New middle name after marriage

[sweet cakes 326]

Will be going to SSA soon to apply for a name change. I asked my husband and his family about the traditions here in USA about my new middle name, and apparently, the middle names of married American women don't change because it only acts as their "second name", unlike in PI where the new middle name automatically changes to the maiden last name after marriage.

Say my original name is AA BB CC, with BB being my maiden middle name and CC my last name. After marriage, which of the following should I use:

AA BB DD (DD, being my husband's last name) or

AA CC DD (as traditionally done in PI) ?

I'm also in the process of filling-up SS-5, what middle name should I use now on the SS-5 (first line)? http://www.***removed***/forms/ss5.pdf

Thanks in advance for the help, guys!

[DARUMA07 25]

My wife used her maiden last name As her new middle name!

[Darnell 8,478]

i say go whole hawg with

AAA BBB CCC-DDD .

Get Hyphenated !!! It's FUN !

[Greenbaum 12,259]

First name - maiden name - husbands last name. Stick with the Philippines naming conventions as it will be easier to change your documents in the PI and less headaches going forward.

[sweet cakes 326]

i say go whole hawg with

AAA BBB CCC-DDD .

Get Hyphenated !!! It's FUN !

I want that too, Darnell! Thing is, the husband suggested to just use his last name and not use the hyphenated version, just to avoid potential complication, or so he says.

[Darnell 8,478]

he's just a stupid man. it's your paperwork, so you put what you want.

[sweet cakes 326]

My wife used her maiden last name As her new middle name!

First name - maiden name - husbands last name. Stick with the Philippines naming conventions as it will be easier to change your documents in the PI and less headaches going forward.

Thanks, Daruma07 and Greenbaum! I am more inclined too in doing so, but I'm just concerned, if this is something that can invite more questions in the future, as this is not a convention here in US?

[christeen 966]

It's your name, use what you like...

[Darnell 8,478]

getting hyphenated

is a normal practice in the USA

for women of power and influence

you should chase the hyphen, so says me.

[christeen 966]

I personally think that continuing to hold your maiden name is an important part of our heritage and our family name... It is difficult for a man to imagine being expected to just "poof" one day giving up who we are to assume the name of another... That is why hyphenation is a good compromise... That way, you honor your family name as well as what in many cultures, an expected adoption of your husbands name. I personally kept my last name but it is not necessarily expected for women to abandon their maiden name and as an artist, my name is my business... Bottom line... I also vote for hyphenate

[Greenbaum 12,259]

Thanks, Daruma07 and Greenbaum! I am more inclined too in doing so, but I'm just concerned, if this is something that can invite more questions in the future, as this is not a convention here in US?

Any convention is acceptable in the USA, it's the PI you will deal with changing all your documents. Just trying to save you some headaches. BTW your husband is not stupid. I think it's good that each of you have an opinion.

[sweet cakes 326]

Thanks Christeen & Darnell! Yeah .. Let's just say we're still in the process of deciding if I will indeed use hyphen or not.

Any convention is acceptable in the USA, it's the PI you will deal with changing all your documents. Just trying to save you some headaches. BTW your husband is not stupid. I think it's good that each of you have an opinion.

That's what I'm worried too, considering the strict conventions. I just hate the thought of saying "I should've" in the future, specially when I have to deal with PI government agencies in the future like renewing my Phil. passport. His thought of not using a hyphen is indeed the practical & easier way, I must say. but I just also want to make sure if I use my maiden last name as my new middle name in my AOS forms, will that pose any concern?

[DARUMA07 25]

It never posed any problems on my wife's AOS forms or anything throughout to her citizenship!

Edited February 3, 2014 by DARUMA07

[nightingalejules 678]

Due to the odd name change rules in BC, Canada, my new name is In the form of (first) (middle) (maiden) (last) - 2 last names, no hyphen. Moving my maiden name to a middle name or hyphenating would have required a legal name change, which costs a couple hundred dollars and changes the name on my birth certificate! Craziest thing I ever heard of! Oh well, for everything other than official government ID it'll just look like I moved maiden to middle (which is what I wanted)

Anyway, I say either do the traditional thing, or keep all the names. It's funny, I always assumed I'd just take my husband's name... But when it came right down to it, I just didn't want to give mine up completely. I knew it wasn't completely rational, but it was important to me, and hubby was totally supportive. (He was just really glad I wanted to take his name)

[Hank_ 9,174]

Will be going to SSA soon to apply for a name change. I asked my husband and his family about the traditions here in USA about my new middle name, and apparently, the middle names of married American women don't change because it only acts as their "second name", unlike in PI where the new middle name automatically changes to the maiden last name after marriage.

Say my original name is AA BB CC, with BB being my maiden middle name and CC my last name. After marriage, which of the following should I use:

AA BB DD (DD, being my husband's last name) or

AA CC DD (as traditionally done in PI) ?

I'm also in the process of filling-up SS-5, what middle name should I use now on the SS-5 (first line)? http://www.***removed***/forms/ss5.pdf

Thanks in advance for the help, guys!

My wife followed tradition and moved her last name to her middle name after marriage.

FYI If you plan to renew your passport in your married name the Philippines will only accept the traditional way.