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Can you change the name you put on your marriage License?

Summer05 Posted: Jan 11, 2006 10:48 AM+

Summer05 MEMBER SINCE: 5/04 TOTAL POSTS : 3789 WEDDING DATE: Jul 01, 2005

Posted: Jan 11, 2006 10:48 AM

Can you change the name you put on your marriage License?

When we originally applied for our marriage license I took DH last name. (even though I plan on using my maiden name for the time being) Now I think I would like it to be hyphenated. Is it possible to go back and change it??

Mrs. dleeny Posted: Jan 11, 2006 11:27 AM+

Mrs. dleeny MEMBER SINCE: 3/05 TOTAL POSTS : 12387 WEDDING DATE: Nov 06, 2005

Posted: Jan 11, 2006 11:27 AM

Re: Can you change the name you put on your marriage License?

good question! I would call the Town Clerk's office where you got the license from and ask them.

jeanla4c Posted: Jan 11, 2006 01:27 PM+

jeanla4c MEMBER SINCE: 8/04 TOTAL POSTS : 5241 WEDDING DATE: Jul 09, 2005

Posted: Jan 11, 2006 01:27 PM

Re: Can you change the name you put on your marriage License?

I think so....NY marriage licenses don't let you do what I ended up doing....using both maiden name and married last name WITHOUT a hyphen. When I asked them they said it was fine to do with SS etc...and I had no probs (didn't change my name at all on th elicense) but it never hurts to call and make sure! GL!

charityhope Posted: Jan 11, 2006 02:43 PM+

charityhope MEMBER SINCE: 9/04 TOTAL POSTS : 432 WEDDING DATE: May 28, 2005

Posted: Jan 11, 2006 02:43 PM

Re: Can you change the name you put on your marriage License?

You can still change your name by going to court, but you can't change the license that you filed or the original marriage certificate that was issued.

You can change your name at any time, but after the license is issued, you have to go through the court to do it. From what I've been told, the court proceeding is a quick and painless process.

Good luck!

(ETA-- I was going back and forth about the name thing, which is why I researched the rules about name changes. I ended up hyphenating and am so happy I did.)

Beth1210 Posted: Jan 11, 2006 03:46 PM+

Beth1210 MEMBER SINCE: 6/05 TOTAL POSTS : 4059 WEDDING DATE: Dec 10, 2005

Posted: Jan 11, 2006 03:46 PM

Re: Can you change the name you put on your marriage License?

call them- b/c I said I was unsure about taking his name- but she told me to say I was going to

other wise we have to get REMARRIED- in town hall

how annoying!

Cindy Posted: Jan 11, 2006 05:03 PM+

Cindy MEMBER SINCE: 11/01 TOTAL POSTS : 3529 WEDDING DATE: Aug 24, 2002

Posted: Jan 11, 2006 05:03 PM

Re: Can you change the name you put on your marriage License?

I had the same issue as you. I took my husband's name and yet use my maiden name, but would have loved to have it hyphenated at this point. When I got my license, I was told that once I did this, it can not be changed unless I go through a court proceeding, which another poster mentioned. Let me know if you find out anything different. Good luck!

sunflowers74 Posted: Jan 11, 2006 06:17 PM+

sunflowers74 MEMBER SINCE: 8/04 TOTAL POSTS : 808 WEDDING DATE: Oct 08, 2005

Posted: Jan 11, 2006 06:17 PM

Re: Can you change the name you put on your marriage License?

Posted by jeanla4c

I think so....NY marriage licenses don't let you do what I ended up doing....using both maiden name and married last name WITHOUT a hyphen. When I asked them they said it was fine to do with SS etc...and I had no probs (didn't change my name at all on th elicense) but it never hurts to call and make sure! GL!

That's what I wanted too, but I took DH's last name on the license, but changed everything else including SS and drivers license to maiden married with no hyphen.