Hyphenated Last Names (Must *Always* Hyphenate?)

May be long hyphenated name makes you feel very inconvenient, i am sorry i do not know about it.

Oh good question. this may help in my decision to keep my current/maiden name [before his] or just take his & call it a lovely day :]

I think for legality of contracts and such, you need to have your legal name listed. I would talk to a lawyer to find out.

"Contractor David E. Ball, a sole proprietor, had a “sole owner” license in the name “Clark Heating and Air Conditioning”. The CSLB allows sole owner contractors to put their individual license in the name of a “d.b.a.”. He then contracted to perform work using the name “Clark Air Conditioning and Heating”, apparently accidently transposing the last four words.

Eventually Mr. Ball filed a collection lawsuit. The project owner challenged the claim on the basis that Mr. Ball was unlicensed and therefore barred from seeking payment pursuant to Business and Professions Code section 7031. The trial court agreed"

Just learn how to sign it very quickly - skip some of the letters.

Nothing wrong with 2 "styles" of signatures. I have a shorter signature for work documents, and then my "normal" signature for signing checks and other legal documents.

You dont have to hyphenate your name.

You can have both last name without the hyphen which then makes it legal to only use one of them. But if you have the hyphen your supposed to both.

^ that's interesting about non-hyphenated last names. I'll have to read into that. Thanks.

I'm dropping my middle name and using my madien and married name.

I'm glad you asked this because I've been wondering the same thing, but keep forgetting to look into it.

If you hyphenate you driver's license and passport, you can use either name interchangably on basically everything. Your state issued ID and your passport will need to match. Other than that, the only things that would require a full signature will be big legal documents- such as purchasing a home. You can use eithe name on your checking account, or credit cards, or whatever.

I'd recommend keeping your SS card in your maiden name if you're keeping your business stuff in your maiden name. And frankly, you've earned a business reputation with that name- I'd keep it.

So if you hyphenate it, you don't need to always use both names? I was just reading something that said in NY you either have to hyphenate or make your maiden name a middle name, that they don't allow you to put 2 last names on your marriage license. I also want to keep my maiden name for business purposes, but would prefer to use his name for everything else. I just don't know if I make my maiden name a middle name, if it's still legal for business, and I'd prefer no hyphen. NY always has to be difficult though.

From someone who works in the medical field and we deal with hyphenated last names all the time. Pick a name and stick with it!! It is so confusing for us when your name is Mary Smith-Rameriz. But every time you call you just say Smith or just say Rameriz. Then we aren't able to locate you in our system!

@Tiffany E.- Are you required to use your full hyphenated name when you go to the doctor or hospital? These are the things I've been wondering about. I don't know if you always have to use the whole name because I would prefer just his, which is why I don't want to hyphenate. I just want my name for my business. I don't want to get stuck having to write the whole hyphenated thing out all the time because I know I'll be mad at myself later for not just taking his name.

Basically, you have to use a consistent legal name for all financial purposes--with your employer, banks, credit cards, tax returns, etc. That should also be the name you use for things like medical records, so that the staff can look you up when required. You can be known socially as anything you want.

I literally spent years at one point trying to straighten out the taxes of a woman who used one name with her employer for withholding purposes, and a different name for filing her tax return. Inconsistency is what always causes the problems.

I couldn't agree with Tiffany E. more! I also work in the health care field and it is such a nightmare dealing with hyphenated names!!! I was very adamant about hyphenating until I began working in my field...and that says a lot coming from this fembot Plus, hyphenating would have made my last name way too long.

I chose to keep my middle name, make my maiden name a second middle name, and legally take my husband's last name.

I wanted to wait to change the name on things once they expired, but it didn't work that way. To change my name with work I had to change with social security. To change with my bank I had to change my driver's license, etc.

Ultimately, my first name and new last name are on everything, and what is in the middle varies.

I would find out your state laws so taxes don't get messed up-the IRS is ruthless.

2D- I never changed my SS card with my first marriage, and never had that issue. There was a box on the tax return that asks if the name on your W-2 matches those on your SS card. I always checked no, and never had a problem.

I've hyphenated my license since we got married. That is the only thing I have changed, and I have never once had a problem with anything.

I do use the hyphenated name for things like travel though- because you have to use the name on your ID.

Meghan B., where on the form did you see that? I just checked the current Form 1040, and I'm not seeing it.

Heather- You are not required to use it but if you don't it can get pretty confusing when trying to deal with insurance companies and stuff. I've had to deal with some insurance companies who won't give us authorization for procedures if we don't have the correct name so then it's just a big nightmare!

I found out my last name is hyphenated on my social security card but not in the social security system. I prefer unhyphenated. Has anyone had this issue?