With any luck, there’ll be enough room to enter your entire last name. Most airlines will request that you enter just the first initial of your middle name if both the first and middle names will entirely fit in the given name fields. Just to be sure, it’s always best to check with the airline carrier prior to booking your paid or award ticket.
Can I use my middle name instead of my first name?
In day-to-day life, you can use your middle name instead of your first name if that's what you prefer. However, to use only your middle name on legal documents, a court has to officially grant a change of name.
Can I put my middle name on my marriage certificate?
Each party to the marriage may adopt any of the following middle names: A combination of the current middle name and the birth last name of the person or spouse. So it's allowed through California law and SSA's internal guidelines. Ultimately, how do I go about getting the name I indicated on my marriage certificate?
What is the legal status of my middle name?
Your middle name exists in a state of limbo. It's there, but has no legal significance. The SSA sections off your name in halves: given name and family name.
Should you combine your last names?
If combining last names doesn’t interest you, you have a few other options to consider. One option is to change your last name to a surname in your family lineage – like your mother’s maiden name or your great-grandmothers’ last name. Another option is to create an entirely new last name.
Can I replace my last name with my middle name?
You are free to change any part of your name — you can change your first name, your middle names, and your surname.
Does your middle name count as your full legal name?
Full legal name means a natural person's first name, middle name and family name or last name, without the use of initials or a nickname. Full legal name means a natural person's first name, middle name and family name or last name, without the use of initials or a nickname.
Why do people use their middle name as their last name?
The best explanation seems to stem from Southerners' penchant for keeping a name going down the line, especially for males. You end up with John Smith Jr., III, and IV in one family, and calling a child by his middle name is an easy way to distinguish between him and his father.
What is considered your full legal name?
In general, a US born person's legal name is the name shown on his or her U.S. birth certificate (includes hyphens and apostrophes) unless the person's name has changed based on certain events, such as a marriage or a valid court order for a name change.
Are middle names official?
A person may be given a middle name regardless of whether it is necessary to distinguish them from other people with the same given name and surname.
Why do we have 3 names?
But the way we use middle names today originated in the Middle Ages when Europeans couldn't decide between giving their child a family name or the name of a saint. They eventually settled on naming their children with the given name first, baptismal name second, and surname third.
Who has the longest name in the world?
The longest personal name is 747 characters long, and belongs to Hubert Blaine Wolfeschlegelsteinhausenbergerdorff Sr. (b. 4 August 1914, Germany) who passed away on 24 October 1997, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania USA, as verified on 1 January 2021.
Can I give myself a middle name?
However, you do not need to go through the courts to be able to create a middle name for yourself - you can simply start using the middle name. To make it legal, though, you need to go through the courts.
3 attorney answers
Illegal from a criminal standpoint, no unless you are declaring something under the penalty of perjury. From a civil standpoint, it is very common for people to use their middle names, and it would only present a civil problem if it was determined that you were attempting to mislead or evade.
Neil Pedersen
I think there is nothing illegal about that if your middle name is the actual middle name on your birth certificate. I know a lawyer that regularly uses his middle name. In more formal situations, you may want to use the initial of your first name, for example a famous horse trainer goes by D. Wayne Lukas. More
Rob L Uriostegui
It is perfectly legal to use your middle name or even variations of your name, as long as you are not attempting to defraud anyone. However, in some situations, you will be required to use your real name, such as for licensing purposes, or it may be required by an employer, so it will match your social security number...
How to get a new Social Security card?
File an application for a new Social Security card, if the judge grants your request . You must attach a certified copy of the court's order with your application. Notify the department of vital records in the state in which you were born, if you want to change the name on your birth certificate. References.
Can I drop my first name and use my middle name?
How Do I Legally Drop My First Name & Just Use My Middle & Last Name? In day-to-day life, you can use your middle name instead of your first name if that's what you prefer. However, to use only your middle name on legal documents, a court has to officially grant a change of name. Every state has its own procedure for changing an adult's name, ...
Can you change your last name in Maryland?
How to Change Your Last Name in Maryland. In day-to-day life, you can use your middle name instead of your first name if that's what you prefer. However, to use only your middle name on legal documents, a court has to officially grant a change of name.
Can you change your name if you are an adult?
Generally, a court will grant a request for a change of name as long as you aren't changing it to commit fraud or for another illegal purpose.
What is a combined last name?
What is a combined (or merged) last name? A merged last name is a new last name created by combining your last name and your spouses’ last name. For example, let’s say Sally Smith and Greg Hammer are getting married. They could combine their names into Sally and Greg Hammersmith or Sally and Greg Smithhammer.
What happens when you merge two names?
When you merge two names you’re not taking someone else’s name, you’re establishing that you’re equal partners. You have the opportunity to honor both family names. Bucks the societal norms of taking your husband’s/wife’s/partner’s last name.
