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Dedicated August 2021

Secret Elopement and Name Change

Nicole, on June 7, 2020 at 7:52 PM Posted in Etiquette and Advice 0 4

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Hi all!

My fiancé and I are planning to elope in secret at the end of the month on our original wedding date and celebrate this as the actual wedding. Because we aren’t telling anybody for a number of reasons, I was a little hesitant on officially changing my name right away. I’m not sure where we will end up living for sure (different states) and we would not be moving in together until our postponed date. Since we are doing the elopement in a third state that neither of us reside in (maybe that doesn’t matter) and I’m not as familiar with the marriage license process in general, I’m not sure if I will need to know right then and there if I will be changing my name.
Also read somewhere that it’s less of a hassle and less costly to decide to change your name right away and just do it at the time of marriage license application. Any advice here? I feel like I’m kind of all over the place

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4 Comments

Latest activity by Elizabeth, on June 8, 2020 at 6:29 AM

Master November 2020
Kristen · on June 7, 2020 at 7:54 PM
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Change of name is up to you and what you want to do. I mean just because you legally change it you do not have to notify people. I think I may be confused as so your concern about the name change. I would just do it when married. Ultimately you would still need to take the step to change everything else like license and all that.
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Master August 2021
Jasmine · on June 7, 2020 at 8:13 PM
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You can still change your name legally at the time you get married. You would then have to submit your marriage paperwork to social security, dmv, etc.

Now THAT part you can wait on and continue going by your maiden name to others if you'd like. Just know the name changing process takes awhile regardless.
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Champion October 2018
Kelly · on June 7, 2020 at 8:31 PM
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You don’t change your name when you apply for your marriage license. In some states you put what you will intend to change it to but you’ll need to get a certified copy of the marriage certificate back and then go get a new social security card and ID etc.
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Super June 2021
Elizabeth · on June 8, 2020 at 6:29 AM
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The marriage license and name change processes are different, so you don't need to know when you sign the license. You can always do it later. It's a pretty lengthy process from what I understand.
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