So I went online today to apply for a marriage certificate. It's like a birth certificate - I need it to do any name changing, changing marital status for insurance, etc. Supposedly it takes about 12 weeks to register the marriage after the priest submits the signed documents. I also found out that there are just piles and piles of these documents waiting in some crazy basement at the city of Toronto offices, just waiting to be registered and sent a certificate.
While I wait for the files to get old and dusty, I can't do any name change stuff. Some places will take the record of solemnization (which is what the priest gave us), or the Catholic marriage certificate from the church, but most need the actual certificate from the government. Until then, the debate for legal name change vs. assuming the name begins.
Assuming is easier - you just start using your spouses new name and most banks and driver's license places and your work will just need to see the certificate, and will issue you new ID with your new name. Legally changing actually gives you a new birth certificate, with both your birth last name and married last name. It takes a bit longer.
Passports are the tricky thing - you need to change it regardless of your legal choices, but again you need to show more documents for a legal name change. I just got a new passport in March...*sigh*
I think I'll go the assuming route. It's pretty much everything BUT the birth certificate anyway! My work is already changing my name at least - my wonderful school secretary, Sherry, is already on it and contacting IT to change my work email! Love her!
I guess I can change all the online stuff and mailing lists today? Oh the life of someone not yet back to work - how lovely it is! :)
While I wait for the files to get old and dusty, I can't do any name change stuff. Some places will take the record of solemnization (which is what the priest gave us), or the Catholic marriage certificate from the church, but most need the actual certificate from the government. Until then, the debate for legal name change vs. assuming the name begins.
Assuming is easier - you just start using your spouses new name and most banks and driver's license places and your work will just need to see the certificate, and will issue you new ID with your new name. Legally changing actually gives you a new birth certificate, with both your birth last name and married last name. It takes a bit longer.
Passports are the tricky thing - you need to change it regardless of your legal choices, but again you need to show more documents for a legal name change. I just got a new passport in March...*sigh*
I think I'll go the assuming route. It's pretty much everything BUT the birth certificate anyway! My work is already changing my name at least - my wonderful school secretary, Sherry, is already on it and contacting IT to change my work email! Love her!
I guess I can change all the online stuff and mailing lists today? Oh the life of someone not yet back to work - how lovely it is! :)
Life's a beach - Matt and I on a candlelight dinner on our Honeymoon