Changing His Name?

schmella · August 2011

Okay, so I've tried to see if this question has been asked, but the search function on Knot is awful.

We've decided to take a completely new name when we get married. We are both very excited about the prospect and look at it as a symbol of us starting a life together. I have tried to find information about name changes but can't find any online.

Anyone have any info on the name change process for him in Illinois? I can't imagine it would be any different than if we both decided to hyphenate, so if you have any info on hyphenation, that would be helpful too.

Thanks!

MyWedding13 · August 2011

I think you just have to start with the social security office. There are forms in the office or online where anyone can change their name as long as you have an ID proving who you are. Good luck!

aimers1525 · August 2011

I'm pretty sure it's the same process as if just you were changing your name. Start w/SSA--you have to show your marriage certificate. Then you can change your name to whatever you want (ie the hyphenation).

hz80408 · August 2011

Yep, I agree with the others. One of the girls on my month board did this. They created a new last name by combining parts of each of their last names.

schmella · August 2011

Maybe I need to clarify a little- I've done some research and the process varies by state. So while I know its possible, in some states it can cost around $500 for the guy to change his name. All that I can verify is that in Illinois, if we did this in 2007 it would have been very expensive and we would have been required to go to court to plead our case. I'm hopeful that this has since changed, but I cannot find any recent information about it.

So did anyone on here do this in Illinois more recently? And was it the same process for both parties or was it more complicated for him?

(All of the PP make it sound so simple but I've had so many people insist that it will be a nightmare. I hope you are all right!)

hz80408 · August 2011

Post-Google: It looks like to do anything other than take your husbands name, or hypenated them; then besides listing the new names on the marriage license; you also need to get a court order...but the website I'm finding this in isn't IL specific. Sorry, IDK!

aimers1525 · August 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_illinois-chicago_changing-his-name?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:72Discussion:a6534e62-68e2-43fb-9894-8f70dfd5b907Post:198737e6-e707-42c4-8fd0-4ff392d7d703">Re: Changing His Name?</a>:
[QUOTE]You need to get a life. What are you doing reading wedding blogs when you got married in 2009?
Posted by alisonsmith30[/QUOTE]
hmmmm you're one to talk...your profile says you were married on Sept. 25, 2010

fashionx · August 2011

I don't know for sure how it works here in IL specifically either, but from what I've gathered reading online is that it's different for a man to change his name legally than it is for you to take on your hustband's name legally. To make it easier on both of you, he should legally change his name in the court prior to the wedding. Then you can change your name to his new name after the wedding without trouble since you will follow the same process any other married woman does when changing her name. I don't think he can change his name using just the marriage license at the SS office, especially if it's not your name either, it's a totally new name. I would call the SS office rather than rely on online information to find out for sure though.

Bimbi284 · August 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_illinois-chicago_changing-his-name?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:72Discussion:a6534e62-68e2-43fb-9894-8f70dfd5b907Post:8cab2186-1cc8-4cc8-811a-c46a1b29da70">Re: Changing His Name?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Changing His Name? : hmmmm you're one to talk...your profile says you were married on Sept. 25, 2010
Posted by aimers1525[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>Plus, she apparently just joined yesterday. She hasn't been around here long enough to make such judgements. The OP was looking for some information and came to a place where she thought she would find it...no harm there.

</div>

MrsMirMaz · August 2011

OP, DH and I looked into creating a new last name. In order to do so you have to file change of name documents which include going before a judge to ensure you are of sound mind etc etc. It is an expensive process during to filing costs and you'll most likely need to take a day off work. I would recommend what pp did of having your FI go ahead and do the change before you are married and then you'll just take his last name. Otherwise you'll both have to do the formal change of name.

In the end we decided to just to both go my last name his last name, which can done for both of us at the ss office. We couldn't make anything new up that was worth the time and effort and costs.

Good luck to you!

schmella · August 2011

Thank you all! We are pretty set on creating a new name, so I'd rather be prepared. If it takes more time & effort, we can definitely put it in but not last minute!

Thanks!

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