Question about making maiden name to middle name

Good question, since I intend to do the same thing!

I would imagine it's done on your social security card, but I'm not sure.

When a couple gets married, they also get a marriage license. On that marriage license is a line for your new name. Write it in, and you're done!

* a la Jennifer Anniston Pitt although she never changed her professional name to Pitt and she has now asked that she get her maiden name back after the divorce.

Men can change their name on the marriage license too. Some couples hyphenate their surnames together, in which case the man must be prepared to rearrange his records, too. On occasion, the couple chooses an entirely new last name to both of them. Sometimes, the man will take his beloved's surname. Most often, however, women take their husbands' surnames, so we'll work under that assumption.

Women should take precautions against losing their credit rating because of a new name. This can be done by notifying credit bureaus of the name change and requesting that credit built during years of being single is included under the new name.

I found this info at the NY Office of Vital Records website:

Every person has the right to adopt any name by which he or she wishes to be known simply by using that name consistently and without intent to defraud. A person's last name (surname) does not automatically change upon marriage, and neither party to the marriage is required to change his or her last name. The bride and groom need not take the same last name.

One or both parties to a marriage may elect to change the surname by which he or she wishes to be known after the marriage by entering the new name in the appropriate space provided on the marriage license. The new name must consist of one of the following options:

* the surname of the other spouse;
* any former surname of either spouse;
* a name combining into a single surname all or a segment of the premarriage surname or any former surname of each spouse;
* a combination name separated by a hyphen, provided that each part of such combination surname is the premarriage surname, or any former surname, of each of the spouses.

The use of this option will provide a record of your change of name. The marriage certificate, containing the new name, if any, is proof that the use of the new name, or the retention of the former name, is lawful. The local Social Security Administration office should be contacted so that its records and your social security identification card reflect the name change. There is no charge for this service.

Whether you decide to use or not use this option at the time of your marriage license application, you still have the right to adopt a different name through usage at some future date. However, your marriage license cannot be changed to record a surname you decide to use after your marriage.

If you plan to use your married name at work, be sure to have your name changed in Social Security records. This way, you will get credit for all your earnings. It's easy and it's absolutely free. Contact any Social Security office. Look in the telephone book for the address and phone number. You will need documentary evidence showing both your old name and your new name.

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Posted by jenniesunshine
If you plan to use your married name at work, be sure to have your name changed in Social Security records. This way, you will get credit for all your earnings. It's easy and it's absolutely free. Contact any Social Security office. Look in the telephone book for the address and phone number. You will need documentary evidence showing both your old name and your new name.

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And, depending on your profession, you may need to update licenses & other records in order to use your married name. For attorneys, you need to make a motion to the courts in which you were admitted to now practice under your married name. It's probably the same for other professions where you need a license.