Experts: New Marriage... Non-name change on paperwork??

[MissDominica]

Hi all,

I just married my hubby. I am considering keeping my maiden name because I am a NEW medical doctor (just graduated) and I want to keep my name for professional reasons (all of my degrees, etc are in my maiden name and I did 8 years of university to get Dr. in front of my last name.. so I want to keep it... at least for a little while.. I think).

So - I am filling out our spousal sponsor paperwork. All of my IDs are obviously still in my maiden name. Do I fill out the paperwork with my maiden name? Do I have to use my married name? (i.e. Does my last name automatically change to his last name upon marriage).

I don't want to do anything to make our paperwork invalid so I need to know what is the proper way to fill out the forms if I have not changed my documents to his last name (since I am not sure if I want to change my last name at all). When the marriage officer announced us, he said I was legally Mrs. X (hubby's last name)... so I'm not sure WHICH is the right way to fill out the forms - I don't want any problems.

So do I still have my maiden name.. or not? lol

 

[MissDominica]

I should note - I am the sponsor and hubby is the applicant.

But it's my sponsor paperwork - not sure if I can use my maiden name or not

 

[notsopatient]

I am a professional woman with an established career so I kept my maiden name as well. You are under no obligation to assume your husband's name. I had no difficulty being approved as a sponsor under my maiden name. Unless you legally changed your name to his you would fill your forms in under your maiden name.

 

[MissDominica]

I am a professional woman with an established career so I kept my maiden name as well. You are under no obligation to assume your husband's name. I had no difficulty being approved as a sponsor under my maiden name. Unless you legally changed your name to his you would fill your forms in under your maiden name.

I did not fill out any forms or change my name on any paperwork. However, I was worried maybe the marriage certificate itself "changed" my name as the marriage officer said I was now "legally Mrs. X" (used my married last name). But I did not change it nor does the certificate actually SHOW my name change on it... so I think I'm ok then (based on your answer) to use my maiden name.

Thank you

 

[basketballfan]

I also applied with my maiden name and was approved at the first stage. Didn't and do not plan on changing my name.

 

[agarand8]

I also applied with my maiden name and was approved at the first stage. Didn't and do not plan on changing my name.

Same here. We have different last names and it's all good.

 

[MissDominica]

Thanks guys!