Marriage = Immediate legal name change?

[bora bora 1]

I'm the USC and am getting married in a week . I was told, at work, that I can begin using my husband-to-be's last name as soon as the marriage license is signed and the ceremony is over. I know thave I have to go to the SS office to change it on all of my documents, but is this true?

I'm still going to write my maiden name on my husband's paperwork for AOS because it asks for my given name - and we're sending out the package 2 days after the wedding.

[Nikita2Charles 32]

YOu can start using your married name, soon after you get your marriage License, The question is, on the marriage certificate if you opted to keep your maiden name, then you have to use that for your AOS. but if on the marriage certificate you take your hubby name, now you should use it for AOS, On the 485 paperwork there's a spot where you can put your maiden name, under previous name used.

[bora bora 1]

Our marriage license does not give me an option on whether or not I want to keep my maiden name. Therefore, I wasn't sure.

I was told that I can use his last name as soon as we're married, but I wanted to verify with someone who has gone through this.

On AOS I'll be using my maiden name since it asks for my given name and by the time we send it out I would not have gone to the SSA office.

[cpinkley 0]

I would use your married name on your AOS and give your maiden name where they ask 'other names used.' once you are married and take your husband's name, that is your name and you will want all documentation from them with your married name especially on your work authorization card. why go through the hassle later to change your name? I filed the whole thing under my married name and didn't even change social security until 2 months after the marriage. Updating your SS has nothing to do with your AOS EXCEPT-SS will need to see proof of your status in the US to give you a new card in your married name (unless your status is current.) what is your status in US right now?

[bora bora 1]

I'm the OP and the USC - that is why my name is not important for AOS.

My question is here - in the U.S. - can I use my husband's last name even before I go to the SSA office?

(please read my posts before answering)

[Krikit 1,165]

can I use my husband's last name even before I go to the SSA office?

yes

[athena_ny 1]

I'm the OP and the USC - that is why my name is not important for AOS.

My question is here - in the U.S. - can I use my husband's last name even before I go to the SSA office?

(please read my posts before answering)

Yes. As far as work and other things are concerned, it might cause you some trouble if the SS card is still showing the old name, BUT I've been married 4 months and (oops) still haven't gotten the SS card changed. (Long story, sent in but got it back because in my overthinking of things, signed my maiden name not my married name.) Not major issues though.

I have almost everything but the SS card changed (my bank accts, drivers license ... some random things still show the old name).

My marriage license (Pinellas County) is confusing - it took the names from our marriage application and says "Bride's name" then "Maiden name (if different)" - when I filed the application, my name was my maiden name, and I hadn't married, so if that was supposed to be my married name they should have been a little clearer. No one has given me problems over it yet, though.

[bora bora 1]

Thanks Krikit - how exciting

[Creel 0]

In California my company was willing to start the process the day after I was married and they added my husband on all my insurance etc with just and photo copy of the license that is submitted to the County. They would not legally change my name until I had a copy of my new SS card which I could not get until the County issued a certified copy of the license, which by the way you need to file for your AOS. For me it took 5 weeks for the license (normally 3, but they made a mistake) and one more for the SS card. All is all we married 2/3 and could not change my name legally until the end of March or send off the AOS until the middle of March.

[Killer_Clown_2009 0]

It's legal to use any name you want, even if it isn't your own as long as it is not for criminal or fraudulent purposes.

[cpinkley 0]

sorry I had misread your post-I did scroll through fast skippng some of the posts and hadn't had coffee yet. you can definitely start using your married name right after marriage-you will need your marriage certificate to make any official changes and it can take 1-2 weeks (depending on state / local offices and how fast minister sends in) and I suggest when you go to the records office that you go ahead and get about 5 copies of your certificate. some places will want an official copy mailed / faxed to them. I changed bank account, credit cards, etc. by just telling them or by sending them stuff. there was 1 of my banks that wanted my new SS card. I changed my license at DMV with just my marriage cert and they did not need my new social (can vary by state though). the only think I really needed my SS updated for was for changing my records at my job and to be added to my husband's insurance and filing taxes jointly. so pretty much I had no probs changing to married name on most stuff before I even changed SS. like another poster, I went 2 months after my wedding to SS-(the offices close so early).

[bora bora 1]

Thanks everyone for your posts!

Since I'm the USC I'm not going to worry about using my married name on any documents I include with my fiance when we mail off our AOS packet. I know I'm allowed to use my maiden name legally for awhile.

We're sending out the AOS packet 2 days after we get married (next Sunday). We'll have the following day, Monday, to get the certified copies of the marriage certificate and then mail one with our packet on that Tuesday (May 1st).

I'm not going to stress out with using my married name at work because in the time that it'll take for them to update my e-mail address (which is my name), the school year will be over. I have to wait to go to the SSA office too - because as someone said they're not open when I'm out of work. I think I'll just wait until the school year is over (I'm a teacher) and then change it on my SS card and then go from there. I don't have much time before then. Only 4 1/2 more week of work!

I know that we can use our maiden name still for awhile.

I want to get a new passport too with that name and I know the government gives you up to a year at no cost. My passport expires in 2/09 so it won't hurt to do it now. I'll be travelling with him at the end of the year (we hope) so it'll be nice to have his name .

I'm excited to be Mrs. S!!