Job Discussion Forums

[SaratheSlytherin]

Hey everyone,

Thanks for helping me with my question before. I've said this before but I looked on the forum and couldn't find anything about this particular topic.

I'm aware that certain original documents are required in order to legally work in Mexico.

I would like to hear from anyone who legally changed his or her name in USA prior to working in Mexico. What must you do to get a working permit if your name has changed- for personal reasons, or for marriage, for example? The new legal name would be different from the name on the birth certificate. I'm sure there's still a way to get working permits, but how do you get them if you have changed your name legally?

I haven't changed my name yet, but I have considered changing my legal name, for personal reasons. I realize I'd have to do it in USA. I wasn't abused and love my family but I have a strong reason for wanting the change. I'm not doing it now, because I don't have time, and already have a job offer. However, I want to do it this summer when school is out.

Please advise me. Thanks!

[Isla Guapa]

Well, Sara, before changing your name, think carefully about the problems it could cause for you once you're here in Mexico, trying to get your FM3, with one name on some of your documents and your new name on at least one other.

[MotherF]

We've had several teachers who married after finishing their degrees and had different names in their passports than on their degrees. It's a hassel more than a problem. Though, if your change is not do to marriage expect Mexicans to be confused by it and ask very pointed questions as to why you have changed your name.

The US Embassy will add an annotation to your passport, with your new name. If you ever get a new passport with the new name, the US Embassy can add previously known as (old name) on the annotations page. THis is enough for immigration, and I assume it will be for employers as well.

As I said this creates a hassel, so when I got married I decided to do the Mexican thing and keep my name. But from the colleagues I've seen its the sort of hassel akin to having to constantly tell people that Sue is not my last name, and occasionally find myself on the S list rather than the F list.

[thelmadatter]

I agree its more of a hassle than anything else. I had two name changes in my life. I just needed to have all the documentation in regards to them. For the first one, the marriage certificate is sufficient. For the second, I needed the divorce papers (needed them anyways) and the court order (I didnt go back to my maiden name). It means that anytime you need to show your birth certificate for whatever reason, you need to have all the rest of it. That usually means to Migra (which is logical) but, believe it or not, I needed a birth certificate to get a drivers license in Mexico State. Never got it because it wasnt worth the hassle.