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The time has come to change your name or think about whether you want to. Below are a few different situations, pros and cons and how to's. Also, don't bother applying for a Change of Name Certificate because it's of no use, we're still trying to figure out why this certificate even exists.
**A frugal tip before we get started. If you change your ID within 90 days of your wedding date it's free. Anything after that date you'll have to pay the required fee. There is an exception in BC, you have to pay for a new replacement license.
List
of Items You May Want to Change
- Birth
Certificate (optional)
- Health
Card
- Social
Insurance Card
- Driver's
License (ownership)
- Passport
- Business
License
- Bank
Account
- Credit
Cards
- Insurances
- Hospital
Cards
- Pretty
much everything with your maiden name on it should to be changed.
Below, you will
find a list of helpful links to the government agencies in your
province. All banking and credit card info can be changed
at the finanical institution that you deal with.
I'm Gonna
Take His Last Name
That's the
traditional way of doing the marriage thing. You'll have to
change all of your ID except for your birth certificate, which
can remain in your maiden name or you can change your birth certificate to your married name
if you want to change your name legally. That means if anything
should go wrong in your marriage, you'll legally have to change
your name back again to your birth name/maiden name on your birth certificate.
I'm Planning
On Hyphenating My Two Names
Some women who want to maintain both identities will keep their maiden name, then hyphenate their name and their husband's last name. You'll still have to change all your ID and when signing anything, use both hyphenated names. When you have children you'll have the choice of giving them just your husband's last name or the hyphenated version that you've chosen.
Maiden
Name Instead of Middle Name
This is
where you will change your name from Mary Jean Jones who's married
to Tom Brown, to Mary Jones Brown. You'll still have to change
your ID but your children will take on only your husband's last
name.
I'm Not
Changing My Name
You keep
your name, he has his. This situation is particularly good if
you have children from a previous marriage and want to retain
the same name as your children. You won't have to change your
ID and if you have an established business, nothing changes
there either. Difficulties show up with family and children
born out of this marriage.
It's confusing for the school and the child who also has a different name from one of their parents.
This can be embarassing for some men when you don't want to
assume his last name. We won't even bring up the in-laws! YIKES!!
You can
keep your own name legally and at work but assume your husband's
name socially. That means, on all your ID your name is the same
as the one you were born with but if you get invited to a party
the invitation will say to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Brown.
Provincial
Government Links
The following
URL's will help you get your particular provincial information.
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