Can I use my maiden name for work while using my married name elsewhere?

Full question:

Can I change my name to my married name on my license, passport, with creditors and such if I do not change my social security card? I want to use my maiden name for work and the only way I can do that per my job is if my social security card does not change. I want to be known for all other nonwork purposes by my husbands name. The marriage license has my maiden name and husbands name listed as last name with no hyphen.

Answer:

Yes, it is possible to use your maiden name for work while adopting your married name for other purposes. As long as your intent is not to defraud creditors, you can generally continue using your maiden name in business contexts. Legal name changes can occur due to marriage, divorce, adoption, or personal preference. However, you cannot change your name to avoid debts or legal obligations.

To change your name, you can use your marriage certificate as proof, or in some states, simply using a name can establish it as your legal name. If you want to keep your maiden name for work, you can do so as long as it is not for fraudulent reasons. It is also possible to include your original name in your new name, such as through hyphenation or adding it as a middle name.

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.

FAQs

Yes, you can still use your passport even if you change your name after marriage. However, if your passport is in your maiden name and you want to use your married name for travel, you should update your passport to reflect your new name. You will need to provide your marriage certificate as proof of the name change when applying for a new passport.