Can someone explain EXACTLY how to change your last name to your middle name in NY?

Original post by BlondeJD

May 17, 2005 12:10 PM

This is a spin-off to the maiden name post. Can anyone tell us HOW exactly you change you last name to your middle name from start to finish? Do you just sign your marriage license with the new name name you want and then later go to court to change it? Or can you do that before? Do you have to go to court to change it? Etc, etc. Thanks for the help!

Goldi1021 Posted: May 17, 2005 02:51 PM

Re: Can someone explain EXACTLY how to change your last name to your middle name in NY?

Posted by curliegirl

Attica

I was told that if you do not have a middle name you can change your maiden name to your middle name, no problem, even at DMV.

It's when you already HAVE a middle name, then it needs to be legally changed.

I want to be able to interchange Gina Maiden and Gina Married for separate reasons, and be legally known by both. I guess I will have to figure it out on my own, this is too confusing!

This is what I want to do. That is why I thought I would have to have it changed legally aside from simply filing a marriage license.

My name now is:

Leslie Allison Maiden

I want to be known as:

Leslie Allison Maiden Married

...LEGALLY after I get married - NO hyphen. That means ADDING my maiden name as a middle name. That cannot be assumed, it has to be legal somewhere - just not sure where or which office - maybe SS office would be enough.

Goldi1021 Posted: May 17, 2005 02:52 PM

Re: Can someone explain EXACTLY how to change your last name to your middle name in NY?

Come to think of it, I SHOULD just change my name to: Leslie Is Married and 'Is' will be my middle name.

curliegirl Posted: May 17, 2005 02:54 PM

Re: Can someone explain EXACTLY how to change your last name to your middle name in NY?

Posted by Goldi1021

Come to think of it, I SHOULD just change my name to: Leslie Is Married and 'Is' will be my middle name.

ckgmwedding Posted: May 17, 2005 03:03 PM

Re: Can someone explain EXACTLY how to change your last name to your middle name in NY?

Posted by Goldi1021

Posted by curliegirl

Attica

I was told that if you do not have a middle name you can change your maiden name to your middle name, no problem, even at DMV.

It's when you already HAVE a middle name, then it needs to be legally changed.

I want to be able to interchange Gina Maiden and Gina Married for separate reasons, and be legally known by both. I guess I will have to figure it out on my own, this is too confusing!

This is what I want to do. That is why I thought I would have to have it changed legally aside from simply filing a marriage license.

My name now is:

Leslie Allison Maiden

I want to be known as:

Leslie Allison Maiden Married

...LEGALLY after I get married - NO hyphen. That means ADDING my maiden name as a middle name. That cannot be assumed, it has to be legal somewhere - just not sure where or which office - maybe SS office would be enough.

I have been searching for hours about this topic since I want to do the same thing. I can't get a clear answer anywhere but I am NOT giving up my maiden name completely. I have too many degrees and professional associations to it to do so.