Dr. or Mrs.? Changing your name after getting a PhD

[quackdoc]

Hi fellow Brides!

 

Does anyone here know if a Canadian woman can retain her designation as a Dr. after marriage if she legally changes her name to her husbands last name?

I am torn at this point because I love my fiancee and he would really like us to share our last name, but, I worked really hard to get that title and the designation is important professionally.

 

I am hoping at least one of you on this forum has had the same dilemma as me- some advice would be terrific!

[mmb1117]

Hi!

 I wish I could help with the Canadian part, but here in the US you can of course keep your designation.  I am also a PhD (well, almost and changing your last name does not affect the credentials behind your name or Dr. in front. Good luck and I understand completely wanting to ensure there is no problems there!

[jello]

I'm assuming you want to be Dr. HisLastName?  Totally doable, as a Dr. title is academic, not legal.  You just start calling yourself Dr. HisLastName.  It might be a little bit problematic if you're already published under your maiden name, but it should still be fairly straightforward to explain to people why some of the earlier publications on your CV are under a different name. 

[tkuzma]

You also have the option of being Dr. X professionally and Mrs Y in your personal life- a lot of my MD friends have done this.

 

I'm an MD and have no plan of changing my name, but I foresee problems in people assuming I'm Mrs (FI's last name)- haha, nothing is ever simple, is it?

[quackdoc]

Thanks Ladies!

I still have a few months to decide for sure, but for now i am leaning towards tkuzma's recommendation to be Dr. X professionally and Mrs. Y socially

Cheers!