Is It Okay Not To Change Surname After Marriage?

Laura T. Coffey, TODAY Parenting Team editor, shares her experience of not changing her name after marriage, which she believes is an expression of commitment to her new life as a wife. However, she acknowledges that the paperwork involved may be daunting and that changing your surname legally isn’t as simple as signing a marriage license.

In most cases, keeping your maiden name after marriage does not affect your legal rights. Your marriage will still be considered valid. However, taking your partner’s surname after the wedding may be an expression of your commitment to your new life as a wife.

The Philippine Passport Act does not prohibit married women from continuously using their maiden names in their passports. Once a married woman has opted to adopt her husband’s surname in her passport, she may not revert to her maiden name, except in certain circumstances such as death of husband, divorce, annulment, or death.

It is not mandatory for women to change their name and use their husband’s surname after marriage. It is also important to maintain consistency in your decision. In the Philippines, it is not mandatory to update your PAG-IBIG ID, which is valid for life.

There are five reasons why you should or shouldn’t change your surname after marriage:

1. Traditionalists: Brides often fall in love with the romantic, old-fashioned aspect of a wedding, including the name change. In India, women are supposed to take their husband’s surname to become a legitimate part of the family.

A merged last name is a new last name created by combining your last name and your spouse’s last name. Most states require a court order to merge two last names.

Whether a woman keeps her name or uses her partners after marriage is a matter of personal choice, and there are no legal issues with it.

What are the disadvantages of not changing your name after marriage in the UK?

Family confusion. Not changing your name after marriage in the UK can cause confusion. This decision often goes against social norms, which can result in misunderstandings and miscommunications within the family. Each family member may have different views on this, so think about how it will affect your family life and relationships.

Children’s Surname Problem. One of the biggest problems for couples who don’t change their name after marriage is deciding what to call their children. If children have a different surname than their mother, it can cause confusion and misunderstanding, especially when it comes to school, medical care, and travel. Parents must decide whether to give their children their father’s or mother’s last name, or a combination of the two. They must consider the practical and emotional implications of each option.

Why don’t wife take husband’s name?

It’s believed in Rajasthan and northern India. Another reason could be: In ancient India, wives were often younger than their husbands. This was seen as respectful and courteous.

Is there a deadline to change name after marriage in the UK?

How long do you have to change your name after marriage? After reading our guide, you might feel overwhelmed. Changing your name after marriage can be a hassle, but there is no time limit. You don’t have to change your name right away. You can wait as long as you want before changing it. You can start using your married name on social media before you change it legally. You can wait months or years! The only rule is that you must tell the authorities (HMRC, DVLA, local authority, employer, etc.) as soon as you decide to change your name. Then, tell everyone else as soon as you can to avoid confusion. You can think it over before making the switch.

Why should a woman change her last name after marriage?

Women change their surnames after marriage for many personal reasons. Some women want to validate their relationship and share the same last name as their future children.

Is it possible to not change surname after marriage?

Some women keep their maiden name after marriage. The woman needs a marriage certificate to prove she is married. But remember, you can’t carry your marriage certificate with you everywhere like you can with your PAN or Aadhaar. Many Indian women change their surnames after marriage. But they must do this or face problems later. All legal and investment documents must be changed to avoid problems. If you only change your surname on PAN and Aadhaar, it will cause problems with EPF and bank accounts. To get your money back, you will have to update your name and go through the KYC process again. You may need to provide other documents.

Deepika Bharti, AVP-Investments at FinEdge, says that changing your surname after marriage is a personal decision. There are pros and cons to consider. The advantage is that you can be identified as a family, but the disadvantage is that it takes a lot of work to make sure all your important documents are uniform.

Should I take my husband’s last name or not?

While you’re busy planning your wedding, don’t forget the other things that matter. When you start your married life, you and your spouse may think about changing your surname. You can change or keep your surname. There are no rules or laws to consider. Think about a few things before you decide. One thing to think about when changing your surname is how it affects tracing your family tree. Surnames make it easier to create your family tree! We’ve discussed more practical implications below.

How many people don’t change their name after marriage?

Most women in opposite-sex marriages took their spouse’s last name when they got married. Another 14% kept their last name, and 5% used both their name and their spouse’s name. Most men in opposite-sex marriages kept their last name. Just 5% took their spouse’s last name, and less than 1% hyphenated both names. The numbers of women and men in same-sex marriages in the sample are too small to analyze separately. We also asked people in all types of relationships who have never been married whether they would change their last name if they got married.

Can I change my name a few years after marriage?

You can change your name to your spouse’s at any time. Show your marriage certificate to prove it. Other situations for changing your name after marriage. Sometimes, a couple may want to change their last name entirely. Each spouse must file a name change petition with a local court. If your marriage ends, your name stays the same unless you change it.

What to change when you get married?

After the wedding, there are some legal things to think about. Note on name changes. … Get your marriage certificate. … Update your Social Security card. … Get a new driver’s license or state ID. … Applying for a passport. … Update your bank accounts. … Tell your creditors. … Tell your employer.

Should I take my husband’s last name?

This is no longer the case. Most women still take their husband’s name, but it’s just tradition. Many women don’t take their husbands’ names. Up to 20% of women keep their maiden names when they marry. Many women add their husband’s name to their own, creating a double-barreled name. Some women take their husband’s name but keep their maiden name as a middle name. Today, we’ll discuss how to change your name when you get married. We’ll talk about the pros and cons of keeping your maiden name or changing it. What are my options for changing my name after marriage? Women no longer have to take their husband’s name after marriage. You can do whatever you want. You have many choices about your name. Don’t change your name. Keep your maiden name and change your title to Ms. or Mrs. instead of Miss. Take your husband’s name and get rid of your former surname. Take your husband’s name and keep your maiden name as a middle name. If you were Sue Love Smith, you would be Sue Love Smith. Double-barrel your name with your husband’s. You’d be Sue Love Smith (with or without a hyphen). Mesh your name with your husband’s. You do this together. If your last names are Hudson and Thomas, you could become Mr. and Mrs. Thomson. Choose a new name. You and your husband can choose a new name for your new family.

Is it okay not to use your husband’s surname?

No. A married woman can use her husband’s last name, but she doesn’t have to. Married women can keep their maiden name or:

Use her maiden name and her husband’s last name; or, use her husband’s last name; or, use her husband’s full name with “Mrs.” before it.

I’ve already used my husband’s last name on my ID and other documents. Can I use my maiden name again? While there is no general rule against using your maiden name again, there are some special laws that limit when you can do this, such as Republic Act No. 8239 or the Philippine Passport Act of 1996.

What happens if I get married and don’t change my name?

Can I keep my name after I get married? Before getting married, people wonder if it’s okay to keep your name. When you marry, you can keep your name or take your partner’s. It’s your choice in most countries. It’s a matter of preference. Some people keep their last name because they marry later in life or their career is already established. It could be risky to choose a new name, which could affect their career and finances. Personal branding is powerful. Name recognition is powerful, and many people aren’t ready to give that up. What do you call a married woman who keeps her maiden name? You can keep your maiden name after marriage. You can use “Ms.” or “Mrs.” You can also go by “Ms.” if you don’t want your title to be about your marriage. It’s your choice. Before you decide, learn why people change their names.