If you only changed your name for some purposes...

did you have problems with changing some things and not others? I want to open a joint bank account with DH under my married name, but I'm not changing my name for professional purposes, and even though my work paychecks will have my married name, I may still receive court appointments in my maiden name which would be paid to me in my maiden name. (Sorry if that was long and confusing.) When did you open joint accounts - after you received your marriage certificate and after you changed things for SS purposes or can you do it right away before you get the marriage certificate? Do you need to have photo ID to open a bank account in your married name, which would mean I would have to change my driver's license first? I plan on leaving my Attorney Secure Pass in my maiden name, and I would like to have a bank account in that name at the same bank as our joint accounts, but don't know how that would work.

OK, I'm babbling and could use a little guidance. Any and all info is greatly appreciated.

Re: If you only changed your name for some purposes...

We opened up a joint bank account before the wedding in my maiden name. After the wedding, I went to the bank and had them change it to my married name by showing them the marriage license. I only did this so that I could cash checks in my married name and have one credit/bank card with my married name. But if you haven't opened a joint account yet, you can do it now under your married name once you have the marriage license.

I still have my own bank account in my maiden name, and I'm not changing my name for anything else yet b/c I'm an attorney too and I'm not sure I can practice under my new name without notifying the bar, and that sounds like a nightmare.

Re: If you only changed your name for some purposes...

Oh, you feel my pain!

You can change it, but you have to contact OCA and it's never a guarantee that they won't screw something up.

My problem is that we're both changing banks and opening accounts in the same place (we currently have our own accounts at different banks), and I hope they will allow me to open accounts in both names. I guess I'll open my own first and then add on another one after I get the marriage certificate.

Re: If you only changed your name for some purposes...

When you got your marriage license, did you put on it that you would be known by your husband's last name? If so, you should have no problems in opening new accounts in either name. You may want to leave your maiden name on some account though for a little while for purposes of depositing checks.

Honestly, I just can't imagine changing my name on everything right now. The bar, passport, drivers license, social security, credit cards, banks, investment accounts, utility bills, the post office, and other things that I'll probably forget. I mean - who has that kind of time when you work full time?!?!

Re: If you only changed your name for some purposes...

I did indicate that I would be taking his last name. I'm more concerned that some moron at the bank will tell me that I'm not allowed to have accounts in both names. I can't tell you how many times I've gotten into arguments with banks because their policies run contrary to the law.

I hear you on changing everything. My HR director was nice enough to allow me to fill out my health insurance form to add DH on before I left and she sent it in for me while I was gone, but we weren't sure how I should sign it since I was also requesting a name change as well, so we decided that I should sign it twice - with each name. I hope they don't screw that up too badly, as the health insurance is the top issue for us right now. What a pain in the azz this getting married/changing your name thing is. Men are too lucky!

Re: If you only changed your name for some purposes...

One thing you need to be aware of... I went to change my name at SS, and there were a few people there having problems. Apparently, the DMV, SS and IRS computers now interface and everything must match or it will get kicked back. So, if you do your taxes and you have to submit paperwork with different names they may kick it back to you (or worse yet, audit you). The names, SS# and dates of birth on all paperwork must match.

If the items you're changing do not involve any of the above, then it shouldn't be a problem. I would think bank accounts would be involved as well as SS and your job.