Men Have to Pay Extra to Take Wife’s Name

When Diana Bijon’s husband, Michael Buday, wanted to take her last name after marrying her, California law said that it would require a court order, $300, and an advertisement in a newspaper, according to the ACLU of Southern California. Women who take their husband’s name only have to pay a $50 to $80 fee for a marriage license.

Currently only six states recognize a statutory right for men to take their wives’ last name (Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Massachusetts, New York, and North Dakota).

The ACLU-SC is asking a federal court to make the rules equal for name changes going both ways.

Technorati Tags: Politics, Current Events, Bush, Current Affairs, Civil Liberties, Civil Rights, Gender Equality, Name Changes, Diana Bijon, Michael Buday, Equal Rights, California, Marriage