Changing last names with marriage

[Aubrey 10]

My fiancé and I are talking about this. I didn't change my name with my ex-husband, but considering it this time, though probably in a non-traditional way if I do. I'm curious how traditional folks here on VJ are regarding last name changes at marriage... discuss!

Edited April 19, 2009 by Aubrey

[trinket 30]

Neither of us are changing our names

Not really a big deal either way

Not applicable, I did not change my name.

I don't like the whole name change thing, so I never changed my last name. We did talk about it and I did say I don't like the whole idea and he respected that. I guess I get this from my mom, she never took my dad's last name either officially

As for whenever we will have kids, they will carry on his last name.

[웃 910]

My wife's previous name was 4 names (first name, middle name, and 2 last names). We dropped her 2 last names, she took mine, and now she only has 3 names. She likes Hello Kitty a lot and changed her middle name to Kitty.

Just kidding, but she joked about doing that.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

For K-1, you will probably be stuck with what the DHS-USCIS decides the name(s) will be. Once the non-USC becomes USC, you can do anything you want, as long as you are not attempting to mislead anyone.

[amberdima 6]

i'm the usc taking my fiance's name without hyphenation.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

She took my last name

Vital! lol j/k.

No (she doesn't)

[LaL 418]

For K-1, you will probably be stuck with what the DHS-USCIS decides the name(s) will be. Once the non-USC becomes USC, you can do anything you want, as long as you are not attempting to mislead anyone.

People change their names all the time through this process with no difficulty.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

For K-1, you will probably be stuck with what the DHS-USCIS decides the name(s) will be. Once the non-USC becomes USC, you can do anything you want, as long as you are not attempting to mislead anyone.

People change their names all the time through this process with no difficulty.

Perhaps we just got an unusual AO, but he did make a point of making sure the name was what the DHS wanted it to be, not us. Luckily, there was no conflict.

[Dr. Obvious 49]

We didn't change names.

[PB&JAM 1]

I'm definitely taking his last name, no hyphen. I strongly believe in two become one flesh and giving up part of myself. To me its a testimony that I am serious, I love this man and I am joined with him for as long as we live.

[wowswift 3]

i debated it for a while, but now have started to change my last name finally.

[jundp 191]

I took P's name, but professionally I still use my maiden name. When I was divorced I took my maiden name back so it was changed at work. Since I teach high school I didn't want 3 different names in 4 years....too confusing. But my license, passport, bank accounts, etc. are all in his last name. It wasn't vital, but I like that we share that.

[Aubrey 10]

My wife's previous name was 4 names (first name, middle name, and 2 last names). We dropped her 2 last names, she took mine, and now she only has 3 names. She likes Hello Kitty a lot and changed her middle name to Kitty.

Just kidding, but she joked about doing that.

I'm definitely taking his last name, no hyphen. I strongly believe in two become one flesh and giving up part of myself. To me its a testimony that I am serious, I love this man and I am joined with him for as long as we live.

Really? I don't see marriage as giving up part of oneself but adding to it. If I had to give up being part of who I am, then I'd know I was with the wrong person.

I took P's name, but professionally I still use my maiden name. When I was divorced I took my maiden name back so it was changed at work. Since I teach high school I didn't want 3 different names in 4 years....too confusing. But my license, passport, bank accounts, etc. are all in his last name. It wasn't vital, but I like that we share that.

Yeah, if I change my name, at the minimum I'd need to maintain my current name professionally for awhile. I've got a whole bizcard/letterhead/website/etc design around my initials... so it's too complicated/expensive to switch professionally right now during a job hunt.

Andy's got no middle name currently, so that opens up possibilities (and I'd never give up mine, since it's a reference to my favorite grandmother). His last name (German) is goofy on its own with my first name (French), so if I switch it's definitely going to be hyphenated. His name goes so well with my last name (German derivative and all) ... haha, oh decisions decisions.

[Robina 0]

He doesn't care if I take his last name or not. In Pakistan it is not common to change the name at marriage. I do plan on taking his name. Our names sound pretty similar, so I don't like the sound of them hyphenated. If we have children we will use my last name for the child's first or middle name though.

[bora bora 1]

I changed my last name when I got married (I'm female USC). I really liked the idea and felt no need to keep my maiden name. My husband liked and supported the idea.

However, I don't think it's vital and don't see it necessary to change your last name. I guess for me it was more out of tradition and because I like the idea of married couples with one last name, and then the children (which we hope to have in the future).

As for professionally, it wasn't much of a hassle. I had to change my work e-mail but my employer took care of that. I'm a teacher and got married at the end of the school year so I introduced my last name to my co-workers/students and people used my maiden and my married name for the rest of the school year. Beginning last school year I'm now known only as Mrs. S. Only former students call me Ms. D.