Posted by Jeana Smith on 12/30/09 4:12pm
Msg #316137

name change

I recently got married and am wondering if I need to change my commission/stamp/signature/
etc. It expries later this year. Anyone know the rules? I live in Alabama now if that matters. Hope you all have a happy and safe New Year!

Reply by jba/fl on 12/30/09 4:28pm
Msg #316139

Do you have a professional name and a married name? So do. I don't know your laws, but....don't you get to decide who you are?

Reply by NMS/FL on 12/30/09 5:26pm
Msg #316146

Sounds like it's time to drag out your state/s notary laws/statutes and brush up! Happy New Year.

Reply by Jeana Smith on 12/30/09 5:54pm
Msg #316153

Just FYI, I will need to continue to use my old name until my commission expires. Then submit name change papers. This is just forAl, other states may vary. Something else learned today!!

Reply by Teresa/FL on 12/30/09 5:30pm
Msg #316147

You "live in Alabama now if that matters"

Was your commission issued in Alabama?

If it was issued in another state you need to check the laws in that state to see if you need to formally resign your commission. There are some circumstances that would allow you to be commissioned in more than one state, so this may not affect your situation.

Reply by Jeana Smith on 12/30/09 5:46pm
Msg #316150

Re: You "live in Alabama now if that matters"

Yes it was commissioned in Al. I'll just have to drag out the books as someone called it. I was hoping I could sign Jeana Smith like I have to when my boss forgets to write my paycheck with my new name of Jeana Carter. Since I need to do it later this year, I may as well just get a new commission, (if that is possible since I still have 6 months on it). Oh well, a long wait at the courthouse... Thanks to all.

Reply by Jim/AL on 12/30/09 6:16pm
Msg #316157

Re: You "live in Alabama now if that matters"

nothing I have ever seen in AL law to cover this. I would change on renewal personally, to much hassle otherwise.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 12/30/09 7:47pm
Msg #316159

Re: You "live in Alabama now if that matters"

Hassle or not - if she is no longer legally Jeana Smith but is now Jeana Carter, then how can she still sign as Jeana Smith. When I married, IMO, my last name legally became my husband's last name at the moment of the marriage and I no longer signed anything under my maiden name.

Jeana, how long have you been married? Have you assumed your husband's last name? Have you changed your name on your DL? If so, I'd suggest calling your SOS and see what they suggest, but IMO your commission should match your name, which should be who you really are. A change of name shouldn't be all that difficult nor all that expensive.

MHO

Reply by wisconsin on 12/30/09 8:09pm
Msg #316160

Re: You "live in Alabama now if that matters"

I disagree Linda, when you get married your name does not leagally change to your husbands the instant you are married. You have to change it leagally yourself if you choose to take his name.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 12/30/09 8:16pm
Msg #316161

Re: You "live in Alabama now if that matters"

How do you change it legally?? Through marriage! Maybe it's a state-specific thing - when I got married that was all I had to do - no court proceedings, petitions, nothing....marriage license, wedding, done....

Granted, I got married a long time ago - maybe things have changed now - but back in the Stone Age that's how it was done...

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 12/30/09 8:17pm
Msg #316162

Dangit..did it again..posted too quick

The OP has admitted she is no longer Smith, she's now Carter - I think she needs to change her name on her commission.

Reply by wisconsin on 12/30/09 8:19pm
Msg #316163

Re: You "live in Alabama now if that matters"

You have to take your marriage license to the SSA office and change it. If you don't it will not be changed leagally. You will not be able to file taxes under your married name until you do. I know from experience.

Reply by PAW on 12/31/09 7:41am
Msg #316213

How to Change a Surname After Marriage

"Women have been legally obligated to take the surname of their husbands since as early as the mid-1500s and the rein of King Henry VIII. The intent was, at least partially, to track the inheritance of real property. This legal requirement came to the United States along with the English colonists. What was law in England was law in the colonies. This did not change when the United States gained its independence. The law was in full force in some states until the 1970s. The law has been altered so that name changing is no longer mandatory in any of the 50 states. The custom, however, is still alive and well. It is a complicated process only because there are so many business and governmental relationships that must be included in the process. Some documents bearing the new name are required earlier in the process than others. Proceed in the right order to save time and frustration. The steps are the same regardless of whether its the bride or the groom or both going through the name changing process."

