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Just Said Yes October 2018

Changing Name Legalities

Nicole, on February 15, 2018 at 10:12 PM Posted in Etiquette and Advice 0 14

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Hi! I need some advice and the legalities of name change.
We are getting married in October this year, however, due to starting school this summer and looking over financials, we are going to be getting eloped secretly (only immediate family will be aware). I will be changing my name, of course. This will be in March-April.
When is it necessary to notify your employer of a name change? I do not need to add him on insurance or anything like that, and my medical insurance is seperate from employer anyway. I am close with my coworkers and they will be attending the wedding, but we do not want them or anyone to be aware of the pre-marriage. We ourselves, do not want to recognize ourselves, in a sentimental way, as married until our actual wedding (it is an important, meaningful date we chose).

his elopement is only for tax purposes to allow me to pull loans as necessary rather than have my parents income considered. Sorry if this was a little much.

Just want to make sure it is okay to take a ‘few months’ to notify my name change.

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14 Comments

Latest activity by FirstTimeMOB, on February 16, 2018 at 12:34 PM

Expert December 2018
Debbie · on February 15, 2018 at 10:20 PM
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I had one coworker who was not even going to tell our employer of her name change, but then when it came time to update her tax information she had to. I don't think you need to tell them straight away, unless you update your tax or insurance information.
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VIP October 2018
Victoria · on February 15, 2018 at 10:29 PM
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I have a teacher friend that got married in the fall and waited until summer to change her name so her students (little ones) didn't get confused. And I know when we get married we have a few months to turn in the paperwork for our license. I'd think you're safe to wait to change it.
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Just Said Yes October 2018
Nicole · on February 15, 2018 at 10:37 PM
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For tax information, like W2’s? Ill definately let them know of my name change by October! I knew going into the next year would be a definite problem, but you dont think it would be if I just wait until October?
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Super February 2018
Married and Loving It! · on February 15, 2018 at 10:49 PM
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You are not required to change your last name and you can do so later. A girlfriend of mine got married and took her a year to finally change her last name.
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Expert December 2018
Debbie · on February 15, 2018 at 11:07 PM
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It shouldnt be an issue to wait until October. I know of other employees who have waited for several mobths before they changed their names. I dont know of their circumstances though so I can't give more information. It really will only have an impact on legal documentation like the W2 forms. But even then, if you have your current name on those you would just need to have your marriage license with you when you file your tax information or any other legal form (like passports etc) to show why the names are different. As long as you have the documentation to explain why your name is different on these forms you shouldn't run into an issue. I know one girl who waited a few years before updating her name at work, but since I don't know any more details than that I cant explain why she waited. But it clearly wasnt an issue for her.
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Champion October 2009
2d Bride · on February 16, 2018 at 1:18 AM
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You aren't required to change your name at all, so you can certainly wait a few months. The only thing to make sure of is that you do it in time so your W-2 matches the name you'll be using on your tax return.
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Champion December 2017
earias · on February 16, 2018 at 1:44 AM
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This actually isn't a big deal as long as the name on the tax return matches the name with social security administration. The IRS confirms identity through our social security number so the W2 can still have the maiden name on it and you'd still be able to file return with new married name so long as name has been changed with social security administration.
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Dedicated January 2025
Mrs.ChanandlerBong · on February 16, 2018 at 7:22 AM
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Sure go get married and lie to everyone attending your vow renewal. Or you can just claim yourself as financially independent and not have your parents income taken into consideration. There are other options if you just research rather than try to deceive people.
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Master June 2016
Sarah · on February 16, 2018 at 7:29 AM
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You know that plenty of us got loans for school without our parents income being considered before we got married right? It’s called claiming yourself as an independent for tax purposes. I started doing it at 18. My parents income had no bearing on my student loans or financial aid.
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Master June 2016
Sarah · on February 16, 2018 at 7:31 AM
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Also, if it’s really that big of a deal to you that people not find out, why not just wait until October to change your name?
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VIP July 2018
The Nuptials · on February 16, 2018 at 8:54 AM
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People will likely find out and they will notice that your ceremony is different since that officiant can’t legally wed you.

File Le as an independent like any other student would do.
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Super October 2018
MaltedMilk · on February 16, 2018 at 8:57 AM
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This 100%. I, too, do not understand why anyone thinks the words "wedding" "marriage" "secret" and "lying" ever go together. First off per your w-2's: You will change tax lanes so to speak as you can check the married box rather than single. I would counsel you to have your courthouse wedding in April, tell people you are married and not lie to anyone about anything. Have your vow renewal ceremony in October, inform people you are already married. No one will care, they will support you no matter what. They WON'T support being lied too.
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VIP December 2018
Casey · on February 16, 2018 at 12:27 PM
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You don't have to immediately change your name when you get married. My friend actually just officially changed her name (she's been married for three years) just because she's a procrastinator and never got around to it. You can wait.
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October 2018
FirstTimeMOB · on February 16, 2018 at 12:34 PM
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If your reference to 'loans' is student loans through the federal government (Stafford Loans) your parents' income isn't really the driver there...it's total cost of attendance at the school you are attending.

You're thinking of the FAFSA on which parental income is reported for financial aid purposes. It's more of a concern for grants and aid that is not paid back. Loans are really not that difficult to get at all...trust me, I know because of my own kids. Under our family income we didn't qualify for a dime of free aid but my kids were able to max out on Stafford loans without issue.

Being married will not help you in the private sector for loans. It's all about income there, and if your income isn't high enough you will need to find someone to co-sign.
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