Changing identification after marriage?
Hi I am just wondering if by-law after marriage if you can take his last name and still keep your maiden name on your ID.
Kayla B
Question Asked: 26/09/2017
Wedding Date: 10/10/2020
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Answered by: 6 Experts
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(18) · Byron Bay to Ballina , North Coast NSW and Gold Coast QLD
Posted: 5/10/2017
You can keep your maiden name on your id but it is a good idea to change everything or nothing so that you do not cause confusion imho. you dont have to take his last name if you choose not to.
Many of my brides use their married name for legal purposes, but maintain their maiden name professionally.
(7) · Bayside and Mornington Peninsula and surrounds |
Posted: 2/10/2017
Hello there, when I married my husband I took my wedding certificate to work and Payroll allowed me to hyphenate my name, hence Jane Marshall-Doherty. So to answer your question yes. I have not applied for an official marriage certificate so therefore I could not change documents to my married name anyway. I use my maiden name on everything. HOWEVER to confuse you more, I use my hyphenated name on lots of things too. p.s. you will always be that young girl born with your maiden name. You can take your husband's name at marriage, hence your official certificate from the BDM. You can email me if you like for more clarification. Very good question.
If you legally change your surname (after marriage in this case, or in any other change of name context), then that 'official' name will be one that will appear on any identification documents such as your licence and passport etc.
That will be your legal and correct name.
You are free to use your maiden name in a social context, and any context where proper legal identification is not a requirement. Other than that, once your change of name has been effected, you will need to change your identification documents to reflect your new name (other wise you also cannot use them to prove your identity if they are still in your maiden name).
No , once you change your surname , this will be on all your ID
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To put it simply, you can call yourself whatever you like after the wedding day - whether it's your maiden name, married name or hyphenated. However, if you need to prove your identity, the name on your ID is what will be used. So if you are calling yourself something different to what is on your ID, there will be confusion.
I have several brides who have chosen to keep their maiden name for some purposes, and their married name for others. So they have just been selective with which ID they have chosen to change their name on. That way, they have some evidence of both names.
There is no time limit for changing your name, so if you stick with your maiden name to begin with you can always change it down the track.
Hope that helps!