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!!!
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.
I understand, I just don't think it's fair that the expression of commitment is a woman giving up her identity for a man 99% of the time. Hyphenating or creating a new name together would be an EQUAL expression of commitment from both husband and wife.
I understand, I just don't think it's fair that the expression of commitment is a woman giving up her identity for a man 99% of the time. Hyphenating or creating a new name together would be an EQUAL expression of commitment from both husband and wife.
I don't see the point of women changing their names either. It reeks of patriarchy... in the olden days a woman went from being owned by her father to being owned by her husband and she therefore took her husband's last name. I have no intentions of changing my name, if I ever get married.
I can't see why it would be necessary to change one's name on one's original license, which has long since expired. Your name was Jane Smith when you were originally licensed years ago, so why would that original license be changed to reflect your new name?
I don't see the point of women changing their names either. It reeks of patriarchy... in the olden days a woman went from being owned by her father to being owned by her husband and she therefore took her husband's last name. I have no intentions of changing my name, if I ever get married.
I can't see why it would be necessary to change one's name on one's original license, which has long since expired. Your name was Jane Smith when you were originally licensed years ago, so why would that original license be changed to reflect your new name?
Well good luck finding a man who is okay with you not taking his last name. Taking his name is something that identifies the Joanna Smith and John Smith as a family. It's not meant to have the whole "I own you" bit. You'd really hate how many (not all) Hispanics change theirs from Maria Estelle Lopez to Maria Estelle Lopez de Rodriguez; de meaning "of". Yes it sounds slightly patriarchal but many women including myself can't wait until the day we have our husband's name. I do agree and am okay with hyphenated names. My mom's is hyphenated and had her license (she's a nurse too) changed to match it. It really isn't such a bad thing. :)
Mine is hyphenated. I have never had any issues..everything else is under my married name. I figure earned that before I was married and wanted to keep my parents' name on there since they helped pay for it :) I even asked our legal department, they said they match everything up by SSN . :)
Mine is hyphenated. I have never had any issues..everything else is under my married name. I figure I warned that before I was married and wanted to keep my parents' name on there since they helped pay for it :) I even asked our legal department they said they match everything up by SSN . :)[/quote']
Hyphenation is fine. My mother is a nurse as well and her license is with her hyphenated name. I'm also a nurse and when I get married I will most likely have my last name hyphenated with his. :)
Well good luck finding a man who is okay with you not taking his last name. Taking his name is something that identifies the Joanna Smith and John Smith as a family. It's not meant to have the whole "I own you" bit. You'd really hate how many (not all) Hispanics change theirs from Maria Estelle Lopez to Maria Estelle Lopez de Rodriguez; de meaning "of". Yes it sounds slightly patriarchal but many women including myself can't wait until the day we have our husband's name. I do agree and am okay with hyphenated names. My mom's is hyphenated and had her license (she's a nurse too) changed to match it. It really isn't such a bad thing. :)
lol - I'm going to assume a woman who isn't interested in changing her name also wouldn't have much in common with a man who INSISTS his wife take his name. A man who forces his wife to take his name is proving the patriarchy issue. Don't you think a woman has equal right to insist her husband take HER last name?
lol - I'm going to assume a woman who isn't interested in changing her name also wouldn't have much in common with a man who INSISTS his wife take his name. A man who forces his wife to take his name is proving the patriarchy issue. Don't you think a woman has equal right to insist her husband take HER last name?
No. It's not common and is unheard of for a man to take his wife's name. The same way the children take daddy's last name. Idk why it's such a bad thing to change your last name?
No. It's not common and is unheard of for a man to take his wife's name. The same way the children take daddy's last name. Idk why it's such a bad thing to change your last name?
If you want to do it, then no one's judging you. Some people just find it odd. Like, the woman goes through 9 months of pregnancy and hours of painful labor, yet the kids take dads name? A woman goes through life as one person, then takes a whole new identity but a man doesn't have to, and yet you don't see how that seems a little sexist?
