Who kept there last name and is now regretting it?

@riededo, her profile says NY. I'm also confused as to how that route would be cheaper though.

No. They don't want me to divorce. Its another way to change my name to his without paying a lot to do so. The conversation between myself and my lawyer and the county clerk was very clear.

Well this is either a great WTF Wednesday post or you live in a bizarre state that allows remarriages while your married? Will it just be voiding your recent licence like and redoing it?

I'm surprised there is not a way to obtain an amended Marriage Certificate. I know those are available in my state (generally for errors on the original certificate).

It's $210 to change your name through a superior court in NYS. I used the Google.

https://nycourts.gov/courthelp/NameChange/basics.shtml

Ok if you're in NY, you were definitely informed wrong unless you're leaving out information here. My sister changed her name 3 years after her wedding (her new last name wasn't on her license either since she never planned on changing her name. Her friend changed hers 7 years after the wedding. Similar cases and both did it to share the same last name as their kids. They both went through the same process I did by going through the ss office, etc. No weird vow renewal/remarry system.

Sorry @OP this makes no sense! I think you are mistaken.

MMB and ridedeo its cheaper because its $40 to apply for the liscence and $50 to have the ceromony that is cheaper than several hundred and waiting months to have it legally changed! I just wanted to know if others are experiencing what I am feeling or who had made the same mistake as, me! Not for individuals to compare and contrast whether my information is valid or not lol. I already checked with my lawyer and clerk office way before coming on WW so, I know what to do and how to. Thank you to those who were genuinely trying to help.

I was so intrigued by this, I looked it up. Apparently in NY there is a legit remarriage thing - you can't amend the marriage certificate to change your name so it's done through remarriage. That's kinda crazy! It does look like it's cheaper than doing the court system. Learn something new every day! I definitely think that's your best bet OP, but still a hassle.

ETA: Patricia - sorry I was giving you such a hard time. I just have never heard of such a thing! I thought your information was incorrect. Definitely intriguing. I am not changing my last name.

@riededo, so why did @Bee's sister and friend (also in NY) not have to go through the courts at all? They just went to the SS office.

Sorry OP, I'm just genuinely intrigued because I've never heard of this.

@MMB - I mean, I didn't do in depth digging. It might be a NYC only thing? Here's what the City Clerk's office says:

Requirements for an Amendment

The law permits amendments to be made to a Certificate where the error was not the result of any intended fraud, deception or attempt to avoid the effect of any valid law, regulation or statute. Either spouse must be able to provide documentary proof satisfactory to the City Clerk to support correcting the error.

Amendments cannot be made to change your new surname.

If you wish to make any change in the surname on your Certificate, you and your spouse must remarry.

If you remarry your spouse to make a change in your surname, you must state your desired surname on the new Marriage License Application.

If you choose to remarry for this purpose you will have to reapply for a Marriage License and a Marriage Ceremony and pay the applicable fees. ($35 for the Marriage License and $25 for the Marriage Ceremony, by credit card or money order payable to the City Clerk.) Since you were previously married the 24 hour waiting period does not apply and you can marry immediately after receiving your Marriage License.

http://www.cityclerk.nyc.gov/html/marriage/amendments.shtml

ETA: I still don't fully get how this works - but it's clear they have a process in place and you don't have to divorce first. I did see somewhere else (I don't have the link) that you can only change your name to what's on your marriage license, so I don't know how those other people did it.

Mmb because they probably changed there last name on the certificste when they applied for the liscence. I did not change it on the licence or anything. I can not go to SS office with my marriage liscence to change my name cause on my liscence it say's my maiden name!

@riededo, it's possibly a nyc thing or a fairly recent change? My sister and her friend changed theirs a few years ago and at that time they were in long island, NY.

Thank you ridedeo that is basically what was told to me, but the cost amount is a bit more than $25 and $35!

@Alana - she is not doing an amendment. That section explains you cannot do any amendment to change your surname (and, as you pointed out, she wouldn't qualify). But it does explain you can change your surname by doing the remarriage. Her information is totally legit - it's just something I (and apparently many others) have never heard of! I think that's why it was so confusing.

Who knew??

To OP's original question: I'm not married yet but I plan to change my name. I think we see women regretting changing their name more often than regretting keeping it. I think the best you can do is try to be true to yourself and think hard when you make the decision, but you also shouldn't feel any shame or anything if you later realize you want something else!

Especially if you can find a fix like this lol

A.Magill.inMay thank you.

Riededo no problem. I appreciate you researching this info. It not only backed mine, but it gave others a more in depth info on what I was trying to explain.

You don't have to renew vows to change your name

Taylor T. I would have to remarry, have another ceromony, or renew my vows in N.Y. state in order to change my last name to his legally as his wife!