(Closed) Cannot decide on married name–getting marriage license TOMORROW

• pinkcorsage
• 4 years ago

• onemoredinsmore
• 4 years ago

• Wedding: June 2017

As for the last names, I’m also keeping my maiden name as a second middle name, and my fiance will adopt my maiden name as a second middle name. It’s what my parents did, and I like it. I feel like it honors my heritage and allows us to truly combine families, instead of me just joining his, as well as allowing me to only have one last name and share that last name with my husband, which is important to me. With my parents, it’s been perfectly fine for them. The only thing is that it just means you’ll have one more middle name to write out when signing legal documents that require your full name. Fortunately many things only require your middle initials though. My parents believe that it was a choice that was worth it, and I think it will too. I’d say to keep your maiden name as a middle name! 

• slomotion
• 4 years ago

• Wedding: City, State

In anycase, you don’t even seem to like your last name so just drop it.

• FutureMrsBex
• 4 years ago

• Wedding: November 2014

As others have said, your maiden name goes on the marriage license. You technically can’t sign with the new name until you’ve gone through Social Security and changed it there legally. You have time to make a decision. 

• CakeSniffer
• 4 years ago

• Wedding: May 2016

Edited because I was wrong and gave inaccurate information. Sorry!

• MissStoGee
• 4 years ago

I have two middle names and I’m not married… was just named that way.

• SydneyRose
• 4 years ago

• Wedding: June 2016

I’m in California and I have the same understanding. You decide on your name change options when you get the License. This varies from state to state  

“When applying for a Californian marriage license you must state your preferred <strong style=”color: #333333; font-family: Lato, Helvetica, sans-serif, serif; font-size: 16px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;”>married name on the license at the time of filing. If you had not indicated a change of name on your marriage license, you may still be able to change names, but may experience some difficulties…. The Californian Name Change Equality Act provides a range of name change options to both spouses on marriage. To avoid issues with an unusual married name change being accepted by organizations, your preferred married name must be included on your marriage license when applying. This name is printed on your marriage certificate, which you can order once married. Your certificate should be shown wherever proof of your new name is required. Once you have successfully applied for your marriage license it is not possible to request any changes without a court-ordered name change.” https://www.easynamechange.com/California/Marriage-Name-Change/

Back to OP original question: most women I know went with two middle names. I haven’t really heard any of them complain of a downside. 

• MrsWiggles
• 4 years ago

• Wedding: April 2018

Have two middle names. It seems like yout last name does mean something to you. It’s not that weird. 

• hopefulfuturemrs
• 4 years ago

• Wedding: June 2018

I vote for 2 middle names! 

• prettyshinythings
• 4 years ago

I was in the same type of situation as you last week. When we got to the office to get the license and realized I could change my name that way I just went with my gut!

I also work in education and am known professionally as my maiden name. However I really wanted to take my fiancés last name. So I decided on first name middle name maiden name (as second middle) new last name. The More I write it and see it on paper the More I love it 🙂 

• teacher-bee-in-the-sea
• 4 years ago

• Wedding: May 2017

Two middle names. 

• maralipac
• 4 years ago

• Wedding: June 2017

I’m having the exact same thought process. I’m a teacher and have been Ms. P for years and am unwilling to let go of my very unusual last name. In fact, about 5 cousins of mine have opted to keep their maiden name because our last name is so rare and we are all girls.

I’ve also dreamed since I started dating my fiance of taking his last name… and equally unwilling to drop my middle name. So I will go from being MAP to MAPG. Four names total. Two middle names.

• Sephiroth
• 4 years ago

NY is the same way California is – I had to decide what would happen to my name when we went to pick up the Marriage License, a month before we actually got married.

I didn’t actually change IDs and whatnot until later, but I had to decide early too.