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From: phys168@canterbury.ac.nz
Newsgroups: soc.feminism
Subject: Re: Name Change After Marriage
Message-ID: <1990Jul21.162716.8765@canterbury.ac.nz>
Date: 26 Jul 90 23:44:38 GMT
References: <1990Jul13.180104.16435@cbnewsh.att.com>
Organization: University of Canterbury
Lines: 25
Approved: tittle@ics.uci.edu
Nntp-Posting-Host: zola.ics.uci.edu

In article <1990Jul13.180104.16435@cbnewsh.att.com>, adelle@mtfmk.att.COM (Adelle W Petrocco) writes:
> I got married two months ago and want to use my maiden name as
> my middle name and my husband's last name.
>
> the NJ Division of Motor Vehicles won't let me do it.  It is
> their "policy" that I would have to have a legal name change.
> However, I know several women who did it without any problems.
> Does anyone know what I can do?
>
> Example:  Mary Ann Smith becomes Mary Smith Jones

In this country, this is no legal requriment to change your name upon
marriage.  I know a few people who have not changed their names after
marriage, for different reasons.  My mother wishes she had not changed
her name, and now sees marriage as a bad idea!  Although, she is
`happily' married!  I'm amazed that the NJDMV have "policy" as you
mentioned.  Isn't there somethinhg in the Human Rights Amendment that
gives you the right NOT to change your name?  Does the NJDMV have any
legallity?

--
Alan Wadsworth

Physics Department, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand.
a.wadsworth@canterbury.ac.nz (64)(3)642539 Fax (64)(3)642999