What choice should I go with?
Changing your name is really a personal preference. It depends on what’s important to you. Most of our customers change their name within the first two years of marriage – a decision triggered by starting a family or finally getting around to tackling the paperwork. Here are five examples of the most common marriage name change choices:
No change – Jane Smith – nothing needs to be done – just carry on as usual. you can decide to change your name at a later date if you wish – there is no deadline, all you need is your marriage certificate.
Take partner’s name – Jane Alexander (drop Smith). In this case you need to change your name with all organization’s you belong with. For financial, insurance, and government organizations you will need to provide a proof of your marriage (original or copy) and government issued photo identification (i.e. driver’s license).
Hyphenate – Jane Smith-Alexander. In this case you need to change your name with all organization’s you belong with. For financial, insurance, and government organizations you will need to provide a proof of your marriage (original or copy) and government issued photo identification (i.e. driver’s license).
Add partner’s name, no hyphen – Jane Smith Alexander. In this case you need to change your name with all organization’s you belong with. For financial, insurance, and government organizations you will need to provide a proof of your marriage (original or copy) and government issued photo identification (i.e. driver’s license).
Make maiden name, middle name – This one can be tricky. Each state/province has different rules – so you really need to double check before you submit any paperwork with this in mind. If your region allows this, you need to change your name with all organization’s you belong with. For financial, insurance, and government organizations you will need to provide a proof of your marriage (original or copy) and government issued photo identification (i.e. driver’s license). The states that currently don’t allow this are California, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Washington, or Ohio (unless your marriage certificate reflects this change). More states are switching to this rule – so make sure to double check – we’ll also update as we hear news.
Create a new name – Jane Smalexander. In this case you need to go to a lawyer and complete a legal name change as a couple. Once the legal documents are finalized you need to change your name with all organizations you belong to. You’ll need your legal name change documents and your marriage certificate, in addition to government issued photo identification.
