Question about Last Names and Marriage

[Ricky1977]

Hello everyone. This is my first post outside of the introduction thread.

Anyway, hopefully in November, here in the state of Washington, same sex marriage will become legal. We already have civil unions here under the "Everything but Marriage Law". But I would personally much rather have same sex marriages.

My question is to those who live in states with legalized same sex marriage, or those who know something about the topic, and it may kind of sound rather simple.

When two people of the same sex get married, can one of the parties take the surname of their new spouse like the wife can take the husband's last name in a heterosexual marriage?

[Blue]

Same sex marriage isn't recognized nationally so, it's sort of hit or miss. (Yes I checked on it in the states where it is, or has been legal) Some localities allow the name change same as hetero couples, others require you to petition the courts for a legal name change that stands separate from the marriage and, some don't allow it at all, you'd need another reason for a legal name change.

The best thing to do is ask your local clerk of courts.

[Ricky1977]

Thanks, I guess I will have to find out how it will be here in Washington once (crossing fingers) its made legal in November.

I am a little annoyed to hear that some areas do not allow it at all. Seems like the fight for marriage equality doesn't necessarily end with the legalization of same sex marriage.

Thanks again!

[megumidesu]

i think it probably depends more on the legality of and how easy it is to change your name ~


(also , sometimes the husband takes his wife's name in a heterosexual marriage . it's just not as common for some reason . just thought i'd mention that xDD )

[princealbertofb]

Hello everyone. This is my first post outside of the introduction thread.

Anyway, hopefully in November, here in the state of Washington, same sex marriage will become legal. We already have civil unions here under the "Everything but Marriage Law". But I would personally much rather have same sex marriages.

My question is to those who live in states with legalized same sex marriage, or those who know something about the topic, and it may kind of sound rather simple.

When two people of the same sex get married, can one of the parties take the surname of their new spouse like the wife can take the husband's last name in a heterosexual marriage?

I think it may well be possible. One couple from the porn industry bore the same name: the Jaric couple, Aden and Jordan (I think) (now separated, maybe 'divorced'...)

[princealbertofb]

Same sex marriage isn't recognized nationally so, it's sort of hit or miss. (Yes I checked on it in the states where it is, or has been legal) Some localities allow the name change same as hetero couples, others require you to petition the courts for a legal name change that stands separate from the marriage and, some don't allow it at all, you'd need another reason for a legal name change.

The best thing to do is ask your local clerk of courts.

If it appears that states allowing same sex marriage allow hetero couples to change names but not same-sex couples, then it's something that ought to be fair too, and needs fighting for (there should not be a double standard)... Wonder why they don't have a problem with wives taking on their husband's name (the norm), or men taking their wive's name (maybe rarer) but they'd have a problem with two married men doing the same? I mean: married is MARRIED, isn't it?
Maybe the solution resides in having a double-barrelled name comprising both family names? They do that in Spain, for kids.

[OrphanPip]

In Quebec you have to file to have your name changed, which is the same procedure for heterosexual marriages.

[Ricky1977]

Thanks everyone. If Romney wins the election, it may be a moot point for now.

[AquarianDragon]

I've wondered about name change with Sir Elton John. He is married to David Furnish, and a knight's spouse becomes a Lady. Does that make him Lady David John?

[EvenOlderButWiser]

I've wondered about name change with Sir Elton John. He is married to David Furnish, and a knight's spouse becomes a Lady. Does that make him Lady David John?

In a word, no.

Historically heraldic titles can only be awarded to a single recipient with the wife (or husband) given an equivalent courtesy title. The important thing here is that the partner must be the husband or wife (I.e. married partner) to receive the courtesy title.

In the UK only Civil Partnerships are recodnised in law, marriage, in the traditional sense, is not legalised between same sex couples. As a result there is no courtesy title given to same sex partners.

There is an ongoing debate about allowing formal same sex marriage in the legal sense here in the UK, but as is the norm, such debates are hijacked by the religious right (left and centre) resulting in lots of talk, but no action. When (not if, if current government gets its way) gay marriage is legalised, the heraldic laws will also be changed to allow a courtesy title to be extended to the same sex, and it can be a Sir-Sir or indeed a Dame-Dame title.

The good news for us Brits is that we don't have the whole State Legislator system the US has, so once the law is changed, it's changed pretty much throught the land - although I think Scotland has to approve its own version, again for historical reasons.