Anybody got their marriage certificate handy to check something for me?

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Patty

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 15, 2008
Messages
711
On the marriage certificate (form dha-27), there are two fields for my wife to complete.... Maiden name and present surname. The minister told my wife to complete her before marriage surname on both these fields. To us it seemed wrong because why would they specify maidem surname and present surname right underneath each other but in the stress of the moment we just went with it. I would imagine in the present surname field she should have completed her new surname after marriage, and not her old surname.

Things is now we going through the whole process of name changes etc and just would like to verify this as to ensure it doesnt bite us in the bum later onin life. If you have certificate lying around please could you check what yours looks like?

Thanks :)
 
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TheMightyP

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 17, 2009
Messages
512
On ours, my wife's maiden name is next to 'Maiden Name' (as you'd expect). So this was her surname before she got married. Then next to 'Present Surname' is a dash - i.e. it isn't filled in. This must be because she hadn't changed her surname before getting married to me. I.e. she hadn't been married before.

I think it's probably fine/correct to do as the minister said and have both fields completed with her maiden surname.

PS. Apply for (or make sure you get) your unabridged marriage certificate. This makes collecting documents for emigration much easier...
 
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Roxi_B4b3

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 6, 2012
Messages
588
It does make sense if you think about it. For example: A lady got married, and her husband died. She kept his name after his death but now she wants to get married again. So in that case her maiden name and current surname would be different.
 
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