Name change early?

miss.jawright · March 2010

So I am getting married a month or two before I get my phD and I really want my name on the diploma to be my married name. ( It's just better for publications and so on.) I had a friend who was a lawyer and changed her name early so that her degree would match. I was also thinking it would be one less then I need to worry about after the wedding and before I defend my degree. Has anyone else done or heard of doing this? I lurked first but didn't see anything on here about this recently.

tlv204 · March 2010

To change your name the easy way, you need the marriage certificate, therefore you couldn't do it before the wedding. However (and I'm certainly not a lawyer), I think it might be possible to get a court order to change it early. Don't ask me how to go about doing that though

Also, I might be confused, but why couldn't you do it after the wedding before you graduate? I understand having one less thing to worry about, but it doesn't take ALL that long unless you run into complications, and can usually happen within a few weeks of the wedding.

miss.jawright · March 2010

That's very true. It will just be a crazy time. And anyone can change their name at anytime to whatever they want. Just like the friends show when fibi changes her name to princess banana hamock. I just heard there was a lot of paper work but I have never tried it and if it's easy then I would just wait. Thanks!

miss.jawright · March 2010

Oh also I have turn in my paper work three or four months before I graduate. I knew there was a better reason I thought that I should change early

thesuninherhead · March 2010

If the PhD thesis assessment there is anything like it is here, you'll inevitably be waiting longer than you expect to graduate- going back and forth with reviewers comments and the like, which often blow out time frames.

In any case, you can use your married name on any papers etc you send to journals in the interim. I can't comment on the logistics of name changes over there, but I know here in Aus it's often a lot of paperwork to change your name without marriage- much more so than with... and given your marriage certificate (or whatever you sign over there) is a legal document, if you officially change your name early, you'll be signing to marry under your married surname rather than your maiden name, which might be a little odd. I'd personally hold off until you're 100% sure that you will be graduating/making the final thesis submission when you expect and do the change then (and change your name on the relevant thesis documents for final submission then, too).

thesuninherhead · March 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_name-change-early?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:f88ae5b2-c9e8-4dd8-8d2a-30c80c6a2802Post:410aed4c-dd6f-4db2-bb4e-74b827c535f4">Name change early?</a>:
[QUOTE]( It's just better for publications and so on.)
Posted by miss.jawright[/QUOTE] Just on this point: You can publish in whatever name you like. I submitted numerous articles under my married name before I was married and it was officially my name. Journals aren't going to check your official records so this isn't really a necessitating factor.

FutureMrsL.R.Allen · March 2010

I am finishing my Masters about 3 weeks after our wedding, so my name will not be changed by then. I spoke with the University and they said they would issue my diploma in my maiden name and then when I have legally changed my name they will just issue a second diploma in my new name, no biggie. My thesis will be submitted in my maiden name, but if I get it published in the future I can publish it in my married name.

tlv204 · March 2010

fibi = phoebe?

Yeah I have no idea how difficult it is to obtain a court order for a name change, but I very highly doubt that anyone can actually change their name to whatever they want whenever they want. I mean clearly it happens, but I would assume most judges would require a reason before issuing a court order. I just assumed Friends dramatized that a bit

squirrly · March 2010

Why not talk to your advisor or someone at your university about this? Possibly they would let you change your name for the diploma upon receipt of the marriage certificate despite filing to start the process with your maiden name.

But, many women have changed their names after getting married having already started their careers with their maiden names. I recognize that it might be easier, but I also think you might be over thinking it a bit.

kimheartsscott · March 2010

Obviously you have not read about Scott Nall, who now goes by Optimus Prime. :]

MyNameIsNot · March 2010

A legal name change isn't a huge ordeal. It's a pain, but it isn't the end of the world. Call your county clerk and find out the process in your state. You'll probably need to file a bunch of papers, publish something in the legal paper, and get it signed by a judge. In my state, you can do it for about $300, and it takes about 60 days.

