Gay couples can use married names on passports

[question everything]

Source: AP

BOSTON (AP) — Gay couples traveling overseas can now show passports that feature their married names, letting them take advantage of a little-noticed revision to State Department regulations that critics had feared would undermine the federal Defense of Marriage Act.

The notice of the change says that it does not mean the State Department is recognizing the validity of same-sex marriages and civil unions, but that it was to comply with an amendment to the Code of Federal Regulations that took effect in February 2008.

The name-change revision took effect May 27 in an addition to the State Department's Foreign Affairs Manual. It allows same-sex couples to obtain passports under the names recognized by their state through their marriages or civil unions.



Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hm4Hp9uzFNlX5rjZPhgbcLxt1WVAD98U068O2

[Fearless]

1. Damn, I put up the same story from another link 10 seconds ago!

Here's the link anywho, I'll have them delete it.

http://carnalnation.com/content/9855/4/us-state-department-gays-can-use-married-names-passports

[question everything]

3. I am sorry. I actually searched before posting

but, either way, the more it is publicized, the better.

[Fearless]

4. No biggie, I'll just kick you another time... see if anyone's around.

:kick:

[Fearless]

2. This is really huge in terms of federal legitimacy.

[liteworker101]

5. I wish I could take another name on my passport...n/t

[SheilaT]

6. Interesting.

I never actually understand why women have been so eager to change their names upon marriage. It's always struck me as rather weird, and when I married in 1980 I did not change my name. Which made life much easier when I got divorced last year.

But I do go along with any and all things that support full equality for same-gender couples. If they want to change names, they should be allowed to.

I actually have given a lot of thought over the years about the implications and consequences of full gay marriage equality, and have occasionally found myself somewhat befuddled by certain aspects, such as how a divorce is handled, but realized that re-writing the laws to be gender neutral really isn't all that difficult. Obviously, some of us have to rework how we think about such things, but that's not really all that hard.

As it is, I understand that in this country a person is allowed to use whatever name he or she chooses, so long as there is no intent to defraud, so there really ought to be no true issue here.

[Fearless]

7. On name changing...

Sometimes in the GLBTQ community, there are special circumstances outside of heterosexual marriage name changing, particularly if one partner is disowned or their marriage is unrecognized by one family. That gives people a strong impetus to change their name to their (loving) partner's. Otherwise, I think the arguments are the same as are with straight couples: personal preference or tradition.

[merwin]

9. I think it's more of a "completing the union" thing now more than anything else.

I've seen a lot more people join their two names together or take a completely different last name as well. I like both of those ideas.

[merwin]

10. clicked submit twice.

Whoops

[Ms. Toad]

12. Depends on state law,

But in many states you are correct - it is through the common law name change procedure. Generally, you just start using whatever name you intend to use and it becomes your legal name over time (those details are set by each state). You'd have to research each states' laws to see what the process is in each state.

The problem comes in when you need to prove what your legal name is ( for passports, Social Security, etc.) The Federal government is inconsistent with state law and generally requires you prove your legal name with documents that do exist if you have changed your name by common law rather than through an official proceeding (court or marriage). This isn't a problem just in the area of same gender couples, although that is the most obvious manifestation of the problem.

[SheilaT]

15. Thanks for the clarification.

Would perhaps the best step be to go through a simple name change filing with your state?

Since I've never changed my name, I'm a bit vague as to what's involved. But I would think that for a same-gender couple, if one of them simply petitions the court for a name change, it ought to be fairly easy. I suppose I'm overlooking the hostility that so many have against same-gender couples, and so what seems to be to be simple and straightforward just isn't.

[Ms. Toad]

16. If you don't want to have hassles with the feds

that is the easiest route. It shouldn't be required (depending on your state law), but as a practical matter it often is.

That is also where the hostility comes in - there have been states that have denied the right to change your name because the reason is to create a family name with your same gender partner.

[SheilaT]

17. I guess becdause I never had any

desire to change my name, I have a certain amount of trouble understanding why this is a particular issue.

And back when I didn't change my name (this nearly thirty years ago) people would frequently assume that of course I'd make the change if I ever had kids, or that if I still didn't change, it would be impossibly confusing. I always pointed out that divorce and remarriage were so common that in many "normal" families at least one person would have a different surname

I also see that with many heterosexual couples the name change causes unnecessary complications.

But if a same-gender couple couple wants to do a name change of some kind, they should be allowed to.

[Q3JR4]

8. Okay, now about DADT and that DOJ DOMA memo

that you never adequately addressed.

Q3JR4
The president:Don't look at me, I'm trying to get people who would never vote for me in a million years to reconsider their position while throwing you to the wolves. But, hey, I'll still take your money, how's that work for ya?

[griloco]

11. Niagara Falls

Justice: Where have you been?
Bigotry: Niagara Falls
Justice: Niagara Falls, NiaGAra FalLS, NIAGARA FALLS!! Slowly I turned, step by step....

[izquierdista]

13. Where I draw the line

Drag queens should NOT be allowed to have passports with their stage names. Anything short of that, people should be able to do whatever they want.

[marshall]

14. Why is this even an issue?

People can change their names to whatever they want, irregardless of whether they are married or if they choose their partner's name. I could go to court and have my name changed to Santa Claus, and then file for a passport in that name.

I know of same sex couples in my area who are not married legally but who have changed their names.