Do you have to change your last name after marriage?
It’s a growing trend that will continue to grow in popularity for a long time. Although you don’t have to change your name after your marriage, more than 80% of spouses end up with a new last name.
Can you combine your last name into Sally and Greg?
They could combine their names into Sally and Greg Hammersmith or Sally and Greg Smithhammer. Most states require a court order to merge two last names. Merging last names is a very unique option, especially if your merged last name sounds cool!
Why do people hyphenate their last names?
Why People Hyphenate Their Last Names. In Britain, hyphenated double surnames were historically passed down to heirs. They commemorated the com bining of family fortunes and affiliations by marriage. When there were no male heirs to the estate in the bride's line, the name could be used by the husband, usually done if he was from a family less ...
How to change your name when you have a spouse?
You might want to keep the name you have, but if you are changing your name, you have options: Take your spouse’s last name or move your last name to use as your middle name and add your spouse’s name. Create a new last name by combining both surnames. Take a completely new surname. Hyphenate your name, or both of you can hyphenate your names.
What is a hyphenated last name?
A hyphenated last name is when you and your spouse combine both of your last names with a hyphen. This is also called a double surname. In many states, when you fill out your application for your marriage license, you’ll be writing your intended married name on that application. It becomes a legal document after the marriage when ...
When did the hyphenated surname start?
This practice began in the 15th century and was limited to nobility or those of great wealth. In Victorian times, the hyphenated, or what is also called the double-barreled surname, became more popular and gradually the practice has moved from upper-crust Brits to anyone.
Do you have to give up your birth name?
The best of both: You don't have to give up your birth name, just add your partner's name to it. Professional identity: Hyphenation would be a practical way to keep your name recognition. Easier ancestry: Genealogists will appreciate that your lineage is still traceable.
Can I change my bank account before my wedding?
You can do some of the changes before the wedding, but many require a certified copy of your recorded marriage license which you’ll only have after the wedding.
Do you have to hyphenate your name on your marriage license?
Some states require you to write your new hyphenated name on your marriage license application. This application becomes the legal marriage document after the wedding. If you don't get this right, you may have to spend time and money petitioning the courts for a legal name change after the marriage.
Why do you use your maiden name as your middle name?
If you change your maiden name to your middle name, when you're dealing with unexpected little name changes at non-government institutions and need to quickly provide proof that you have just changed your name, having your maiden name as your middle name makes it easy to verify that you "added a name" and you're the same person. It's also great if you plan to continue using your maiden name in business for professional reasons, as using just part of your name is still common.
What is the real ID for citizenship?
The Real ID requirement of citizenship often means showing a birth certificate, which is fine if you've kept your original middle name after marriage. The citizenship document must match the ID document (driver's license).
Is a marriage license a valid name change?
Your marriage certificate/license is a valid name change document. Texas statutes do not spell out specific name change allowances, but the AG opinions do reference taking the spouse's name or hyphenating. The TxDPS change of information page also refers to using the marriage license as a valid name change document.
Can a husband change his surname to his wife?
Historically, husbands changing their surnames to their wives' isn't considered a marriage-related name change, but a general adult name change that requires a court order. Reply. Debbie September 3, 2019. The system is biased against men in some states.
Do you have to have a middle name on your license?
Getting used to having a middle name is also a process, and you may need to add this middle name to a lot of documents. Everything from your driver's license to passport must be in the exact same name with the same middle name, especially if your first and last names are both fairly common.
Can you have more than one middle name?
Just remember: having more than one middle name can prove unwieldy, especially when it comes to forms and documents that only have space for one middle name on them.
Is it easier to hyphenate a middle name or a maiden name?
Usually Easier Than Hyphenation. When you have your maiden name as a middle name, it's still easier than hyphenating your name. You won't struggle with an overly long name and you don't have to use your middle name on a regular basis—but you won't get penalized if you don't.
What do you need to match your name on a passport?
Answer: When applying for a new passport, the name on the passport application must match the documentation you present for proof of citizenship (usually a certified birth certificate) and proof of identity (usu ally a valid driver's license).
How long does it take to get a passport in a name?
The only way to obtain a passport in a name that is not proven by a marriage certificate or official court order is if you can prove exclusive use of the name for a period of at least 5 years. Since you recently started using the name, this is not possible.
How long does it take to change your name on your passport in Ohio?
In Ohio, you apply at the probate court of the county in which you reside. The process takes approximately 6-8 weeks and costs $108 plus publishing costs. The official court order would be the only document required to change the name on your passport.
Can you put middle initials on passport?
Answer: A middle initial is acceptable on your passport. TSA's Secure Flight Program asks passengers to enter their names as they appear on their government ID (i.e., passport). You should try to use the same name on your passport and flight reservations.
