Los Angeles man wins right to use wife's last name

[ibid]

Comments

[thorny_rose]

Coulda sworn legally changing your name was a relatively easy process.

And that you could also change your name "by use" or "common usage".

Maybe it was just Cali, but couldn't he have simply written in his desired name on the certificate and not looked for the State to do it for him? Sure, I guess that's beside the point and there's the principle of the thing, but...

[bluestareyed]

its not just Cali. my father tried to change his name to take my mothers maiden name as his middle name when they married, and the state of PA wouldnt do it without a full name change being done, which requires a great deal more work than the paperwork that comes with a marriage certificate for a woman, as well as money and having to prove at every turn who you are with both old and new id. my husband and i had the same problem. we both wanted to use both of our names, and the state is dragging its heels on letting me use both instead of just changing it (although if i wanted just to take his name, i could fill out the paperwork, free of charge and they would handle everything) and they want him to pay extra

[padaviya]

A couple friends of mine were married about two years ago in BC and decided to take on a whole new name for themselves and future family. It was very simple and routine for her, but a long and expensive process for him.

[sugarblue_sunny]

I was not even aware this was a big deal. Glad to know, since that's what we're planning to do T___T

[svenjaliv]

Wow, that's a bit ridiculous actually. In Germany, where I'm from, it's standard practice to let a couple choose which name they want to keep... Good on them for sticking it through, though.

[theamaranth]

jeez! *grabs and posts in a feminist community*

[wagrobanite]

Around here, Here the process to change your name is simple, $8 bucks however to get everything else changes (like your Social Security, stuff like that) is a huge pain in the butt so that's why it's such a big coast.

My parents have neighbors that each have different names but have a completely different name in the phone book because she worked at the University here in town and didn't want students calling her at home.