Where to change name?

[QueenOfBlades 224]

I'm getting married in less than a month now and we're slightly confused about when/how I will change my name. I'm the beneficiary and will be the wife. My fiance e-mailed the local county court asking if we put my maiden name or my soon-to-be married name on the marriage license application. They replied back saying my maiden name, and that I will put my maiden name on our marriage certificate too. Is this right? I'd always assumed I put my married name on my marriage certificate and that's used to prove my new name.

Also, do we get the marriage certificate on the wedding day or do we have to pick it up from somewhere? :S

[Enigma23 68]

The Best place for that answer is the Clerk of Courts for your specific current County of Residence. If you are able to ask the person who marries you to let you file it yourself you can usually get certified copies at the same time to submit with your AOS.

If you marry at the Courthouse instead you can also do it the same day. That is what we are considering doing... **Quietly*** marrying at the courthouse and filing everything for AOS ASAP and have one less thing to worry about while take our time in preparing for our wedding and reception.

[Vitaliy_and_Katya 3]

When you apply for a marriage license you put your maiden name as current and a new desired surname on the application form. After getting married, you receive marriage certificate (at the same day if marriage took place in the city clerk's office) with a new surname. After that you need to go to Social Security office to change the ss card to your new surname.

You can use your new surname anywhere from the day of your wedding. Just be sure to keep a certified copy of marriage certificate with you

[agnesb 47]

Depending on the state. For example in florida when filling licence there is only room for maiden name and then after marriage that licence becomes certificate thus only your maiden name is on the certificate. This does not stop marriage certificate to be official and legal proof of change of name. When you fill aos and want to take your husband name just fill forms in new name, go to the bank with your certificate and theyll change your name there, same with Ssn (if you applied in maiden name).

[QueenOfBlades 224]

We applied for the marriage license today. I asked the Probate Judge about it and she seemed a bit confused, she said "once I fill out the marriage certificate, take it to the SS office and the driver place to change it there". So I guess I just fill both out in maiden name and the certificate itself will be enough to change my stuff to my married name. :S

[agnesb 47]

Marriage certificate is a legal name change document in us regardless if it only has your maiden name or both maiden and married. For SSN, you probably wont be able to change your name until you get your EAD/AP card though, so that you'll have a legal immigration status in your new name they can go by. Not sure about DMV.

[NikLR 13,227]

The reason your marriage certificate has your maiden name on it is because that is WHO you were when you signed the form. If you wish to change your name you simply use that a proof you were married. For instance you take the marriage certificate to the SSA office and get them to change to your married name. You take the certificate to the DMV and request a name change. (likely you do not have a driver's license yet though as a beneficiary normally needs at least an EAD to get one.) You change your name with whatever forms you need to change your passport name if that's what you want to do. Your maiden name never changes so your birth certificate will not change.

In the USA a married woman can change her name back to her maiden name at any time (and back her married name as well if you're still married.)

[H&I 6]

You have it changed through the Social Security Office and at the DMV as NLR says... it's not that difficult. Congratulations on your marriage!!