Clinton News-Record, 1987-02-18, Page 31A
a
Selecting your married name
It used to be that when a marriage con-
tract was signed, a woman's name,
without question, became that of her hus-
band. Today a woman, for personal or
professional reasons, may prefer to re -
tam her birth -given (maiden) name.
Social change and court rulings have pro-
vided a choice about your name.
Inherent in identity is what you are
called, and legally, that can be any name
you choose. Practically, however, you'll
want to make one of these choices: (1)
Take your husband's surname. (2) Com-
bine both of your names with a hyphen.
(3) Retain your birth -given name.
Name changing is strictly a social
custom in North America. No law dic-
tates that you use your husband's name
or that you must automatically change
your name upon marriage. Neither does
it take a court ruling to make a change in
your name. To switch to your husband's
surname or for both of you to switch to a
hyphenated version, you simply amass
identification in the new name, and con-
sistently and exclusively use it. This
name also should appear as your married
name on your marriage license. The
name becomes established through com-
mon law usage.
Some cards and documents you should
have your name changed on are Social
Insurance, driver's licenses, car registra-
tion, employment records, insurance
policies, regular creditor's records, bank
accounts, leases, credit cards, voter
registration, investment documents, and
passports.
Because of the many battles fought by
feminists, beginning with Lucy Stone's
victory to retain her name in 1855, you
should not have to go to court to be allow-
ed to continue using your birth -given
name.
If you wish to retain your birth -given
name, you should change nothing and
record it on your marriage license as
your name after marriage. By consistent-
ly and exclusively using it, you show your
intent to keep it. You will, however, have
to watch for bookkeepers and creditors
who automatically change your records.
Some women send out notes to friends
and business acquaintances stating that
they will retain their birth -given name
for legal and social purposes. At-home
cards, sent out after your wedding to in-
form friends and relatives of your new
address, can be equally effective.
Your rights to a tinancial identity
Whatever name you decide to use, the
1975 Equal Credit Opportunity Act has
gone a long way toward ensuring that a
married woman is not discriminated •
against in credit dealings.
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Showcase '87 Page 7
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