name. That way, it's one less thing to worry about after the wedding.
When I got up to the window, she asked me a couple of questions to ensure I was who I said I was (my father's first name, where was I born). I handed her the paperwork and she asked me what I wanted my new name to be. I'm dropping my last name entirely and so I'll be Ali Middle Name FI's Last Name. Then she said, "I can't change your name to that because I don't have your middle name in the system. In fact, you're basically two different people right now." I always put my middle name or middle initial on
everything. Apparently, when my parents got me a social security card when I was born, they left off the middle name/middle initial. Yet my middle initial appears on my driver's license and marriage license, and my whole middle name is on my passport.
So, I have to go back tomorrow with my birth certificate to prove that I was born with a middle name, since my ID and marriage license "don't match" my social security records. I told my mom and she was like, "How do they not recognize that you're the same person?" I'm like, "I don't know, Mom,
you're the one who gave me a middle name and then didn't tell Social Security!"
Just a heads-up--make SURE your marriage license has the same name that Social Security has on file, or bring as many IDs and records as you have to prove who you are.
Re: Grrr...Name change rant
[QUOTE]Wow.. I'm in Ontario, Canada and we're definitely not allowed to change it until after the wedding.
Posted by achiduck[/QUOTE]
really? i never tought about it but i would have liked to change mine earlier. i'm in ontario too.
I am still shocked that they are even letting you change your name without the marriage certificate, (as opposed to marriage license).
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Grrr...Name change rant : really? i never tought about it but i would have liked to change mine earlier. i'm in ontario too.
Posted by christinavy[/QUOTE]
When we went to get our marriage license the clerk told me that the officiant sends in the actual paperwork and then about 6-8 weeks after the wedding we apply for the marriage certificate. Once THAT arrives in the mail then I can go around changing my name.
I'm starting to wonder if the tear off stub that serves as the record of marraige will do the trick. I plan on calling the DMV to find out.
[QUOTE]That is crazy!! I am still shocked that they are even letting you change your name without the marriage certificate, (as opposed to marriage license).
Posted by Cathyl7910[/QUOTE]
It's weird, but in Connecticut, the marriage license and the marriage certificate are the same thing. Once you're legally married and the license is signed by your officiant, it becomes your marriage certificate. It confused me, too, when they handed us the license and it said "License and Certificate of Marriage." I was like, what, that's it?
Nic--you can change your name to anything you want at any time, but unless you're changing it for marriage, you have to go through Probate Court, explain why you want to change your name, and then a judge has to approve or deny your request. At least that's how it works here.
[QUOTE]I don't plan on changing my name at all, but can't you legally change your name any time you want? You don't have to be getting married (have just gotten married) to change your name. So, I guess I don't see why you would need a marriage license/certificate at all to do that. Birth certificate and social security card (and other IDs) I can understand. I hope everything works out with the middle name ordeal. My best friend recently found out that her parents never legally gave her a middle name either, so you're not alone!
Posted by Nic12184[/QUOTE]
Yes, you can legally change your name at any time. However, it's a PITA to do so. Court fees, paperwork, required public announcements, a judge has to approve it, etc etc. When you get married it's like a Free Pass to name change (as long as it's within your state's guidlines). A lot easier and more preferred :)
Wedding Website!
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Grrr...Name change rant : Yes, you can legally change your name at any time. However, it's a PITA to do so. Court fees, paperwork, required public announcements, a judge has to approve it, etc etc. When you get married it's like a Free Pass to name change (as long as it's within your state's guidlines). A lot easier and more preferred :)
Posted by heatherfitz[/QUOTE]
<div>Hmmm...did not know that. I thought you could just go to the Social Security office and change it whenever you felt like it. Maybe I watched that episode of Friends where Phoebe goes to change her name (to Princess Consuela Banana Hammock) too many times LOL! </div>