Changing Your Name When You Get Married

A bride-to-be recently wrote and asked:

"I have been recently married and wish to take my husband's name. However, I work for a large corporation for many years and would like to keep my married name professionally. I know this is an option from reading all the site's articles and listings, but I am not sure how to do it. If I change my name on my social security number, the name on my paycheck and all other work documents must change as well. Could you offer any advice?"

Having a professional name that is different than your legal name only means that your business cards, the name on your door, your email, and how you are known to colleagues in the field will all stay the same. You'll change your documents such as paycheck and tax information with human resources but this needn't have an impact on your public face.

For more information on how to legally change your name, read this article.

If you're still trying to decide whether or not to change your name, here is some advice that may help you decide.