I got married around a month ago, and I decided that I would make my maiden name my new middle name and take my husband's name. So for example, I go from Jane Mary Doe to Jane Doe Johns according to social security administration. (I live in Ohio btw) Go to the license bureau and give them the letter from the SSA and marriage certificate saying I changed my name on my SS card. I fill out the paperwork, and the clerk gives me a print out of what will go on my new license: Jane M Doe Johns, with my last name being Doe Johns. I said I dropped the M and she said I can't make my maiden name my new middle name (even though my MIL has it that way) She wasn't very nice so I just went with it, and didn't think it was a big deal that I technically had two last names on my license. I apply for my new passport (leaving the country next week so had to expedite and overnight it..quite pricy) to say Jane Doe Johns, just like my social security card (sent in marriage cert). Then, I had my ID scanned for a background check...On the screen, it came up with two last names and the person asked if I was missing a hyphen and I had to explain that my name needed to be Jane Doe Johns. Went back to BMV and they explained that with the REAL ID Act, ohio ids must show whatever was on our birth certificate plus new last name or have a legal name change done. So the name on my license can't be changed without going through probate court. No thanks
CN: Technically I have a (slightly) different name on my OH license (last name = maiden name + married name) than my social security card and passport (maiden name as middle name, married name as last name). Any clue as to what my legal name is? How much does it matter? I have no idea what to do now because I definitely did my homework on the name changing process and didn't realize that what I wanted to do was so complicated in Ohio.