Korean Job Discussion Forums

[periwinkle]

Sorry- I tried to post this in FAQ, but it said only MODS can post in that forum, so here goes: how do I change my name? Do I do it after the wedding? I guess I should Google this. I'm American, so are there any agencies back home I should contact (like social security) to let them know about the name change? Will I have to get a new passport?

[Captain Corea]

Most Korean women do not change their names after getting married.

Personally, my wife has not and if she wants to, we'll wait till we head back home.

[tzechuk]

Periwinkle.. here is what you do - I changed my name after I got married.

Go to register your marriage at your embassy, so you will have a marraige certificate. Then get a form to apply for a new passport. Write down that you are changing your name and marriage as your reason. They will give you a new passport.

After that, it's just a matter of informing the immigration department - I think you have 14 days to do it from the date you get your new passport. We didn't and we were fined 100,000 won (didn't know there was a time limit..). Anyway, they will give you a new ID card and new stamp in your passport.

Then you just have to change everything else like bank and stuff.

This is how I did it and I am British, btw.

[itaewonguy]

[taegu girl]

Periwinkle,
If you have any plans to come back to the USA sometime soon in the future as in to settle down there instead of Korea, it may be easier for you to wait to change your name until you get through all the legal paperwork you will have to provide for the INS for your husband's green card. Because changing your last name means you will have to change all your ID on top of getting and photocopying all the other stuff you will need to have for the INS. Sorry i didn;t answer you directly. My husband and I moved to the USA shortly after getting married so I didn't change my last name in order to deal with less paperwork all at once (still haven't changed it ) Korean women don't change their last name after getting married so if you are doing it for your hubby's sake, don't worry he is not going to be offended.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

So is it Mrs ��, ��, or �� ?

[PolyChronic Time Girl]

Even though people say Korean women don't change their last names, I raced in line to change my name back here in the States. My original family name was an embarrasment and I'm glad it's gone!!

To the OP: first deal with Social Security in getting a new card. I needed that to present that when I changed my name on my Driver's Licences. In all other aspects, I just needed to show my original marriage certificate to change other issues here (bank, school enrollment). Sorry, I have no idea how immigration deals with it up there. If you're changing your name for other reasons, you need to have your original court order.

[periwinkle]

Thanks, everybody! I googled name changes, and I'm going to do it the easy way and spend $30 to get a kit with all the ss, driver's license, etc. paperwork. I know Korean women don't change their name, but I would just feel strange having a different name from my future children.

Also, my name will be Woo, pronounced in Korean as Oooh, which ROCKS! Now I'll be: Oooh... Periwinkle or Periwinkle...Ooooh. Aw, yeah...

[Ya-ta Boy]

[Kimchieluver]

Woo, this food is really unique!