2 names?

Acarluccio · November 2010

Hey girls,

I'm wondering if anyone can answer this for me. Is it possible (legal) to have 2 different names- a professional name, and a legal name? I am going into the medical field, and would like to work under my maiden name (as I have publications in it, my father is a well known physician, etc), but I would like take my fiances name as my legal name. Can you do this? If so, can you also open credit cards and bank accounts in your professional name if it is for a business?

Thanks for your help!

strlzfan11 · November 2010

I would think that you can't legally have two names, because what you are proposing is such. What you could do is not change your name, but go by your married name in social settings.

Trifury2007 · November 2010

Yup. I use my original name professionally i.e. on my law license and H's name socially and on things we have together.

marissa_claire · November 2010

I don't think legally you can (like all of your accounts, driver's license, etc. need to be in one name) but I've known women who own their own business that keep their maiden name for their business.

fhorns147 · November 2010

You can definitely use both. I'm not sure about the credit cards and bank accounts though (sorry). Another popular solution is to use your maiden name as a middle name for professional purposes so people will still be able to recognize that it's you.

AllAboutTheBenjamin · November 2010

I work in broadcasting and after the wedding I plan to legally change my name to my new husband's last name, but professionally, on the air, I will continue to use my maiden name.

kd.joseph · November 2010

My lawyer once told me as long as you are not defrauding anyone, you can use any name you want. And many women in my DH's office are doing exactly that, married name for everything else, maiden for professional.

TurtlesAllTheWayDown · November 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_2-names?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:9647310e-ffd2-4099-8675-d369cf4bc270Post:9b888e82-6d18-445e-9717-752047f75d5e">Re: 2 names?</a>:
[QUOTE]My lawyer once told me as long as you are not defrauding anyone, you can use any name you want. And many women in my DH's office are doing exactly that, married name for everything else, maiden for professional.
Posted by kd.joseph[/QUOTE]

This. However, like PPs said, you have to have a legal name and be able to prove that's your name on your SS card, license, mortgage, professional documents, credit cards, taxes, etc. If you want to open business cards in your name I'd either move your maiden to your middle (and go by Sally Smith Jones), or keep your maiden name (Sally Smith) and go by Sally Jones informally (like when being addressed at the holidays, or your kids' school, or whatever).

Moneypenny424 · November 2010

Yep, you can go by 2 names, but only one of them can be your legal name. I go by Moneypenny Maiden Married so that I have my bases covered

.

SarahPLiz · November 2010

I think it depends on the licensing agency rules as well. My CPA license and my CFE license have to be in my legal name. If I change my legal name, I have to change those as well. Of course, I could keep my legal name and just use FI's name socially, but all of my accounts would have to be in my legal name as well. I'm pretty sure you can't apply for credit or get a bank account without proof of a legal name, especially with the Patriot Act in force.

mica178 · November 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_2-names?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:9647310e-ffd2-4099-8675-d369cf4bc270Post:a421cb59-c005-4f35-a00b-e5b0ca065957">Re: 2 names?</a>:
[QUOTE]Yep, you can go by 2 names, but only one of them can be your legal name. I go by Moneypenny Maiden Married so that I have my bases covered :).
Posted by Moneypenny424[/QUOTE]

<div>Me too.</div><div>
</div><div>In CA, you can apply for a fictitious business name (e.g. mica maidenname) if you want to legally change your name to your husband's name but want to continue practicing with your maiden/previous name. That would make things consistent for legal and tax purposes. A bunch of movie stars did this. You would need a unique name, though. I have a feeling "Jane Smith" is probably already taken.</div>

redheadfsu · November 2010

Yep, a person can only have one legal name. But, you can use any name socially. (like how one uses a nickname). Some business licenses allow you to use a nickname to practice as long as you notify them & they have your legal name on record (not defrauding anyone). Banks usually need your legal name.

2 names?

Re: 2 names?

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