Q. Hi Atty Wong, I am a follower of your column. Sa tulad naming mga OFWs dito sa Canada, at malayo sa mga kamag-anak at mahihingian ng payo, ang iyong column ay ang aming sandigan kung kami ay may mga katanungan.
Ako ay malapit ng ikasal. Ang mga papers ko po, visa, work permit, school records, at pati ang passports ko ay naka pangalan dito ay ung kasalukuyan kong panglan bilang isang dalaga o maiden name.
Ang concern ko lang po, kung ako ay may-asawa na dapat po bang palitan ang aking surname sa pangalan ng aking maging asawa? Kung mag kaganoon kasi, kinikinita ko na ang napakaraming gagawin at babaguhin sa aking mga documento. Bukod pa rito, at kung hindi mag-work out ung marriage namin, at kami ay mag separate o divorce, eh panibagong palit naman ng mga dokumento hinggil sa aking pangalan at pag katao.
Ano po ba ang maipapayo ninyo sa akin ? Angela. Salamat po.
Ans: Hi Angela, under Art. 370 of the Civil Code as amended, a married woman has the option, how she wants to be identified or known to the public, in any of the following name of preference :
a) Maiden first name and surname plus the husband’s surname;
b) Maiden first name and her husband’s surname ;
c) The husband’s full name and prefixing the word “Mrs” to indicate that she is the spouse.
Under the existing jurisprudence , a woman is not obliged to carry her husband’s surname when they get married . The married woman is not prohibited from continuously using her maiden name once she is married on the ground that when a woman marries, she does not change her name, but only her civil status.
Based on the foregoing, even if you will be married, you can still continue using your maiden name as reflected in your existing records and documents. There is no need for you to ask the permission of your husband or the court to continue using your maiden name in your official and private documents including the use of your maiden name in your passport notwithstanding your marriage .
The above submission is the jest of the ruling of the Supreme Court in the case of Ma. Virginia Remo vs. The Hon. Secretary of Foreign Affairs; G.R. No.169202,dated March 5,2010, in conjunction with Republic Act No.8292 otherwise known as the Philippine Passport Act of 1996.
Looking forward you’ll find the above in order. Thank you.