OT: What is my legal name??

[WisconsinDisneyGirl]

Okay-
love this part of the boards. Did not know where to post this. My SIL to be just asked me today to marry her and my brother. I can get ordained online but they need my legal name. I did change my last name when I got married but took some time to change it with social security. On my taxes it is still my madian name. My house and professional license states my married name. I did go down to SS to change it a few year back but never got a new card and tax forms still under madian. The online thing needs my legal name or the marriage won't be legal. Would not want to mess that up for my brother. Also- has anyone every done the online thing? How difficult is it in the state of IL?

 

[allyphoe]

In most states, whatever name you habitually go for non-fraudulent purposes by is your legal name. In your case, I'd vote for your married name. But the "you have to use your legal name or you can't legally sign marriage licenses" thing is to prevent people from using invented names for fraudulent purposes, not to void marriages performed by an officiant using a married vs. maiden name.

Illinois' official position (http://www.idph.state.il.us/vitalrecords/marriage_faq.htm#10) is:

Who can perform a marriage?
To be valid, a marriage must be performed by one of the following individuals:

a judge of a court of record or a retired judge of a court of record;
a judge of the Court of Claims;
the county clerk in counties having 2 million or more inhabitants (Cook County);
a public official whose powers include solemnizing marriages; or
an officiant performing the marriage in accordance with the principles of any religious denomination, Indian nation or tribe or native group provided that when such principles require an officiant, the officiant be in good standing with his religious denomination, Indian nation or tribe or native group.
More than one officiant can perform the marriage. Officiants do not have to reside in Illinois.

The person solemnizing the marriage must complete the marriage certificate form and forward it to the appropriate county clerk within 10 days after the marriage is solemnized. A newly married couple is required to file the marriage certificate if more than one officiant is involved and none of the officiants have assumed that responsibility.

There are umpteen places that will ordain you online, and they're all equally valid in the eyes of the people who register marriage licenses. If you're indifferent to the theology, there's no reason not to base the decision on fees.