Canadian Changing Name after Marriage

[Naiaa 0]

Hi everyone,

My husband and I were confused at the time we had our court wedding where we received our marriage certificate. Husband insisted we change our name after we receive our certificate because we had not decided on what names to take, and I said that we had to change it at the time we were there. So, we ended up doing things his way. Now both of us want to change our last name to the same last name, but it is not reflected in our marriage certificate (we both have different last names on it). How do I change my name now, given that I don't live in Canada and I obviously cannot travel there to just get my fingerprints done for a legal name change? I cannot change my name on basis of marriage since my marriage certificate has my last name on it, and we are not changing it to his last name either - we picked one together that is in my family. Do I go to a Canadian embassy to change my name? Do I have to go back to Canada?

Hope someone can help with this situation!

[Inky 1,110]

Are you changing it to his last name or a completely different last name than what the both of you have? Its not really clear in your post which it is you want to do..

If you both want a totally different last name then you have to go to court and apply for a name change. Nothing to do with going to Canada or anything like that.

If you just want his last name then you just use your marriage certificate and say you are using his last name, have your IDs changed to his last name via the marriage certificate.

*moved from adjustment from tourist to adjustment from family based as the OP entered on a K-1 not a tourist visa.

Edited February 25, 2013 by Inky

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

You need a court order to change your name to something entirely different.

[CC90 90]

Depending on the state, you can change your name with the marriage certificate you already have. Very few require that you actually tell them what you want to do in advance. It's normal to have your original names on the certificate. If you want to change your name, you use the marriage certificate to inform the appropriate parties.

[Inky 1,110]

Depending on the state, you can change your name with the marriage certificate you already have. Very few require that you actually tell them what you want to do in advance. It's normal to have your original names on the certificate. If you want to change your name, you use the marriage certificate to inform the appropriate parties.

I believe the OP is stating they both want to change their last name to something completely different from what they have. Which means they need to go to court.