Name change nonsense
Hi there! This one's for all the marrieds who changed middle and last names and survived.
I'm in the middle of the excruciating process of changing my name so that my name is now Firstname Middlenameismaidenname Marriedlastname. This is proving to be a huge pain in the ass. Legally, this is my name and my new social security card reflects this, but the Department of Transportation will not issue me a new license unless I can provide two additional documents (not including my social security card or marriage license) that identify me as Firstname Middlenameismaidenname Marriedlastname specifically. This is proving to be a catch-22 since things like my auto insurance and registration can't be changed until my license is.
The DMV even rejected my bank's proof of name change because the paperwork wasn't my monthly statement. I've contacted my utility companies and am also waiting to receive forms so I can change my name with them. (If it helps, I live in Pennsylvania.)
I was really hoping to speed this along but I can't think of anything I can change over to my current name easily. Has anyone else done this and/or has any tricks to help me out?
TL;DR: Married person can't change middle and last name with DMV without proof that the new name is real. Any thoughts on what documents I can change then submit to the DMV?
Re: Name change nonsense
I know some states do things differently and you are required to put your intended future name on your marriage license. Is PA one of those states? Is that why you are having a hard time?
I hope it gets done for you as quickly as possible!
I'd call the DMV's main line and ask for clarification and advice. When I was trying to help my brother get a new ID they were a huge help when he was initially rejected.
I'm starting to feel like one of those poster who only wants to argue and tell everyone how hopeless my situation is! Sorry!
@OliveOilsMomI'm really lucky and don't have student loans. And unfortunately for this situation, in PA, when you apply for a marriage license, you apply with your current, pre-marriage name.
@Kimmiinthemitten - I think that my request is considered 'non-traditional', and it'd be good to ask for clarification, thanks for suggesting.
I actually did go back to the DMV with name change verification and account info from two banks, and they were rejected because they weren't statements. Ugh. It'll get done, but it's just going to be another month or so of some of my stuff with my old name and some with my new name.
@AddieCake - the DMV was treating my documentation similarly to your H's Labelgate. Even though I had enough paperwork (one of which was on bank letterhead), they were still suspect. Obviously I had fabricated the official bank documents.
I do intend to similarly change my name after marriage, and be FirstName MiddleName MaidenName NewLastName. In order to do that legally in New York even before Social Security, you have to do a full court petition for name change first. (New York will not let you change your middle name due to marriage). THEN do all the other rigmarole for SS/DMV/airlines/etc. I hear you on hoops for non traditional name changes.
I've tried to think through other options, but ultimately I really want to keep my full birth name AND take his last name, and not have to hyphenate. So I will jump through hoops to legally have my cake and eat it too.
Good luck!
Good luck to you too! I advise trying to have more patience than I currently have.
Why do you need your maiden/middle with the DMV?
I changed my middle and last with Social Security. Brought that form to the DMV and they handed me a license with just my first name and new last name. They left the middle spot blank and I'm like hey whatever, not my problem. I just left it like that. When I book airline tickets and stuff I leave out the middle initial so it'll match my ID.
@jenna8984 As PPs have mentioned, changing your middle name with the DMV is a 'non-traditional' name change. I could have just changed my last name, sure, but I didn't want to. I wanted to change my middle and last names.
@shaker277 that's what I'm going to end up doing - I've already changed my voter registration, and I still need a new passport picture so I can change my passport too. It's just annoying that it takes so long to change things over!
If I only changed my middle name, my middle name and last name would've been the same. Also, PennDOT will only accept two of the following: voter registration, selective service card, baptism record, bank statement, W2 form (apparently a pay stub won't work?) or passport with my new name exactly as I'd like the DMV to put it, which is surprisingly more difficult to get than expected but I'm working on it. Believe me, I've tried to bargain with them. Hopefully I'll have what I need by the end of the week!
What you should do if you haven't already is take the new last name and go to court to legally change your middle name to your maiden name.
For example, if your name before marriage was Tracy Anabelle Williams and you want to be Tracy Williams Scott (new last name), you need to go to orphans court to change your middle name.
I hope this helps!
OP update: my driver's license became official in mid-July, after providing the DMV with my marriage certificate, SS card, new (expensive, expedited) passport, and revised voter registration card. I felt vindicated until I had to sign my new name for my license and didn't know how to do it smoothly because I'd never practiced, haha.
@MrsPeacock2016 the orphan's court has no authority higher than the social security office. My name change was legal and official as soon as I got my new SS card. Getting in contact with the orphan's court thereafter was not a necessary step at all. I just had to get a few other places onboard with my new name.
Super weird, amirite?
Since I can't seem to shake it off (heh), please elaborate how you were able to change your middle and last name in PA within weeks of your wedding without any of the mandatory requirements listed on the DL-80, all despite your more pressing (now resolved!) legal issues and gallbladder surgery. I must be a real stupid asshole.