Read the entire interesting article and instructions at eHow: http://tinyurl.com/ycug7kk

Reply by jba/fl on 12/30/09 8:44pm
Msg #316165

And the choice is the woman's. As far as that goes, a

man can take his wife's name too. Or one can hypenate.

All kinds of new-fnagled things since that stone age time take place.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 12/30/09 8:56pm
Msg #316169

Re: And the choice is the woman's. As far as that goes, a

"..a man can take his wife's name too"

I had one of them not so long ago!! I almost didn't believe the guy - thought he was hiding from someone..

Reply by jba/fl on 12/30/09 9:29pm
Msg #316173

Re: And the choice is the woman's. As far as that goes, a

I was thinking about some of the strange names parents saddle their kids with and thought of Harry Dick, Richard (which would be shortened) Dragon and some such when I wrote this. Poor things end up being butts of jokes and here would be a great opportunity to get rid of that.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 12/30/09 8:21pm
Msg #316164

I found this, Jeana..

http://www.sos.alabama.gov/AdminServices/notaryConference2009/5/notaryDocument-VirginiaBunn.pdf


"14. How do I change the name on my notary commission?
You cannot. If your name changes during your commission you have two choices: (1) Continue notarizing with your present name until your commission expires and renew under your new name; or (2) Resign your present commission and get a new commission
under your new name. Remember that you must sign your name exactly as it appears on your commission and on your embosser."

Reply by Jack/AL on 12/30/09 9:17pm
Msg #316171

Re: I found this, Jeana..

Perhaps your commission will expires NEXT year? Just asking. You said it expires later THIS year, with less than 32 hours remaining in this year from the time you posted the question. Roll Tide.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 12/31/09 2:46am
Msg #316199

Interesting... Here's what's required in CA, just FWIW

Here's what the CA notary Handbook says in the Q & A section for those of us in California:

"I have changed my name. What do I do?
A. Send a completed name change form to the Secretary of State and, once approved, you
will be issued an amended commission that reflects your new name. Next, you will
need to file a new oath of office and an amendment to your bond with the county clerk
within 30 days from the date the amended commission was issued in order for the name
change to take effect. Within 30 days of the filing, you must obtain a new seal that reflects
the new name. Once the amended oath and bond are filed, you may no longer use the
commission, including the stamp, that was issued in your previous name. If you fail
to file your amended oath and bond within the 30-day time limit, the name change will
become void and your commission will revert back to the previous name and you will
be required to submit another name change application. (Government Code sections
8213 and 8213.6)"

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 12/31/09 6:44am
Msg #316206

Similar in FL

"If your lawful name changes, you must request an amended commission by submitting the
appropriate application form, a rider to the notary bond, and a fee of $25. You should contact
your bonding company for assistance. Once you make application for a change of name, you may continue notarizing in your former name until receipt of your amended commission and seal.

You will be given a new commission number, but you will retain the same expiration date"

Reply by TJS/CT on 12/31/09 7:34am
Msg #316211

name change

I had to do the same thing in CT in April after I lost the battle of keeping my maiden name. I had to fill out a name change form and have it notarized. After receiving my updated commission, I had to go to town hall and take the oath again and pay another fee. Of course had to get a stamp and seal. My expiration is still same the same. Told my husband that he is costing me alot of money :-) But I guess as much as he spent on me, this was a little expense!

Reply by Jeana Smith on 1/1/10 8:03pm
Msg #316383

I did get on the Alabama gov page concerning notary procedures and it did say I had to continue using my old name until my commission runs out. By the way ,now ,it's this year, Aug 2010. Will be hard to sign the new year date. Thanks for all your comments, I was off the computer for 2 days and I see alot of messages. Hope you all have a great New Year.