I'm getting married next year and torn about changing my last name. I've built my CPA credentials and career under my current name, and all my professional certifications are tied to it. I'm worried about the paperwork nightmare with licenses and client relationships, but my fiancé's family expects it. Did you change yours when you married? What influenced your decision?

I didn’t change it and I am married for 15 years. I feel I belong to my family name and don’t just have to change my last name because everyone else does that. My husband doesn’t have to change it then why a girl has to.

I may sound crazy but here is my thoughts and why I did not change my last name .

Married for 11 years, and no—I never changed my last name. My husband never asked me to and Yes, his family expected it at first and even asked me a few times. I simply said: it’s not just about changing a name. From my school certificates to CPA certification, every achievement I’ve earned carries my father’s last name—the man who raised me, supported me, and helped shape who I am.

That name is a part of my identity. I’m proud of it. I stand by it.
So no, I won’t be changing my last name. Ever. 💪

What does it have to do with your fiance’s family? For all the admin alone, I wouldn’t. But primarily, I belong to my family name and would not want to change.

Haven’t changed mine, been married 2 years. Similar thoughts as the others above who haven’t changed theirs.
If a guy doesn’t why do I? And it’s just an administrative burden, that I don’t think stops after even the initial changes. I see questions on forms all the time about whether I’ve gone by a different name, I don’t want to have to fill all that stuff out too.
Some family assumed I’d take the name but I don’t think anyone cared when they realized I didn’t take the name.

If you're in the US, I would hold off on any name changes until this administration is over, given how much they want to restrict voting, including people with name changes.

I’m a CPA and I changed mine a long time ago. It was a pain but not unmanageable. I still do have a couple stray items in my maiden name decades later. My bigger concern for you would be that your fiancés family expects it. That to me would be a huge concern.

I’m torn changing it too. My name is the first and only gift I’ll have left from my parents.
The only time I might change it is when we have kids.

I’m gay, so wouldn’t have a man in the equation, but I will never legally change my name. I’m proud of my name and like you said, accomplished everything with it. However, I would be fine “socially” going my another last name depending on the context. It also helps that my aunt married my uncle 25 years ago and never changed hers, so we had a mix of options in the family. My aunt who is a CPA, has had to change hers twice now and that seems annoying. So I’d say go with your gut.

I’m not married but I decided a long time ago that I would not change my last name if I ever get married. I still feel that way. I like my last name and it’s easy to spell and pronounce. I agree with what others have said as well about it being a link to my parents. I’m fortunate to have a great relationship with my parents and that they’re healthy in retirement. They don’t care but my dad’s sister told me that she wishes that she hadn’t changed her last name for either of her marriages. At this point she doesn’t want to change it back and has been happily married for almost 40 years. Do what you want to do. Not what they want you to do. It’s your identity. Own it.

Keep your name - you built your identity and professional image in that name. Honestly, it is a huge pain in the butt to change your name and it is, after all, just a name. It's the name you were born with and, in my opinion, you should keep. Easy peasy.

Didn’t change my last name because I will end up with the same initials anyways when I sign off haha 🤪

I’m a CPA and I changed my name. I didn’t have a middle name so my maiden name became my middle name and my husband’s last name is now my last name. It really didn’t cause a huge issue and changing my name took some time bc you have to do it in a specific order (SS -> driver’s license -> passport). Once you do those three the rest are pretty easy with your marriage certificate and driver’s license.

Besides those three and my CPA license, I had a lot of other random things to change like bank accounts, credit cards, global entry, rewards programs for hotels and airlines, etc. It wasn’t difficult but it was at times tedious.

I changed mine when I got married and we married later in life. We are traditional and vows still have meaning. Nobody cared or got confused when I did. I let my clients and colleagues know it changed. It didn't change who I was as a person or professional. I'm still me.

I never changed my name legally but used my husband and kids’ name socially. For work I was Ms Maiden name and for social and kids school I was Mrs married name. It worked out just fine and all my paperwork and everything I earned stayed with my maiden name. Also worked out well when we divorced. Nothing to change and dropped the married name option easily….

Change your name. It’s not that serious. Your husband could resent you if you don’t.

I changed my name legally, so my ID says my new name and PwC has my legal name on my W2, but my name on Teams never changed. My physical license on my wall has my old name (not paying for a new one) even though I told the state board my new name so they have it on record. My linked in also still has my old name.

So far I’ve changed my name without it encroaching on my professional life whatsoever.

Haven’t changed mine, been married almost 7years. I am considering finally doing it though, been looking to change jobs so may time it with starting at a new place and just get it out the way at that point.

I changed my name legally (SSN and DL) and at work, but I never changed it on my CPA license or any other certifications. So far, four years later, it’s never been an issue.

I changed my name when I got married. And then changed it back when I got divorced. That marriage didn’t last long and we didn’t have children. Then ended up getting married again and changed it again.

I delayed changing my name the 2nd time but after I had kids it was just easier for us to all have the same last name.

It can be annoying but really isn’t that complicated.

My work email address has my maiden name still but I did change my name so my signature line changed. Changing my cpa license was surprisingly easy, but I do have a couple of lingering items I haven’t changed my name on.