Should I Keep My Maiden Name or Hyphenate Both Married and Maiden Names?

Full question:

I'm getting married and would like to know if it is legal in Illinois to have two last names without hypenation. Also, may I use the last names interchangably? Besides financial items when do I NEED to use my full legal name?

• Category: Name Change
• Date: 04/07/2025
• State: Illinois

Answer:

Legally, there really is no difference between using both a maiden and married name or adding a hyphen between the two. It is more a matter of personal preference. A hyphenated name would be ordered (in a phonebook or catalog, for instance) under the first letter of whichever name had been placed first.

As long as not done with wrongful intent, such as to defraud creditors, it is generally acceptable to continue using a maiden name for business purposes. The need for a legal name change may result from marriage, divorce, adoption or simply a desire to have another name. Generally, you cannot change your name for a fraudulent purpose, such as avoiding debts. Means of changing your name generally include usage (in some states using a name as your own has the affect of making it your name); court order (a court order is recommended to change your name and is required by most states); or a marriage certificate as proof of name change.

A person is not allowed to change their name in order to avoid judgments or legal actions against him or her, or to avoid debts and obligations. A person can not change their name to defraud any person. As long as not done with wrongful intent, such as to defraud creditors, it is generally acceptable to continue using a maiden name for business purposes.

A legal name is often required on employment, health care, and government forms, such as driver's license, social security, and tax forms, among others. A name change may be reported to the Internal Revenue Service, Social Security Administration, U.S. Post Office, state tax departments, professional licensing agencies and societies, lenders, landlords, banks, credit card companies, phone companies, utility companies, newspapers, doctors and dentists, and schools and colleges you attend or that your children attend. When choosing a name, one needs to be aware of he conflicts that may arise in using a name that doesn't match supporting proof of identity.

See also:

http://marriage.suite101.com/article.cfm/should_you_change_your_last_name
http://weddings.ivillage.com/etiquette/0%2C%2Cr86-p%2C00.html
http://www.foreverwed.com/planning/namechg.htm