questions & answers

Question: How do I determine my wife's legal name? Prior to marriage and according to her birth certificate, her name was [first name] [mother's maiden surname] [father's surname]. After marriage and consistent with her cultural practice, she dropped her mother's maiden surname as a middle name and now uses [first name] [Father's surname] [husbands surname]. There is no indication of the name change on the marriage certificate. How do we know what is the proper name to use for driver's licenses, passports etc.?

Answer: If your bride wishes to change her name just as many brides have done for years.  Check out this website which gives you a list of how to legally change the name and the documents you will require.  Go to: https://www.brides.com/story/guide-to-changing-your-name-after-marriage.  The first key step is changing her social security card.  Make sure you get several certified copies of your marriage certificate.  Even though the new name is not on the marriage certificate, the certificate proves she has the right to use your last name.