Surname change

[Moar]

Greetings new to the site, and I need some help:
I am married to a Dominican and I am having problems changing my surname here in Canada. According to the regulations and policies here, registries wants to make me take both my husband's names, even though I know I should only have his Father's surname and not his Mother's. The staff here takes one look at our Marriage Cert. sees both names and that's where the confusion begins. I know there must be ways to by pass this confusion but I am at a loss as to how to do it.
Any wisdom or insight would be appreciated thank you

[Johana]

Hi there,
I was married in October and I understand what you are going through. When I went to change my driver's license they told me I had to take both last names. I said that would make us brother and sister!!!

If you are assuming your husband's name (meaning you are not legally changing your name) then you have to take both of his last names as that is his legal last name. If you want to only take his first last name then you would have to legally change your name. You will have to pay for this and if you are in Ontario they will change your birth certificate and it will take about 6-8 weeks. If at any point you want to change your name you will have to legally change it again. I decided to just take the two last names but only use one when I am signing.

Hope that helps!!!

[Chirimoya]

If you were actually going to follow the DR tradition, you wouldn't take his surname at all, so you may as well take both because replacing your maiden name with your husband's surname is the custom in your country.

[montreal]

Originally Posted by Chirimoya

so you may as well take both because replacing your maiden name with your husband's surname is the custom in your country.

That is an old custom in Canada and no longer true.
Where I come from in Canada, I cannot take my husband's name (even if I wanted to) That's been the law for 20 years.

That's what we got for burning our bras

[Moar]

yes I am glad to hear of your experience. I will do the same, as it seems a little less run around. Cheers

[Chirimoya]

Originally Posted by montreal

That is an old custom in Canada and no longer true.
Where I come from in Canada, I cannot take my husband's name (even if I wanted to) That's been the law for 20 years.

That's what we got for burning our bras

Really? You don't have the choice? I know that in the UK, for example, it is less common for women to take on their husband's surname nowadays but they have the choice (which was really what the mythical bra burning was all about).

[montreal]

A legal name change is necessary to have the same name as your spouse.
But no one does it. It's a lengthy and $$$ process. Not to mention if you separate you have to pay all over again to change your name back!!!

There are still provinces in Canada that are old fashioned though

[carolathompson]

I dont think its the provinces that are old fashioned... or a custom to be called anything but a Choice for a women , who may, or may not want to change their surname. I dont think I know one couple in the last 10 yrs, who have married , where the women did not change her last name. To each their own

[montreal]

Originally Posted by carolathompson

I dont think I know one couple in the last 10 yrs, who have married , where the women did not change her last name. To each their own

I don't know one that did change theirs, including me. I've had my name my whole life, why would I change it. Maybe he could change his name to mine

The old fashion bit was a joke That's what smiley faces are for.

I was stating to Chiri what actually happens in parts of Canada because she thought otherwise.

[Chirimoya]

I was surprised that the law would actually intervene in something like this...