Marriage Certificate in Florida - Maiden name?

[CharlotteLister 0]

Hi Guys

My fiance and I got married on 8th June and just yesterday received our marriage certificate.

I was a little confused when we received it as it doesn't typically look like a 'certificate' of marriage as it lists the applicants names, marriage licence and certificate signatures all on one piece of paper, with the seal stamped at the bottom.

After noticing that this is normal, especially in the county of Broward, Fl, i was put at ease.

However, at the top of the page, below where it says 'application to marry', 'spouse 1' is listed in my maiden name, not my married name.

When we filled out the marriage licence a few days prior to the marriage, the lady said 'make sure all the details are correct or you will need to get a court order to change them after this date' and we said yes, as we were certain the application for the licence would be filled out in my maiden name, and the lady didn't say otherwise.

After panicking for a while, i googled the situation and it says that depending on the state, (California for example) it can be standard practice to have the maiden name on there instead of the married name.

Has anyone else got married in the state of Florida and experienced the same situation?

i have read that if it not meant to be on there, it can mean petitioning and getting a court order and going before a judge! All things that cost money and take time.

We are really wanting file for AOS next month, and i feel that me not taking his name is a bit of a red flag.

If anyone could just shed some light on this if they know anything about marriage licences/certificates in state of Florida.

Thanks, Charlotte

[Pitaya 2,577]

~Moved from Fam.-based AOS to Moving to the US and Your New Life in America Forum~

~Similar topics are often discussed at this forum~

[Ischnura 285]

We were married in Idaho and our marriage certificate has my maiden name on. So long as your husbands last name is on there, obviously that's what you plan to use, then you're golden. When you fill out AOS use your married name and be sure to list your maiden name where it asks for other names used. Everything will match up and you'll be fine.

[CharlotteLister 0]

That's great news! Thank you so much for responding. So I just take the certificate to the SSN to change my name? Then to the bank etc

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

That's great news! Thank you so much for responding. So I just take the certificate to the SSN to change my name? Then to the bank etc

Mine from Texas sounds just like yours...license converted to certificate, maiden name.

Don't count on the Social Security office changing your name until immigration/USCIS lists you with the married name in the SAVE database. Some manage to get it done, but it would not mean something is wrong if they tell you no. Once you have EAD or AOS, your name will be changed in the immigration records.

Everything a K1 tries to do before at least EAD can get awkward.

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

Marriage certificates in FL are simply a copy of the license with the court registration info at the top and stamp and signature at the bottom. They will not list what name you intend to use after you are married. What you have is normal and will work as your legal name change document to change your through marriage in FL.

[cedric1738 0]

hello, in which city do you life . we can help each other. we are on the same situation. I'm living in Melbourne Florida

[ryna 132]

You'll be fine as long as you never come across an Immigration Officer who doesn't understand Florida name change law via marriage and that a Florida marriage certificate only lists maiden name.

[CharlotteLister 0]

Cedric I like in Hollywood, Florida. The county is broward. It seems that this is a normal thing so if you are worried, I wouldn't be!

[blk 87]

You'll be fine as long as you never come across an Immigration Officer who doesn't understand Florida name change law via marriage and that a Florida marriage certificate only lists maiden name.

All marriage certificates list the woman's maiden no matter where you get married, as at the time of the wedding it is the only legal name that a woman has.

Brian

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

All marriage certificates list the woman's maiden no matter where you get married, as at the time of the wedding it is the only legal name that a woman has.

Brian

Unless she had been previously married or legally changed her name, and she would not be using her maiden name any longer.

[JFH 12,189]

Washington state is the same. It's the marriage licence that has been stamped. That's all the marriage certificate is. And it's in the woman's maiden name because that is her name at the time the marriage licence is obtained. They can't put it in the married name for various reasons. What if you obtain the marriage licence and then don't get married after all? Also, it's not a requirement to change your name when you get married, just a tradition. It's a woman's right to decide for herself whether she wants to change her name or not. With my first marriage I only decided a few months after the marriage that I wanted to change my name.

[NikLR 13,227]

You applied in your maiden name to become married. My marriage certificate also has my maiden name. That's who I was when I got married. Because no HAS to change their name either.

[ryna 132]

All marriage certificates list the woman's maiden no matter where you get married, as at the time of the wedding it is the only legal name that a woman has.

Brian

Of course the maiden name will be on there (except in the cases mentioned by KayDeeCee). But some IOs insist that unless it shows the married name also (which a lot states do NOT), that it can't be used to demonstrate a name change once married. I guess some states add the married name (if a name change is desired) to the marriage certificate when the license is filed with the court after solemnization. Florida does not.

Edited June 29, 2016 by ryna