How do you legally change your middle name in the US? Can a woman do this when she gets married?

Question

What's the easiest way to legally change one's middle name?
When a woman marries and changes her surname, can she change her middle name too at no extra expense or paperwork?

If the laws are different as per state or county, I'm asking about either Hamilton County, Ohio or Ripley County, Indiana.

Credit goes to the person with a well-thought-out, specific answer.

Thank you very much! :>

Answer 1

Go to your local courthouse. Speak with the County Clerk. This may be your answer.

Answer 2

In short, it depends on the state. In some states, the marriage license has a space for the name before marriage and a space for the name after marriage. In this case, you would simply fill in the new name, including middle and that's all you would need to get a new SSN. However, if there is no such space, the SSA and DMV will only accept your last name as having changed without a court order. Neither Ohio nor Indiana appear to have such a space. To change it, you must file for a name change at the local court where you live.

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
How do you legally change your middle name in the US? Can a woman do this when she gets married?
What's the easiest way to legally change one's middle name?
When a woman marries and changes her surname, can she change her middle name too at no extra expense or paperwork?

If the laws are different as per state or county, I'm asking about either Hamilton County, Ohio or Ripley...

Answer 4

.As far as I know, you can change your name in any state at the time of marriage ---no extra charge. Other times, it varies from state. Overall, you can't change your name for the purpose of committing fraud. Be sure to notify employer, motor vehicles,passport, IRS....of any change Watch out in Lucas County, Ohio. 25 years ago someone changed my name without my permission by filing papers against me (address, d.o.b. etc. but wrong name), thus making the wrong name my legal name. I know it sounds crazy, but I had to go to court to get my real name back. Also, if you are getting married, be sure to let the person officiating know about any name change or lack of change. My advice is, don't ask permission for anything that may be your right, because permission can be denied. Then what do you do?...I also recommend having a lawyer for back-up ..just in case... If I wanted to change my name and if I were about to be married, I'd just make sure that it was officially recorded at the time of marriage. I hope this helps.

Answer 5

Name Change After Marriage Indiana

Answer 6

In Indiana: You would need to file a Petiton to change your middle name and publish notice in the local newpaper (expensive). This website should answer your questions: http://indianajustice.org/Data/DocumentLibrary/Documents/1063554144.13/view_article_publicweb?topic_id=1340100

In Indiana it would not matter what county you filed. I presume the Laws of Ohio are similar.

Try this website for Ohio name changes: http://www.namechangelaw.com/states/ohio/ohio.htm
Ohio looks easier and less expensive.

But out of curosity, why don't you just start using the different middle name? People go by their nicknames all the time....

Answer 7

Of course you can change it, it is your name, when you go to the courthouse to change to your married name dfill out a name change form for your middle name also and get them done at the same time.

Answer 8

It is entirely possible and perfectly legal to retain your maiden name as your professional name and use your married name as your social name. If you have bank accounts in your name for the business or for personal use that you wish to retain, leave them alone. You can open a joint account with your new husband in your married name if you wish. There's no legal requirement that you begin to use the husband's name. Many professional women keep their original name while knowing perfectly well that they are married and the husbands are fine with it. There is no law that requires you to assume the husband's last name.

Answer 9

I did my name change in Fl. I changed my last name to my husband and was able to change my middle name at the same time. I don't know if it makes a difference but i changed my middle name to my maiden name.

Answer 10

Go to the Courthouse where you live. Anyone can change their name to anything they want, as long as you are not taking on a name to impersonate someone. Most states have a waiver (low income) you can get so that it does not cost anything. You do have to pay for an announcement in the newspaper.