Name Change Question (How to Change Maiden Name to Middle Name?)

Name Change Question (How to Change Maiden Name to Middle Name?)

We went to City Hall this morning to get our marriage license, which was very exciting. I have been planning on taking my FH's last name, and making my maiden name my middle name (and dropped my current middle name). Here's the issue though: the marriage license form has a spot to add a new 'surname,' meaning my FH's, but there's no spot to change your middle name. The marriage license is the legal name change doc, so I asked the clerk what I'm supposed to do. He indicated I would have to file for a legal name change with the court later on, which is a whole process that requires an attorney, etc. This seems like such a common thing, that I was surprirsed it would be such a pain. Does anyone have experience with this? Could definitely use input. :)

Re: Name Change Question (How to Change Maiden Name to Middle Name?)

I've never heard of anyone doing that. I've heard of brides hyphenating the 2 names but not dropping their middle name and changing it to the maiden name. Good luck though

Re: Name Change Question (How to Change Maiden Name to Middle Name?)

Re: Name Change Question (How to Change Maiden Name to Middle Name?)

Thanks for the input. I don't want it to turn into a big 'thing,' but I'm not sure if I'll have a problem @ the DMV, SS, etc. if I put my middle initial as my maiden initial, not my original middle initial. From what I've read, some state offices give you a problem unless it's a legal change.

Re: Name Change Question (How to Change Maiden Name to Middle Name?)

Re: Name Change Question (How to Change Maiden Name to Middle Name?)

Thanks so much Caroline!

Re: Name Change Question (How to Change Maiden Name to Middle Name?)

Thanks for the tip!

Re: Name Change Question (How to Change Maiden Name to Middle Name?)

Re: Name Change Question (How to Change Maiden Name to Middle Name?)

For the first marriage, I hyphenated my last names and when I divorced, it makes it much easier to go back to your maiden name. If you change your name, you need to ask the courts for it back during a divorce. Hopefully you will never go that route but it is important to keep that in mind. I never heard of changing the middle name like that. Just wondering, but you said that you got your marriage license in a post dated I think 1/25 and I thought I saw you were getting married in March. We were told that you had to get the marriage license up to 30 days prior but not more than, that was the max .This is for NYS. I just asked the FH if that is what he remembers and he agrees. You may want to check that.

Re: Name Change Question (How to Change Maiden Name to Middle Name?)

this is good to know,, I didnt know the procedure neither.. i was planning on hypenating but this could be an option as well.. I dont want to get ride of my last name...

Re: Name Change Question (How to Change Maiden Name to Middle Name?)

Great post! I plan on doing this as well. Only difference is that I never had a middle name to begin with. Adding my current last name as my middle name means alot to me.

Re: Name Change Question (How to Change Maiden Name to Middle Name?)

Thanks for the info, wundmoretime. In NYS the marriage license lasts for 60 days, so that'll get me past my wedding date (until 3/25). We got our marriage license early because I'm starting a new job on 2/4 and won't be able to take off again until right before the wedding.

Re: Name Change Question (How to Change Maiden Name to Middle Name?)