Name Changes

Hello.... Not sure if this is the right area (feel free to move of course!) I'm just curious to hear peoples' experience with changing their name who married after having already been here a while.

I definitely want to take Jamie's name, but it occurred to me today that by the time we get married there are going to be SO MANY places that my name has to change - in the US of course my passport and ss card. Here my NHS registration, NIN (not that I have one yet, but by the time I'm married I hope to), etc. It's mind boggling. Was it really as much of a hassle as it seems like it will be? And what did people start with?

Thanks!

Hi Anne it is a bit of a pain changing your name on everything but I have have just done it bit by bit ... there are still a couple of things with my maiden name on.  For some things like your bank account you will need to show your marriage certificate but other things like most utility bills you can just get it done over the phone. I haven't actually done anything about my national insurance number but because my name has changed at work I am presuming this has changed it as far as Inland Revenue are concerned. Hope so anyway!

I can't even begin to tell you how I am dreading this. I'm doing the often ill-advised 'add his to mine' thing. It's going to make my full 'official' name a bit of a mouthful but I flat out refuse to totally give up my maiden name (it's a very unique name and as my father died when I was young I'm even more attached to it - plus there's only a few of  us in the world!). Anyway, I really like my DF's name and do feel strongly about having a 'family' name, hence the tacking on of his name. I'm sure most people socially will refer to me by his name. I hope to just use my maiden name professionally, but *legally* it'll be both.

Yes, I am barking mad. I haven't even thought about where to start changing it yet.

You can apply for a new SS and passport with your new name on it at the Embassy in London.  http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10642.html   I'll even go with ya if you want... heh.

I flat out refuse to totally give up my maiden name (it's a very unique name and as my father died when I was young I'm even more attached to it - plus there's only a few of  us in the world!).

i felt just the way that you are feeling, my father passed away rather early in my life as well. i found the least painful way was to place my maiden name as my middle name and his last name as my last name on all of the name change forms. doing this allows for me to keep both names and use one socially and one professionally. i use my maiden name professionally, and the only warning is that you must remember to have your company book flights (if you travel for work) in your married name.

i hope to follow this name pattern with my children so that they can have both names as well. i know my father would have been proud! hope that my 2 cents was a bit useful!!