Surname/License Help

Can anyone help me have some clarification on filling out the marriage and your last name?
For professional reasons, I do not want to change my last name. If I have to hyphonate it I will. Socially, I have no problem using it.

Heres my question...
on the marriage certificate do I put his name? Do i keep my name ? or do I hyphonate?
Is it true that I can put his name on the marriage certificate and then never change any of my legal documents and still use my last name?
Im so confused- help@!

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Posted by MsAmanda

I'm also confused about this. I am also keeping my surname due to professional reasons. When we went to apply for the license I didn't put his name down because there was a line for your name and then underneath it says surname to be changed to and I left that line blank. We are actually discussing for him to change his surname instead so that we will all have the same last name as I also have a daughter that has my surname. I did find in NY state the men can also change their surname during marriage. I don't mind using his name socially as well but I feel this might cause more confusion.

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WHo can i call to find out about this?

It is much easier to change your last name on your marriage license than it is to try to change it later.

I hyphenated mine on my marriage license, but I haven't changed it elsewhere and doubt that I will. We actually asked about this at the licensing bureau and we were told that it was better to hyphenate now (when we were applying) so that the process was already set in motion. So, our marriage license says : Smith-Doe, but I am still just Smith and will likely keep it that way.

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Posted by NYtherapist

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Posted by sjr385

Starting with the caveat that I'm not a lawyer...

The answer will depend slightly on your profession and on whether your legal name must match your professional name and the name on your certifications. Some fields require that you practice in your legal name. Usually payroll is required to be in your legal name so that it matches your tax and social security info.

The easiest way to handle things is to keep your maiden name legally (and professionally). You're definitely still allowed to be 'Mrs. His Last Name' socially. Most states say something along the lines of 'Anyone can choose to go by any name as long as its used consistently and without intent to defraud.' Which often covers you if you DO change your name legally but want to still use your maiden name professionally (minus payroll)... you can use whatever name you want so long as you're not trying to be a con artist.

I hope that makes sense. Try talking to your HR department, legal department, or your professional licensing board. Also check out these links: link and link

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The thing is, from what we were told and from what I've read, the name change is not official until you go beyond just the marriage license (i.e., social security). The only place where my hyphenated last name appears is on the marriage license. This is actually very common. I have colleagues who have been married 20+ years and never did the name change beyond the marriage license.

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So if I put mrs his last name on my marriage license I can still legally keep my current last name? Or do I have to hyphonate it on license ?

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Posted by NYtherapist

There is no reason why I would use my marriage license for identification. I have a passport, driver license, etc. I chose to put the hyphenated last name on the marriage license so that I could leave myself with the option if we have children (I may want to use my husband's last name in some way at that time). Everyone with whom we spoke told us that the name change is easier if it's on the marriage license than it is to do it later.

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This was the exact info I needed. Thank u