Kristin789 · March 2010

>> I very highly doubt that anyone can actually change their name to whatever they want whenever they want.

Actually, you CAN but it costs about $900. Every now and then, a student of mine changes his/her name on the 21st birthday. Usually it's a situation of the biodad preventing the kid's last name to change until the 21st bday, and then on the 21st bday, the kid changes the last name of the step-dad's last name.

And FutureMrs is absolutely right. You can file your Ph.D. paperwork on time, with your maiden name. Then after you marry, you still have a month or so before graduation to schedule a meeting with someone in Registration/Records to change your name with the university - and make sure that includes your Application for Graduation and the diploma printing. I didn't get the actual Ph.D. diploma until about 2 months after graduation, so they don't even print them prior to the ceremony. You have time to do your name change and have the diploma printed in the name you want.

mushE · March 2010

You're in Orange County, CA? If so, I am in California, and my mom recently changed her name (first name, but it's all the same), and to do it the hard way (i.e., not because you married and have the license), you have to file papers, run notices in the local paper, and appear before a judge. It cost over $600.

I have a professional degree and publications, etc. in my maiden name, and, FWIW, I'm probably going to hyphenate after I get married. In my profession, my current and future last names all show up in a listing, so it doesn't matter which way I go.

I also agree with PP that your school might reissue your diploma with your new name - it's a good idea to check.

Sarah&Nick0530 · March 2010

I had a friend who was going to get her name legally changed (didn't want her bio parents' name anymore) and the day of decided to add Shakespeare into her name. It's her middle name now. lol

Sorry, I know that doesn't help you at all...except know that if you've got an understanding judge, your name could be anything!!!

MyNameIsNot · March 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_name-change-early?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:f88ae5b2-c9e8-4dd8-8d2a-30c80c6a2802Post:54a26f50-6494-4958-bf76-72de7159da1f">Re: Name change early?</a>:
[QUOTE]Yeah I have no idea how difficult it is to obtain a court order for a name change, but I very highly doubt that anyone can actually change their name to whatever they want whenever they want. I mean clearly it happens, but I would assume most judges would require a reason before issuing a court order. I just assumed Friends dramatized that a bit :)
Posted by tlv204[/QUOTE]

<div>You actually really can. You don't need a reason. It's just a PITA, so people don't bother. I think there are rules about not being able to have a profane name, but you can just go change it just because you don't like it. If you felt like changing your name to 12 tomorrow, you could. </div>

mushE · March 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_name-change-early?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:f88ae5b2-c9e8-4dd8-8d2a-30c80c6a2802Post:6075e226-c482-4177-82b9-86364bfc69f9">Re: Name change early?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Name change early? : You actually really can. You don't need a reason. It's just a PITA, so people don't bother. I think there are rules about not being able to have a profane name, but you can just go change it just because you don't like it. If you felt like changing your name to 12 tomorrow, you could.
Posted by MyNameIsNot[/QUOTE]

Exactly this. Most people don't do it, especially to change to a future married name. The path of least resistance is definitely to just use your married name for publications now, like Sun said.

Also, even as someone who has their diploma hanging on their wall, I don't give a crap whether it has my maiden or married name on it.

riverjib · March 2010

As far as submitting to journals is concerned, you probably don't have to worry. You can use whatever name you choose, and it shouldn't be an issue. However, changing your name after receiving your doctorate is not an easy process.

I'd talk to your advisor about this. In the worst case scenario, you can get married early but not consider it your "true" wedding day or anniversary. I've had two friends do this...in one case, it was an immigration issue in which her husband would have been forced to leave the country if his work visa was not extended, and in the other, my friend was in medical school and chose to get married to avoid paperwork confusion. In both cases, they still had an official ceremony, and consider their wedding date as their anniversary.

sarabellam · March 2010

I have changed my name, once the easy way (marriage) and once not (filing the papers through the court. It was a pain in the ass. I had to submit my fingerprints for a background check to ensure that I was not a convicted felon trying to change my name for nefarious purposes. I had to submit documentation proving that I was not a registered sex offender (which at the time was a great source of amusement to me, since I hadn't had sex in over 3 years). All because I wanted to revert back to my maiden name, but didn't do it at the time of my divorce.

