Full question:
I am getting married this year. I am also currently a Physician. I would like to keep my Maiden Name for Professional use only (License, DEA, Medicare, NPI# would remain my maiden name.) I would like to otherwise take my husband's surname. (Paychecks, SSN, Social events, Health care Benefits, etc.) How do I go about this? Is this an unreasonable request or even possible? If possible, where do I begin?
- Category: Licenses
- Date:
- State: California
Answer:
Typically, when a bride takes her husband's surname, she does so on the marriage certificate. To change your name for personal matters, you can use this certificate as proof when updating your name with banks, the IRS, the Social Security office, and other institutions.
If you wish to keep your maiden name for professional purposes, such as your medical license, it's best to contact your licensing agency for their specific procedures. This practice is quite common and may be informally accepted. The agency might allow you to register your name as an "AKA" (also known as) to reflect both your married and maiden names.
This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.