I find it odd that you think it's okay for a man to insist a woman take his name, but a woman cannot insist a man take hers. If men and women have equal rights, they should both be able to equally choose whether or not to change their name. No one should INSIST the other one do so, and if you defend a man's right to do so then a woman should have the same right.
If you want to do it, then no one's judging you. Some people just find it odd. Like, the woman goes through 9 months of pregnancy and hours of painful labor, yet the kids take dads name? A woman goes through life as one person, then takes a whole new identity but a man doesn't have to, and yet you don't see how that seems a little sexist?
I find it odd that you think it's okay for a man to insist a woman take his name, but a woman cannot insist a man take hers. If men and women have equal rights, they should both be able to equally choose whether or not to change their name. No one should INSIST the other one do so, and if you defend a man's right to do so then a woman should have the same right.
See thing is a lot of females are willing to take their man's last name and that's not weird or odd. I know no one including yourself will care but Im a Christian and the one verse that is repeated many times in the Bible is that a man will leave his parents and become ONE with his wife. That means they are ONE. She doesn't lose her identity by taking his last name but are joined and become a family. I will always be my feisty self, ill just have his last name next to my first name and yes, the man will always be the head of the household, chase the woman he wants, and try to provide for his family. It is in his genes. I've tried going against it at one time and it DOES NOT WORK. Granted, it's not for everyone, but for you to believe it's odd for me to accept a man wanting, NOT insisting, for his wife to take his last name is absurd. That pregnancy comment is also a little out of place. You may not have intended it but you made it sound like we are forced to go through pregnancy and birth. It's a gift, from both. Traditions will always be around and one of the norms is taking your husband's last name is one. If it's not for you that's okay too. :)
See thing is a lot of females are willing to take their man's last name and that's not weird or odd. I know no one including yourself will care but Im a Christian and the one verse that is repeated many times in the Bible is that a man will leave his parents and become ONE with his wife. That means they are ONE. She doesn't lose her identity by taking his last name but are joined and become a family. I will always be my feisty self, ill just have his last name next to my first name and yes, the man will always be the head of the household, chase the woman he wants, and try to provide for his family. It is in his genes. I've tried going against it at one time and it DOES NOT WORK. Granted, it's not for everyone, but for you to believe it's odd for me to accept a man wanting, NOT insisting, for his wife to take his last name is absurd. That pregnancy comment is also a little out of place. You may not have intended it but you made it sound like we are forced to go through pregnancy and birth. It's a gift, from both. Traditions will always be around and one of the norms is taking your husband's last name is one. If it's not for you that's okay too. :)
Well I guess we just see things different and thays okay. In this modern day, it seems a bit archaic and sexist to assume a man is always head of the household. I understand you think it doesn't work to try and have equal rights, but in many parts of the country men are actually quite open minded and liberal toward female equality. I take it from your comments you are likely very conservative and so is your hisband - in more liberal urban areas, people think differently and a man who insists that the husband is always the jead of the household would be labeled a sexist pig and end up single. I too am a Christian but one does not have to be subservient to her husband to be religious.
Clearly we disagree and thats okay. Some women think like you do and if they are happy good for them.
I just want to point out that I started this thread because I needed advice regarding the logistics of changing my name on my license. The initial post was not an invitation to criticize the actual practice of changing one's name after marriage. Perhaps it would have been more appropriate for some of the posted comments to have been saved for a thread that actually asks for your opinions!
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 am considering it. My girlfriend/fiancee (Whom I already refer to as my wife) has been in her profession for 30 years and it would be easier for me to change mine than for her to change hers.
SlyFoxRN, BSN, RN
1 Article; 137 Posts
I understand, I just don't think it's fair that the expression of commitment is a woman giving up her identity for a man 99% of the time. Hyphenating or creating a new name together would be an EQUAL expression of commitment from both husband and wife.