I picked up my marriage certificate this past week (There was a three month wait for it since they had the wrong city that we got married in on the first one.) And now I figure it's time to change my last name. I haven't been happy about this. My DH's last name is Smith, which is the #1 most common name in America. When I said to myself that I would be Tara Smith, I cringed. I hate the way it sounds.
So, after giving it long thought I've decided to hyphenate it with my current last name. I'm going to have a crazy long name now but it's okay. I figure when I teach I'll just be Mrs. Smith. Oh,and I should add that my first name is not just Tara, legally, it's Tara-Maria so I'll have TWO hyphens in my name. Crazy, I know. But it's better than just having Smith as a last name, that's for sure.
Re: Finally Going to Change My Name
Smith is very common. I'd probably do the same as you are and hyphenate. Even if it makes my name really really long. I didn't realize how common my new last name was until I went to change my drivers license. The regular tag agency couldn't do it because of how common my first name and new last name were as a combo. I had to go to the DMV more than once and wait in line forever just so they could "verify" my identity. It took two minutes and they just looked at me, my drivers license, my marriage license, stamped a paper and done. Then I had to go back to the tag agency. Ugh! But it's done now. Although I do still have my maiden and married last names on Facebook, not sure why. I've been thinking about changing it.
That sucks about your first marriage license being wrong. Have you had a lot of people asking why you haven't changed your name yet?
I think no matter if you keep and hypen it or change it over all its so confusing.
I kept my maidan name as my middle name. So I am Jennifer 1st middle-Maiden Last name
Mrs. Smith was one of my least favorite elementary teachers! Lol. She was so mean and she had flaming red hair.
Married the love of my life on 1-21-12. Our princess arrived on 5-28-13.