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Changing your name/signing licence

McCMalMcCMal member
10 Comments 5 Love Its Name Dropper First Anniversary
edited August 2014 in Chit Chat
Ok, so I have no idea how to go about changing my name. So when we went to get our marriage licence the other day, I asked the recorder, she told me to go to social security and change it there, then come back to her and she'd do all my drivers licence and registration, etc, etc. 

 But she told me to sign the marriage licence with the name I want (First middle FI's lastname) so Social security knew what I wanted to change it to. It seems to me that I should be signing my marriage licence with my LEGAL name at the time, or am I wrong? I highly doubt this is a state thing, but I live in colorado.

How did you/will you sign your marriage licence? Is this lady over the moon or do I just not have any idea what I'm talking about?

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Re: Changing your name/signing licence

  • lyndausvilyndausvi mod
    Moderator Knottie Warrior 10000 Comments 500 Love Its
    I signed my legal name at the time of the wedding.  Which was my maiden name.  Then I changed my name.   

    I got married in NJ, so maybe it's a state thing.






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  • McCMalMcCMal member
    10 Comments 5 Love Its Name Dropper First Anniversary

    lyndausvi said:
    I signed my legal name at the time of the wedding.  Which was my maiden name.  Then I changed my name.   

    I got married in NJ, so maybe it's a state thing.
    I assume you would have to, it is after all a legal document. But my county clerk/recorder told me to do that, and I just have a bad feeling about it. 

    Did you have any problems with SS about changing your name? I'm sure they just asked you what you wanted it to be, right?

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  • lyndausvilyndausvi mod
    Moderator Knottie Warrior 10000 Comments 500 Love Its
    edited August 2014
    I was living in the US Virgin Islands at the time.  They are known for being difficult in any process you have to preform.  I didn't have any problem with giving them my marriage license.  I even add DH's name to the end of mine (with a space).  No problem.






    What differentiates an average host and a great host is anticipating unexpressed needs and wants of their guests.  Just because the want/need is not expressed, doesn't mean it wouldn't be appreciated. 
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  • CMGragainCMGragain member
    10000 Comments 500 Love Its Fourth Anniversary 25 Answers
    You sign your legal name.  ("maiden name").
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  • mysticlmysticl member
    2500 Comments 500 Love Its Fourth Anniversary First Answer
    I didn't sign my marriage license so I'm no help.
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  • mrs4everhartmrs4everhart member
    1000 Comments 500 Love Its First Anniversary First Answer
    You sign with your legal name in CO. They don't look at your name to determine change-through-marriage (versus legal change for other reasons which needs court approval) they're really more looking at it to determine that there was a legal marriage prior to the name change. Since you're under no obligation to change your name it makes sense that you'd sign with your legal name as it is at the time of signing.
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  • goldchocobo.defunct635829490514903826goldchocobo.defunct635829490514903826 member
    1000 Comments 500 Love Its First Answer Name Dropper
    Okay I was seriously JUST wondering this.  I panicked.  What if I sign Married Name and I wasn't supposed to any now I botched it and my whole life is now a lie?  I am comforted knowing I have to sign Maiden Name one more time.


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  • huskypuppy14huskypuppy14 member
    2500 Comments Fifth Anniversary 500 Love Its First Answer
    It's probably state specific. 

    I didn't change my name, but when we applied for our marriage license (MA), we had to put what our married name would be. (Though I think you would still sign it as your legal name.)

    My sister got married in a different state, and she did end up changing her name. The license in that state was all in her maiden name. There was no place where you would put your married name. 
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  • Knottie37373131Knottie37373131 member
    100 Comments 25 Love Its First Anniversary Name Dropper
    Wow, I did not even think about how I would sign my name on my marriage license. Glad I saw this!
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  • SmileDamnitSmileDamnit member
    1000 Comments 500 Love Its Second Anniversary Name Dropper
    So we married in MT (though we are CO residents) and I signed my maiden name on the marriage license. And then when I got home (3 days post-wedding, with the "official" license - they give it to you in person & don't gave to mail it, I went to the SS office, spent a whopping 15 minutes there, and walked out with my new name (temp card - real one came 5 days later). After that, the DMV, et all was super easy!
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  • McCMalMcCMal member
    10 Comments 5 Love Its Name Dropper First Anniversary
    Ok I am glad I got some overwhelming good news. Thank you all, and I'm glad it was helpful to some. It sounds like a stupid question in your head, but I'm glad I asked it. Thank you all!

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  • CMGragainCMGragain member
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    mysticl said:
    I didn't sign my marriage license so I'm no help.
    ????
    httpiimgurcomTCCjW0wjpg
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  • mysticlmysticl member
    2500 Comments 500 Love Its Fourth Anniversary First Answer
    CMGragain said:
    mysticl said:
    I didn't sign my marriage license so I'm no help.
    ????
    I got married in Virginia. In Virginia the only person who signs the license is the person who preformed the ceremony.  No witnesses are required.  The bride and groom sign the application (which you obviously use your maiden name for since you are not married) but they do not sign the actual license.  
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  • huskypuppy14huskypuppy14 member
    2500 Comments Fifth Anniversary 500 Love Its First Answer
    mysticl said:
    CMGragain said:
    mysticl said:
    I didn't sign my marriage license so I'm no help.
    ????
    I got married in Virginia. In Virginia the only person who signs the license is the person who preformed the ceremony.  No witnesses are required.  The bride and groom sign the application (which you obviously use your maiden name for since you are not married) but they do not sign the actual license.  
    Yup, this is how it is in Massachusetts too. If we signed it the day of, I would have seen the officiant made a mistake on the date, and not had to wait until the official certified copy was mailed to my house.
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  • CMGragainCMGragain member
    10000 Comments 500 Love Its Fourth Anniversary 25 Answers
    Wow!  I learn new things every day!  Thanks!
    httpiimgurcomTCCjW0wjpg
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  • JennyColadaJennyColada member
    2500 Comments 500 Love Its Third Anniversary First Answer
    Well my signature is unrecognizable anyway, so...

    But in CA it asks you to write what the "new" name will be. So it was pretty simple.
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  • holyguacamole79holyguacamole79 member
    5000 Comments Sixth Anniversary 500 Love Its 5 Answers
    mysticl said:
    CMGragain said:
    mysticl said:
    I didn't sign my marriage license so I'm no help.
    ????
    I got married in Virginia. In Virginia the only person who signs the license is the person who preformed the ceremony.  No witnesses are required.  The bride and groom sign the application (which you obviously use your maiden name for since you are not married) but they do not sign the actual license.  

    Same for TX




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  • lovesclimbinglovesclimbing member
    Seventh Anniversary 2500 Comments 500 Love Its First Answer
    In AK, you sign the license during the application process. The officiant and witnesses are the only ones who signed it day of. Also, you don't put down what your married name will be. Your maiden is the only name that is on the license or certificates.
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  • misshart00misshart00 member
    2500 Comments 500 Love Its Fourth Anniversary First Answer
    In oklahoma, you sign it "as your name will be known." But it says that all over the license, so there's no mistaking it.
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  • ashleyepashleyep member
    1000 Comments 500 Love Its Name Dropper First Anniversary
    edited August 2014
    I think this varies by state. I didn't sign anything at my wedding (in Massachusetts). I signed when we applied for the license, but that was nearly 2 months before the wedding and I signed my maiden name. Only the officiant signed it on the day of.
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