What’s in a name?

In fact, about $90 and an appearance before a judge. This is just to legally use the name on my birth certificate.

It seems that it is more economical and time effective for a female to take on the name of a new husband than it is for her to, again, use the name on her birth certificate. It doesn’t seem logical, but it does still happen.

Because I chose to keep the name of my child’s father after my divorce – to make things a little less complicated for the child (it seemed like a good decision at the time), I am now obliged to pay $80 to $90 to legally use the name on my birth certificate.

Not only is there a fee, but also several trips to the courthouse to pick up and pay for the initial paperwork and a visit before a judge, who must then use her or his years of legal experience, education and the court’s time to decide whether or not I should be able to use the name my parents gave me on my birthday.

I just don’t get it.

Carol Hanscom, Sabattus