‘Mrs’ on social media first….

So happy it’s friday.

It’s kind of a special weekend for me because my birthday is next Monday and I was able to get Monday off work. 

Whoop whoop!!

So ironically, self care starts today.

(Meanwhile, how do you spend your birthday when it falls on a Monday?…most people will be at work till late evening).

So i have this procedure i should have completed a while ago but it just hasn’t happened.

Two days ago, I decided it was time and had a conversation with a friend about how she got her husband’s last name aligned with her bank details and the office records.

Of course, I confirmed my fears. It was a bit of a hassle but it got done eventually. For the bank, there will be a lot of paper work collation if you do not intend to create a new bank account bearing your new name. I had honestly been avoiding the hassle.

By the 4th of June, I would have been married for a year. Wow…How time flies. While a lot of friends, colleagues, social media friends are aware that I have been married for a while now, I am yet to align my office records and bank details with my new surname (husband’s last name). 

But I have my new surname updated on facebook though..that’s the easiest place to update without paperwork and procedures..😂😂

From what I have noticed, once you get back to work after your honeymoon, you rush off to the Human Resources Department to get your new surname/status documented (you even have some people try to force you) and you do same for every other platform that requires updating including Social Media.

Social media accounts, particularly facebook is almost always the first to get updated though. True right?

I am not sure how important it is for married women to get a name change in other countries but in Nigeria, it is almost a norm (at least most of my friends have discussed name change procedures with me).

So, is getting a name change compulsory after marriage?

There is no standard rule for updating your social media profile with your husband’s last name as there are ladies who do not bother at all. It’s totally an individual choice.

I am not sure name change should be termed compulsory too but I think it is necessary to update revelant records. 

There are a couple of women who still bear their maiden name on their passport. I mean, if your husband is fine with it and there is no immediate reason to, it’s okay to stall a bit.

The guys are so lucky as getting married does nothing to their name. 

Ladies on the other hand have to worry about getting a name change on their passport, update bank account details, update your curriculum vitae, office details, get a newspaper publication, get a sworn affidavit and some others I cannot remember.

You will wonder if these procedures are are one of the reasons why some ladies retain their maiden name after getting married. I also know people retain their maiden name if it can be associated with a brand. For instance, a media personality might want to retain her maiden name because that’s what he/she is known as.

The ‘not so serious’ accounts like one’s email does not necessarily need to change (or does it?)…well I do not plan on creating a new email address soon. 

Some things are definitely left out as no one obviously expects a name change on training certificates and school results..*rolls eye*

With the presence of a marriage certificate as proof, do you think women must still update relevant records?

I was brought up to believe every married lady should naturally want to update her records with her husband’s last name.

I’m on it…but does everyone else feel the same way?

Share your thoughts Lovelies,

Is it fine to keep your maiden name and husband’s last name after you get married?

Did you keep your maiden name?

Did you update relevant records?

Did you first update your profile on Facebook before other pertinent records? 😉😉

Did you have to create a new email address, get a new passport?

If you are not married yet, what will you plan to do as regards name change?

And guys, will you allow your wife keep her last name?

I’ll love to read from you

Love, Peace and Cupcakes

Phaytea😚😚😚

Pictures|pixabay