Name change

shadowkat08 · December 2010

My BF and I are not engaged yet, however it is a sure thing (he's waiting to ask my parents blessing at Christmas).

While I has assumed I would take his last name, he has brought up the subject of creating a new last name for both of us.

And not only that, but changing our full names as well. He is a junior who goes by the shortened version of his middle name, and I have one of those names everyone mispronounces.

Would all that changing be covered under whatever governs changing names by getting married? Or will there be additional fees?

Beachy730 · December 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_name-change?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:3860d938-13a6-41ef-8c96-bbc45012f25ePost:2e5c8e12-fffe-4275-bbf4-d4c1f23d16ae">Name change</a>:
[QUOTE]My BF and I are not engaged yet, however it is a sure thing (he's waiting to ask my parents blessing at Christmas). While I has assumed I would take his last name, he has brought up the subject of creating a new last name for both of us. And not only that, but changing our full names as well. He is a junior who goes by the shortened version of his middle name, and I have one of those names everyone mispronounces. Would all that changing be covered under whatever governs changing names by getting married? Or will there be additional fees?
Posted by shadowkat08[/QUOTE]

First names are not covered. But you can create a new last name for the two of you by combining your names somehow.

PsyDet 2155 · December 2010

I have never heard of this. Very interesting and unique.

lyndausvi · December 2010

I I would imagine changing your first and last names would require a court order. In some states even the groom has a problem changing their last name without one. But your best bet is to talk to a lawyer, as every state is different.

fwiw - I was not allowed to change my middle name to my maiden name without a court order. Other people have no problem getting rid of their middle name and moving their maiden name over.

shadowkat08 · December 2010

DNB- there's no easy way to combine our last names, which is why we're just going with a completely new one. However, since both our last names start with G, I believe we're going to try for another G name.

SM- you mean I'm not supposed to trust people on the internet? Whoops

katiewhompus · December 2010

http://www.namechangelaw.com/states/sc/southcarolina.htm

Some info for you.

shadowkat08 · December 2010

SM- My sincerest apologies ma'am. I should have known that a place dedicated to such an amazing and sober occation would accept my frivolity. Again, I apologise for my error.

Oh, I know. I frequent an internet chat room and it is amazing just what people will tell complete strangers.

Katie- thanks for the link

ootmother2 · December 2010

Funny, I noticed this morning whilel reading the NYT Styles section that a couple had invented a new last name for themselves. That's the first time I've seen it RIL.

I do know a guy who took his wife's surname and the both uses

Mr. and Mrs. Smith Jones.

I never changed from my maiden name so I don't know what's required for a name change. M changed her middle nme to her maiden name and took her husbank's last name.

mica178 · December 2010

I've met some people who created a new last name that represented both last names. The former mayor of Los Angeles (Villanueva) is a more famous example of doing that (although hopefully your marriage won't have a similar outcome!).

Check with your state. In California, both members of the couple are allowed to change both their middle and last names at the time of the marriage for free. However, if you want to change your first name, you'd have to undergo a legal petition and pay hefty fees. Some states do not allow men to change their last name without paying a fee.

Birdie1483 · December 2010

They totally did this in Father of the Bride 2!

Zankman!

TurtlesAllTheWayDown · December 2010

I know a couple who created an entirely new last name about 35 years ago when they got married. I thought it was pretty cool.

Like PPs said, first names aren't covered. In my county/state either party can change their middle or last name, but only to the birth or current middle/last name of the other party (or your own birth name), or a combination of any of those names. So you could combine, but not create a new name out of thin air.

Most likely, he'll have to go get a court-ordered name change before the wedding, then you could change your last name through the marriage certificate. Good luck!

TurtlesAllTheWayDown · December 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_name-change?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:3860d938-13a6-41ef-8c96-bbc45012f25ePost:43ed56ef-90c3-46e3-b0d3-6e5514308d0c">Re: Name change</a>:
[QUOTE]I've met some people who created a new last name that represented both last names. The former mayor of Los Angeles (Villanueva) is a more famous example of doing that (although hopefully your marriage won't have a similar outcome!). Check with your state. In California, both members of the couple are allowed to change both their middle and last names at the time of the marriage for free. However, if you want to change your first name, you'd have to undergo a legal petition and pay hefty fees. Some states do not allow men to change their last name without paying a fee.
Posted by mica178[/QUOTE]

Current mayor, and it's Villaraigosa. Combination of Villar (his birth name) and Raigosa (his now ex-wife's birth name).

mica178 · December 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_name-change?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:3860d938-13a6-41ef-8c96-bbc45012f25ePost:e9e6e108-07b0-4b19-ae8a-f886cf7596a4">Re: Name change</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Name change : Current mayor, and it's Villaraigosa. Combination of Villar (his birth name) and Raigosa (his now ex-wife's birth name).
Posted by msmerymac[/QUOTE]

You're right. I was delirious when I wrote that last night. Is he still the mayor? Why does that election seem so long ago?

Name change

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