Most gals don’t really struggle with changing their names. It’s just one of those things we grow up expecting, so when it’s time to switch to our hubby’s name, we do it with a smile. But things are changing, and more and more women are finding it tough to go through with it. If a woman has a professional identity tied to her name, she’s more likely to stick with it (guilty as charged).
Your legal name is the one on your most important documents like your birth certificate, marriage license, passport, and divorce decree. As a bride-to-be, your marriage certificate will have the biggest impact on your name. So whatever name you pick for that certificate becomes your legal name. In an ideal world, all your official documents should match, but if your passport doesn’t need renewing around the time of your wedding, having your maiden name on it isn’t a big deal. No need to stress, you’re not doing anything weird by keeping your maiden name, but it might cause hassle if you travel abroad (take a copy of your marriage certificate just in case). If you decide to keep using your maiden name professionally or just because you prefer it, remember it is not your legal name. But if you don’t get around to updating your credit cards or driver’s license, it’s all good from a legal standpoint.
If you do decide to change your name, best start with the big stuff like your marriage license, passport, and maybe your home deed if you have one. Then tackle the everyday items like credit cards, Social Security card, driver’s license, and bank statements. Oh, and give the post office a heads-up too!
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