Finally went to DMV and guess what?

My hyphenated last name has 20 characters and that is the max you can have for a whole name. So to change my name, I would have had to only have my last name and NO first name or initial. I had a feeling it would be too long, but so long that I couldn't even get my first initials? The one at DMV was really nice and told me I should keep my maiden name until I really want to just take DH's last name only.

Funny thing, though. I did Social Security name change a few weeks ago and since they increased their character allottment, they were able to give me my first middle and hyphenated last name. Granted it is on two lines, but I got it.

I think I should write to DMV and tell them they should extend the characters allowed. DH only has his first two initials on his license. It is ridiculous. We are in an age of technology, how come no one can shrink the letters a little to make it fit on the card?

let me know how the fight goes.

I wanted

Veronica MiddleLetter MaidenLast MarriedLast

8 ltrs, 1ltr, 5ltr, 2 ltr.
Four names VERY traditional hispanic thing to do.

BUT NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO I had to choose.

So I dropped my old middle name. That freaked them out more. I didnt want to hyphenate. So now Im Veronica Maiden Married.

bah

UGh sorry to hear that! I live in VA and I don't know if there is a limit but my total name was 21 characters and got it all: Jean Marie Maiden Last Name Married Last Name.

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Posted by oneday

All DH and I have is our first intial and last name now. Everything fit on the SS card. You'd think they could make it the same on both. We always get some hard looks when we fly b/c there is no first name to compare the ticket to (and no matter what I do when I book the tickets, the hypehated name always gets printed as one REALLY LONG name.)

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This is why I decided not to change it. If I had changed it, the woman told me they HAVE to list the whole last name and then there wouldn't even be room for a first initial.

Somehow I didn't think that would work really well in places where I need to show ID.

Wow--I didn't realize there was a max. I always use my middle initial & if I had hyphenated my name, first, middle inital, oldlast-newlast, would have been 22 characters & my names aren't that long.

I had actually hyphenated on my marriage license, but changed my mind--I thought they'd give me a problem, but I guess this way is better for everyone, since it fits!

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Posted by jeanla4c

UGh sorry to hear that! I live in VA and I don't know if there is a limit but my total name was 21 characters and got it all: Jean Marie Maiden Last Name Married Last Name.

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How funny mine is 21 too!! I did the same thing, Kathryn Maiden name married name. I haven't had any problems so far in VA