wife change of name

amjad ali (Querist) 31 January 2011 This query is : Resolved
Sir,

I am a muslim man & My wife is a hindu. At the time of marriage she was been converted to Islam & her name was changed at Nikah & also in the Marriage Certificate. Now she has applied for a job in govt sector with her fathers name (which was before marriage). We are still in marriage. My query is that: Will it be an offence on her part if she changes her name on her own without making any affidavit or any newspaper declaration. Is it Legal to use any name as per our convenience.

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Ganesh Chavan (Expert) 31 January 2011
There is no law as such but customary traditions and convention necessiate and identify the female spouse as an integral part of the groom's family who has his own identity supported by the surname of his family. As such the surname of the girl has to give way to that of her spouse's. Besides sometimes the Spouse or his family would like the bride to be known and identified by an entirely new name. Insuch cases it is desireable to have the marriages registered seperately by observing due procedure, which would take away all doubts and queries of the authorities and in your case You have the Marriage Certificate and therefore it is not Lawful to use any name as per convenience.