Married couple w/ different last names

Hi. I am a forign national who lives in California.
I am married to an American. I took my my husband's last name. I recently met a couple who have different last names. They said it is legal in IL ,where they got married. I would like to use my maden name as my legal last name too if i can. Is it legal in California?
If so, how can I change it?
(My legal name in my mother country is my maden name)
Thank you in advance for any help you can provide.

[I AM ALWAYS LIABLE]

Originally posted by eszaq
Hi. I am a forign national who lives in California.
I am married to an American. I took my my husband's last name. I recently met a couple who have different last names. They said it is legal in IL ,where they got married. I would like to use my maden name as my legal last name too if i can. Is it legal in California?
If so, how can I change it?
(My legal name in my mother country is my maden name)
Thank you in advance for any help you can provide.

My response:

It is becoming frequently the case in California that both spouses have different last names. There is no law that compels either of the spouses to take the name of the other. Name changing has its roots in "tradition" for the sake of the children, and to promote harmony, rather than confusion.

In California, either spouse can, upon marriage, take the name of the other spouse; i.e., taking the new name is not just the choice of the female at time of marriage. The male may, in fact, choose to take the last name of his wife.

At time of marriage, when one of the spouses voluntarily takes the name of the other spouse, that new last name becomes the legal last name of the choosing spouse.

In California, there are three ways of changing a your name:

1. As explained above;

2. Through Petition for Name Change; or,

3. Requesting a name change back to one's original name at time of divorce.

If you wish to remain married, but also want to change your name - to anything you want - then your choice would be number 2, above.

Good luck to you.

IAAL

It helped me a lot, thank you.
In my case, it is number 2 (throug petition for name change)
I hope it isn't a complicated process and doesn't take
a long time to do it.
thank you once again for your advise.

[I AM ALWAYS LIABLE]

My response:

You're welcome.

As far as court and legal processes are concerned, a Petition for Name Change is one of the simplest processes to accomplish in the State of California.

There are many good books on the subject. Pick one up at your local bookstore - - like Barnes & Noble.

Good luck.

IAAL

I feel much better to know that it is a simple process.
I will go to the book store and stydy for it!
Thank you very much.