Posted on Mar 10, 2022
Are you required to change your name in the Army if you assume a spouse's surname?
5.64K
16
9
4
4
0
I understand the process of submitting a name-change request. I understand not doing so once you've legally adopted a different name can cause major headaches. This is not about any of that.
My question is, specifically, is there any legal or regulatory *requirement* to update your name to reflect a new married name? Or, can you take your spouse's surname in the civilian world and continue to use your maiden name in the Army? I intend to seek legal counsel on this, but if anyone already has an answer with references, it would save both me and Legal some time. I haven't been able to find anything so far...
I fully intend to take my husband's name, but I've built a career (read: identity) under my maiden name and don't want to give it away just yet. I'm not interested in hyphenated last names, etc., I just want to know what's legal.
My question is, specifically, is there any legal or regulatory *requirement* to update your name to reflect a new married name? Or, can you take your spouse's surname in the civilian world and continue to use your maiden name in the Army? I intend to seek legal counsel on this, but if anyone already has an answer with references, it would save both me and Legal some time. I haven't been able to find anything so far...
I fully intend to take my husband's name, but I've built a career (read: identity) under my maiden name and don't want to give it away just yet. I'm not interested in hyphenated last names, etc., I just want to know what's legal.
Army Regulations
Law
Marriage
Advice
Rules
Posted 4 y ago
Responses: 5
5
5
0
If you change it with the Social Security Administration, you are required to change it with DEERS. Which will automatically trigger an update of ID card. Which will automatically trigger an update with the Army.
I can't tell you the reg on it, because it has been too long since I had to deal with this. But when I took my wife's name, and then again when I took my maiden name back after divorce, those were the rules.
You could TRY to dodge it... But good luck getting medical care, as health insurance, even TriCare is based off SSN (and TriCare feeds directly off DEERS).
Now... If you wanted to "informally" take your spouse's name (read: update DL and mailing address, but NOTHING ELSE), you could probably do that. But you would still have to file any legal papers with maiden name (such as wills or taxes), because, again, Social Security Administration is the one ring to rule them all, and in the darkness bind them.
I can't tell you the reg on it, because it has been too long since I had to deal with this. But when I took my wife's name, and then again when I took my maiden name back after divorce, those were the rules.
You could TRY to dodge it... But good luck getting medical care, as health insurance, even TriCare is based off SSN (and TriCare feeds directly off DEERS).
Now... If you wanted to "informally" take your spouse's name (read: update DL and mailing address, but NOTHING ELSE), you could probably do that. But you would still have to file any legal papers with maiden name (such as wills or taxes), because, again, Social Security Administration is the one ring to rule them all, and in the darkness bind them.
(5)
(0)
MSG (Join to see)
The Driver's Lisense might satiate his desire for 'instant gratification' and I can do that without a SSN update, but I wonder about the 2nd/3rd order effects.
(1)
(0)
SFC Casey O'Mally
MSG (Join to see) I forgot to address reference part. I don't know the specific reg, but start with the DEERS Reg (most likely a DoDI). That should tell you what you need to know. Probably..... Hopefully?
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
In my opinion, you should have a consistent last name throughout your life. I think the Army will adapt to your new last name with no problem. Be sure to let all of your contacts in your network know you have changed your last name. I'm guessing that most will send you a congratulations message. Many will respect your abiding by the long-standing tradition of taking your spouse's last name. I also respect your rejection of the hyphenated last name. No half measurers. Go all the way to a new last name in all your walks of life.
SFC Casey O'Mally makes an excellent point about the SSA and their relationship with DEERS. Probably many other forms of identity in you life where your last name matters. Driver's License, Loan and Investment Accounts, Title to cars, trucks, boars, bank accounts. If you're going to change your last name, then do it all the way, everywhere. KISS
SFC Casey O'Mally makes an excellent point about the SSA and their relationship with DEERS. Probably many other forms of identity in you life where your last name matters. Driver's License, Loan and Investment Accounts, Title to cars, trucks, boars, bank accounts. If you're going to change your last name, then do it all the way, everywhere. KISS
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
I kept my name. I use my husband's name only personally...
Whatever is on your documents is your legal name. If you change it on your driver's license/passport, the rest need to agree with that. If what you are trying to do is just have family and friends and others call you Mrs Smith, while you are Sgt Jones on all your paperwork, that you can do. That's what I did.
Whatever is on your documents is your legal name. If you change it on your driver's license/passport, the rest need to agree with that. If what you are trying to do is just have family and friends and others call you Mrs Smith, while you are Sgt Jones on all your paperwork, that you can do. That's what I did.
(1)
(0)
0
0
0
Issues you may run in to without updating information if you take your spouses last name. if your don't update Social Security, the name no longer matches your legal name for purpose of identification. if you update social security and not DEERS which reflects in DFAS your name won't match what is reported to IRS on W2.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
Morning. Seems to me that as a SFC, you should know the answer to this. Where do you go and ask about military regs on the legality on this very question?
1- JAG
2- research the internet
3- when in doubt revert back to answer #1.
1- JAG
2- research the internet
3- when in doubt revert back to answer #1.
(0)
(0)
MSG (Join to see)
Thank you for the comment. Please note that I specified my intent to seek JAG guidance in my original question. This was a question to "the force" for rapid response and additional considerations. As a SFC, you probably know that peers and "wargaming" give you a better picture of the situation than a simple visit to JAG could, alone.
(1)
(0)
SFC William Linnell
MSG (Join to see) - Morning. And roger. I see where you headed with this. I apologize for not catching it sooner. I can say that I have never ran into this with any of my PLT's. Even though we were all male Soldiers and tankers, it didn't pop up. Though changing your last name to your spouse doesn't hinder anything that you've done in your career, it still follows you. You still have your identity of who YOU are. I believe it would make it easier for Big Army if you did with all the paperwork involved if, hope it doesn't happen, your spouse dies. because then you will have to carry around the documents trying to prove that you were married, even though a marriage certificate, you would think, would be cut n dry. Also with your children. They have your spouses last name but yours isn't, that pain in the arse of proving it. One would think it'd be updated in the Army great big system, but unfortunately, it doesn't get punched in or the system loses it.
(0)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google