What's Next?

The Pros and Cons of Changing Your Name

What's in a name? Depending on your point-of-view, your family
name, be it Smith, Jones or Kennedy, has been handed down
through countless generations and bestowed upon you, with all the
human agonies and ecstasies that accompanied it through the
ages. Or, it's something that you've hated since you were a child,
and can't wait to be rid of.

More women decide to keep their family name after marriage than,
say, 50 years ago. It became almost trendy in the late '70s and
throughout the '80s to join her family name with his in a hyphenated
format, and we lived in a world of Smith-Joneses and Evert-Lloyds.

Some women decide to keep their family name for less than
sentimental reasons. For one thing, it's easier. If you don't change
your name, you don't have to fill out all those forms for the Social
Security, the bank, the credit card companies, the insurance
policies, etc.

Some women, perhaps more especially in show business, but often
in other professional capacities, have "made a name for
themselves," and it would confuse their public should they change
from, say, a Maria Shriver to a Maria Schwarzenegger. There are
those who have found a way to circumvent this dilemma. The
one-name-only Madonna and Cher are famous examples!

It's less likely for men to have to deal with the problem of changing
names -- unless of course you're a rock star who was formerly
known as Prince. However, there are some, especially over the last
decade or so, who have changed their last names to that of their
bride, as a mark of respect, solidarity and belief in equality, or just
because it sounded better. Some couples have taken it a step
further and created a brand new dynasty by both changing their
names to a new one.

Name-Change Forms

Here are links to some of the forms you'll need to make your
name-change official. Most sites offer forms that can be
downloaded and viewed with Adobe Acrobat Reader software.

Social Security:
http:/www.ssa.gov/online/ss-5.html

IRS:
http:/www.irs.ustreas.gov/forms_pubs/forms.html

U.S. Postal Service: (address change)
http://www.usps.gov/moversnet/coa.html

Department of Motor Vehicles: (driver's license)
http://dmv.state.pa.us/forms/index.asp

Other people who need to be notified:

Banks 
Credit card companies 
Insurance companies (medical and life) 
Utility companies 
Doctors 
Dentists 
Clubs & Associations