AdeleDazeem · March 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_name-change-early?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:f88ae5b2-c9e8-4dd8-8d2a-30c80c6a2802Post:54a26f50-6494-4958-bf76-72de7159da1f">Re: Name change early?</a>:
[QUOTE]fibi = phoebe?
Posted by tlv204[/QUOTE]

Indeed. Awesome.

opalsky007 · March 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_name-change-early?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:f88ae5b2-c9e8-4dd8-8d2a-30c80c6a2802Post:9c9b3fbc-516f-4b8c-a5a6-60a6c6052d21">Re: Name change early?</a>:
[QUOTE]As far as submitting to journals is concerned, you probably don't have to worry. You can use whatever name you choose, and it shouldn't be an issue. However, changing your name after receiving your doctorate is not an easy process. I'd talk to your advisor about this. In the worst case scenario, you can get married early but not consider it your "true" wedding day or anniversary. I've had two friends do this...in one case, it was an immigration issue in which her husband would have been forced to leave the country if his work visa was not extended, and in the other, my friend was in medical school and chose to get married to avoid paperwork confusion. In both cases, they still had an official ceremony, and consider their wedding date as their anniversary.
Posted by riverjib[/QUOTE]

BAD idea. Marriage is marriage. It's not something you do just to avoid inconvenience.

In any case, look into your school's procedure for printing degrees. At my school, our graduation documents include a line asking what name we'd like printed on the diploma, and you can fill in literally anything, though most people just decide whether to include a middle name, maiden name, etc. This may not be true everywhere, but your school may give you some options on reissuing the diploma after a name change.

miss.jawright · March 2010

Wow this is allreally great info! THank you ladies!

Lou2127 · March 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_name-change-early?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:f88ae5b2-c9e8-4dd8-8d2a-30c80c6a2802Post:54a26f50-6494-4958-bf76-72de7159da1f">Re: Name change early?</a>:
[QUOTE]fibi = phoebe? Yeah I have no idea how difficult it is to obtain a court order for a name change, but I very highly doubt that anyone can actually change their name to whatever they want whenever they want. I mean clearly it happens, but I would assume most judges would require a reason before issuing a court order. I just assumed Friends dramatized that a bit :)
Posted by tlv204[/QUOTE]

Ocho.Cinco.

Also, one of my former clients legally changed his first name to "turnip." :)

mynameskatie · March 2010

I would look up your state to see how expensive the change is. We're in the process of dropping the hyphenation out of FI's last name legally before we get married. We're probably on the lower end of the spectrum because in a state with a low cost of living but all together it will cost us around $200 (and the majority of the that was paying the paper to publish notice of hearing).

Our state actually offers a site that takes the info you give them and inserts it into the legal name change paperwork so that you can print it out to file it. You file it with the county clerk, set a court hearing 6 weeks from the time you filed, then one day a week for 4 weeks a reputable paper publishes the notice of the hearing, then you go to the hearing and if the judge requires more information you'll testify. Its a lot of running around and kind of a pita but not terrible.

duckie1905 · March 2010

Changing your name (without marriage/divorce) is a PITA but it isn't the worst thing ever. I dropped the hypenated last name my parents gave me when I was 18. I had to fill out a ton of paperwork, appear before a judge, file some more paperwork, and generally wait for all the paperwork to clear. It took a while (maybe 2-3 months) but it was hard, just a pain.

pooh8402 · March 2010

I thought about doing this too. I'll be graduating from nursing school only 8 days before my wedding. my diploma and my nursing license will both have my maiden name. I'll have to change the nursing license, but I'm not going to try to change the name on my diploma. the way it was explained to me, and how I see it now, is that I went through school with this one name, so my diploma should reflect that.

Name change early?

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