Should I have my name changed on my original license as well as registration?

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Jul 10, 2013

I would make it match my social security card, if you have one

amoLucia · Jul 11, 2013

How are you signing your name at work?

runnergirl86, BSN, MSN · Jul 11, 2013

I would suggest you change it to match your SSN and driver's license.

elprup, BSN, RN · Jul 11, 2013

Yes, make them match. You will have problems later on when they do not match. I kept my maiden name and married name, which are both on my licenses, but my social security is under my married name only. It is a total pain.

amoLucia · Jul 11, 2013

Just a thought - if you're not signing everything so that everything all matches, one might think you may be trying to be evasive or are dishonest and trying to pull a fast one/con job. That could open up a whole can of worms when someone tries to match initials with names with official documents.

Be careful!

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Jul 11, 2013

My original license was under my married name c first husband. I have another name now. I have not gone back to my school, my first state of licensure, etc. to have them change all my records. :)

When you apply for a new license somewhere, like when you move, the app will ask you by what other names you have (ever) been known. If you got married after you graduated, had one name on your NCLEX and first license, that will still all fall together because you will say that you were Ekramona Smith, are Ekramona Jones now. Even if your diploma says Ekramona Smith, with the same SSN or other ID, you're all set. If you are later Ekramona Doe and want to get a license in State 3, you will tell them that you had the previous two names.

Believe me, this isn't a big deal. Don't bother changing all the old stuff. If you have your current name on your current license, that's all that matters.

SlyFoxRN, BSN, RN · Jul 12, 2013

This why I don't get why women change their names...such a hassle!

I've never met a man who changed his name upon marriage..

Jory, MSN, APRN, CNM · Jul 12, 2013

I am newly married and have taken my husband's last name. The NYS Office of the Professions offers me the option of having my new name reflected on my original license as well as the registration certificate that is sent to me with each renewal. They say I just need to send the original parchment and they will return it to me with the new name.
I am wondering if this is something I should do or not. I'm not sure if there is some advantage or disadvantage to doing this. Will things be more complicated for me if my license shows a different last name than my registration certificate? Is there some reason I should keep my maiden name on record?
Please share if you have gone through this and have some insight. Thanks!!!

Your maiden name will always be a part of your original record, but I am shocked your BON allows this.

The bottom line is that either you have legally changed your name or you haven't. If you dropped your maiden name on your driver's license and social security card then you no longer have your maiden name...your LEGAL name needs to appear on your license...you'll have more issues if they don't match.

To me, that is a no-brainer.

Don't worry about your college transcripts. Any job application that I have ever seen always asks for "other names" that transcripts can be found under...they cross reference these with your DOB and SSN.

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Jul 12, 2013

This why I don't get why women change their names...such a hassle!
I've never met a man who changed his name upon marriage..

My husband changed his several years after we married. We knew he was going to do that when he retired so when I put down the name by which I would be known after marriage on the marriage license app I used that one. So fast-forward a few years, and the happy day came. The Monday after he retired he went to the county courthouse and had his name legally changed to ... mine.

I have also known one couple who used an entirely new hybrid name when they married (something like Harrington + Smithfield / 2 = Harfield), and two couples who hyphenated their last names and both used the result.

All four of these men found out what a PIA changing your name is. We got half a dozen certified copies of his name change, a pile of copies of those, and took about a year getting all the credit cards, alumni records, voting registration, mortgage, car titles, bank accounts, bills, etc., etc. caught up.

ekramona · Jul 17, 2013

Thanks to all of you who gave helpful advice. I guess I will change it on my original license just to avoid any confusion. It doesn't seem necessary though since, as many of you pointed out, applications will always ask me for any other names I have gone by. My diplomas that I've earned before marriage will all still have my maiden name, and I am sure any job will accept these. I'll send in my parchment and have it changed anyway, just to avoid complications.

ekramona · Jul 17, 2013

This why I don't get why women change their names...such a hassle!
I've never met a man who changed his name upon marriage..

I found it well worth the "hassle" to change my name in order to have this traditional expression of commitment to my new family and new life. It really wasn't a hassle at all as a matter of fact, I just filled out a few forms and waited on a few lines. I love my new name and was happy to do so. The only minor stumbling block was this one, which is why I posted on here asking for some advice. I hope this clears things up for you.