So you’re newly married or preparing to say “I do.” Despite modern conventions, there’s still good reason to assume your husband’s (or wife's) last name. Just be sure you don’t fall into one of these name-change traps. 1. Waiting too long In Ontario, a name change is free if you apply within 90 days of your wedding date. If you apply after this date, the province will charge you. Similar guidelines will apply elsewhere as well. Keep in mind that it also takes four to six weeks for your new driver’s licence and health card to arrive in the mail. 2. Starting the process too soon If you leave for your honeymoon a month after your wedding, your itinerary will need to match personal identification. Either start the process after you return to Canada, or remember to use your husband’s name when booking your vacation. 3. Forgetting the parental implications If you have children from a previous relationship, the decision to assume your new husband’s name becomes more complex. Unless your children share your last name (or they have a hyphenated surname that includes both mom and dad’s last names), chances are you’ll encounter hiccups when travelling internationally. Never cross the border or head to the airport without appropriate documents proving your relationship and the co-parent’s consent, otherwise abduction flags will be raised. 4. Hyphenating without going through the right channels Hyphenating your last name to include your husband’s is equivalent to dropping your maiden name. You still have to go through all the same channels. 5. Thinking changing and assuming your name are the same To formally change your last name, you’ll need to go through a lawyer, whether you’re changing it to your husband’s surname or both of you are taking on a trailblazing new name together. This means even your birth certificate will reflect the change. Assuming your spouse’s name is less involved. 6. Expecting a service to do it all for you While name-change services will help you complete the necessary paperwork in an organized and timely fashion, they can only update the documents that they know of. If you forget to notify them about a car title, alumni association or magazine subscription, you’ll have to deal with that on your own at a later date. Photo courtesy FlickrCC/Search Influence