Post content has been hidden

To unblock this content, please click here

Just Said Yes March 2021

How long after the wedding until i have to update my name with social security?

Erin, on March 8, 2021 at 12:22 PM Posted in Married Life 0 6

Saved

Flag
Hide content

I’m planning to get married civilly in 3 weeks but formally and publicly in about a year (after the pandemic). I’m going to add his last name as my second last name (sans hyphen) on the wedding application & certificate but I’d like to hold off on using/making my new last name public until we’re formally married next year. Is there a time limit where I need to update my name after the civil ceremony or can I keep using my maiden name for the next year until the formal wedding?

Also, when you keep your last name but add his as a second last name, do you need to always dig things/call yourself by both last names or can you use one or the other them interchangeably depending on the situation? (I’m a lawyer and am known by my maiden name professionally)

Flag
Hide content

6 Comments

Latest activity by Allie, on March 9, 2021 at 9:40 AM

Expert August 2021
Sara · on March 8, 2021 at 12:26 PM
Flag

Hide content
I believe there is no time limit, but the longer you wait the harder it gets. Lots of questions as to why you waited so long.
- Reply
VIP October 2021
Monica · on March 8, 2021 at 12:37 PM
Flag

Hide content
When u change ur name with social security, thats when ur name change is official. My name change didn’t happen till about 6mo and then I slowly changed my name everywhere else. Part of my wait was because social security office LOST my official documents I sent them for my name change.
- Reply
VIP October 2021
Monica · on March 8, 2021 at 12:39 PM
Flag

Hide content
Also I had a coworker who had a hyphenated last name and most situations she was forced to use the full last name she used on her driver’s license. Not one last name or the other but both.
- Reply
VIP October 2022
Samantha · on March 8, 2021 at 12:46 PM
Flag

Hide content
The SSN change is the one that matters. Once you get the new card (and if you go in person to change it, they give you a paper that shows you completed it and your new name) that’s how you change everything else. If it’s a marriage name change, they won’t care when you put it in. People change it after years.
- Reply
Master October 2019
Meghan · on March 8, 2021 at 2:31 PM
Flag

Hide content
I have heard there is a 5 year (or it might be 7 year) time frame in which you can change your name at the SS office with just your marriage license. After the 5-7 years you have to go through the court system. I am not sure if this is 100% accurate, but it's what I have been told. So you will have plenty of time.
I hyphenated my last name. Legally, I use my new hyphenated last name. But professionally I still call myself by my maiden name. Mostly because I am well established in my career and that is what everyone knows me by. However, a lot of our friends refer to me with just my new last name. Really, it does not matter what you call yourself, unless it is for legal reasons.
- Reply

VIP November 2021
Allie · on March 9, 2021 at 9:40 AM
Flag

Hide content
I work in a law office, and at my previous firm we had 2 lawyers who went by their maiden names for practicing, but used their changed names in their personal life. So I know that part can be done, and I know one of the lawyers said that her legal paperwork with the office was all under her married name, yet she practiced under her maiden name. So I'd inquire of your firm how to go about all of that so that you can still practice with your maiden name.
- Reply