Name Change Question

[Guest Jackson]

I'm in the process of waiting for the court hearing for my name change. I've got everything I need. The certified copies of my birth certificate. Even written documentation that the Department of Regulation and Licensing doesn't care that I'm going to change my name (I have a state license for my profession).

So I'm filling out the name change form to send to Vital Records up in Madison. And I get to the question about .... changing my name on my marriage license.

What?!

Holy _____! Anyone else still been legally married when the name change goes through? It's taking longer for the do-it-yourself divorce than the name change.

So here's the question: Do I have to change my name on my marriage license? Can I just leave it my old name? Or will not changing my name on my marriage license cause me more legal problems once my spouse and I file the divorce paperwork?

My spouse (and really really good friend) is a little weirded out by having two male names on a marriage license. I can't really blame him. I'm a little uncomfortable with changing it since this will be gossip in my old hometown. Not that I have too much of a problem with it, but I'd rather be the instigator of the gossip than someone else.

Help? Advice? Tell me I'm a stupid SOB for not thinking of this?

[Guest JayJaye]

No idea. I'm already divorced, but nowhere did it ask (nor did anybody ask) if I wanted to change the name on my marriage license.

If you just change it, everything will be the same. I can't imagine it screwing up the divorce. You're still legally YOU no matter what your name is. Maybe consult with your divorce attorney??

Jay

[Guest Jackson]

That's another caveat about this whole thing. We weren't going to get attorneys. Just a DIY thing. I didn't want to have to cough up the money for an attorney. And the attorney friend I have doesn't do divorce. He specializes in railroad law. Yep, railroad law. Didn't even know it existed.

I'm just going to either ask my therapist or just wait to fill it out that day in court. It won't take but a minute to do.

[Guest Evan_J]

I would say, proceed as normal with the divorce. Maybe hold off changing ID and what not till the divorce is finished. Theres no rule that says you have to change it asap.

[Guest Jackson]

That thought had crossed my mind as well; however, by this time I've got everyone at work ready for it and the court date and everything else. I figure that it really doesn't matter what I do. I just didn't know if someone else had this little problem in his experience. I'll just check with my therapist. I'm sure she'll know what to do since it must be a WI thing. I'm kind of getting the idea that in the big picture, nobody really cares how I do it.

Besides I could just say screw it all and change my name on the marriage certificate. I'm sure it's not like they've never seen anything like that before.

It just seems the state of Wisconsin is just a little strange all the way around. I went to the Department of Regulation and Licensing to get written documentation that my professional board was okay with the name change. And someone did a letter while I waited. So I can get the smackdown from the very conservative professional board for forgetting to do one little thing with patients and get fined big bucks, but they don't care that I'm going to change my name. They even asked if I wanted to have them change it that day (this past Monday). I almost told the woman to do it. For the fun of it. But thought they'd smack me down for doing it before it was legal. And then not have the right name on my displayed license. Jeez.

Gotta love the government.

[Guest Huff]

I would say, proceed as normal with the divorce. Maybe hold off changing ID and what not till the divorce is finished. Theres no rule that says you have to change it asap.

I agree... as much as it's totally bomb to have your correct name be official, finishing off the divorce first might be easier and less of a hassle. Of course, if the divorce process is going to stretch on and on for a year or two, then that might be different.

MK