Is it ok not to change my last name?

[Masha2008 0]

Well, I really do not like my fiance's last name and I prefer to keep my last name. Is it ok to keep mine? or do I have to change?

[GlobeHopperMama 95]

In the US, you're allowed to do whatever you want with your last name. It seems that culturally, it's more easily accepted that you change it, but I know plenty of people who don't for a variety of reasons. Also, many cultures never change their last name. I haven't changed mine, and we've been just fine for over a year since the wedding.

[GOLDEN.247 0]

I don't believe that you have to change your name. I have read a few cases in VJ where the spouse waited to come to the US before changing their name. I know that in the US there are plenty of couples that opt not to change their name.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

I kept my own name and did not change it to my husband's. It has not been a problem, and in terms of identification and such, it has actually made things easier:-).

[Krissy! 0]

I plan to keep my own name for "professional" reasons.

However I'd like to adopt my SO's last name for personal (family/friends/home) reason.

Does anyone know if that is possible?

[jundp 191]

I plan to keep my own name for "professional" reasons.

However I'd like to adopt my SO's last name for personal (family/friends/home) reason.

Does anyone know if that is possible?

I will change my name legally and thus change my passport, DL, bank accounts, etc. However, I will continue to use my maiden name at work. This is because I'm a teacher and my divorce was final two years ago, so I recently took my maiden name back. I don't want to confuse my students, some of whom remember my old name

I don't see any reason why you couldn't do that. I have friends who got married after obtaining their PhD's and they legally changed their names, yet professionally use the maiden name.

[I'm Gone 60]

For employment the employer is suposed to record the name off your SSN card for preparing your W-2. SSA doesn't require you to change you name. So as long as you continue to work and file taxes with your maiden name, not changing your name shouldn't be a problem with work or fling taxes.

One other thing is most states verify driver's license (DL) application info against the SSA record, so your DL might need to be in your maiden name as well. Probably going to very from state to state on how much leeway they give you with your name if you are married and haven't changed your SSN record.

Edited May 30, 2008 by I Quit

[motu 6]

You can have multiple names - especially for professional reasons - they are called AKA - "Also Known As" - like in the case of a teacher or an employee who doesn't change her name at all but receives her paycheck under her 'new' last name. Pretty common.

[pushbrk 12,894]

I plan to keep my own name for "professional" reasons.

However I'd like to adopt my SO's last name for personal (family/friends/home) reason.

Does anyone know if that is possible?

My wife kept her own name but doesn't mind a bit if people call her Mrs. Pushbrk.

[Jesse and Hema 2]

Well, I really do not like my fiance's last name and I prefer to keep my last name. Is it ok to keep mine? or do I have to change?

You can do whatever you want. My fiancee (now wife) was considering the hyphenating thing, oldname-newname) but decided against it.

Keep your last name.

[ginger1981 0]

I plan on keeping my name...mainly as I recently got a new drivers license and my passport still has several years left until it expires. Also I'm just starting out in my career and the people I work with know me by my current name. I like my fiance's last name, but I also like mine too. I'm considering hyphanating in a non-formal way though.

[shawna7 4]

I have hyphenated my name..This way me and my daughter still share a name..and its less confusing for the POE when they look at my passport still in my other name anything to keep things simple at the border!

S

[MIDUVIL 34]

I hyphenated my name. I love my maiden name, i love my husband's name also.

I hyphenated the two, it's less beautiful-but it's " arranging" and practical.

I will share a name with my future children, and also for personal things.

Edited June 6, 2008 by MIDUVIL