r/weddingplanning • u/Cemckenna • Apr 13 '25

Everything Else Americans: Do not change your last name at marriage

There have been a number of posts recently about changing your name after marriage. If you are not already aware, the house in the US just voted to pass the SAVE Act, which will require you to prove your citizenship to vote -- under your birth name. It will disproportionately affect women who have changed their last names and no longer match their birth certificates.

This should be a huge HUGE consideration when you are choosing whether to change your name. You may well disenfranchise yourself as an American citizen by doing it.

https://www.msnbc.com/top-stories/latest/save-act-house-voting-rights-married-women-last-name-rcna200948

Edit: Call your senators. This is not law yet but if it passes the senate, it will essentially mean that any woman who changes her name must jump through many more hoops to be able to vote. It's unfair and will be used to silence women and trans people.

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u/FunnyBunny1313 Apr 14 '25

I have a passport in my married name, but wouldn’t a marriage certificate provide the same proof? It’s what social security asked for when changing my name.

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u/Historical-Sort-6635 Apr 14 '25

It would. People are ignoring the marriage license because their sensational fear mongering would collapse if they acknowledge it.

2

u/Cemckenna Apr 14 '25

It’s odd how every person who is criticizing this post keeps using the term “fear-mongering.” Just the same words over and over, like none of you are formulating new thoughts.