Last name didn't change after getting married.

When I got married, I had to go through so many steps to get my surname legally changed. But it was my choice, nobody forced it upon me. I have a couple of female friends who have recently gotten married (not to each other, not that it matters), and both opted to keep their own surname. I have another friend who is engaged, and she and her fiancé are talking about creating a new surname for themselves once they're married: a blend of their current surnames, which would require both of them to go through all the hoops and paperwork of legally changing names. I even have a female friend whose surname is a lot easier to spell & pronounce than her boyfriend's, and they have actually discussed the possibility that, if they get married one day, he take her surname.

I like that the game doesn't automatically enforce one sim taking the other's name. It was always awkward in TS3 if I wanted my played sim to take her townie fiancé's name, because then I would have to get him to move in first and be the one to initiate the marriage, though at least they did have the option to go to City Hall and change it.

A dialogue box popping up when 2 sims get married, asking if one or both surnames are changing would be nice, but I think just the fact that they've "unlocked" the ability to do it in CAS without cheats is almost as good.

"smoothyrus129;13513622" wrote:
When I got married, I had to go through so many steps to get my surname legally changed. But it was my choice, nobody forced it upon me. I have a couple of female friends who have recently gotten married (not to each other, not that it matters), and both opted to keep their own surname. I have another friend who is engaged, and she and her fiancé are talking about creating a new surname for themselves once they're married: a blend of their current surnames, which would require both of them to go through all the hoops and paperwork of legally changing names. I even have a female friend whose surname is a lot easier to spell & pronounce than her boyfriend's, and they have actually discussed the possibility that, if they get married one day, he take her surname.

I like that the game doesn't automatically enforce one sim taking the other's name. It was always awkward in TS3 if I wanted my played sim to take her townie fiancé's name, because then I would have to get him to move in first and be the one to initiate the marriage, though at least they did have the option to go to City Hall and change it.

A dialogue box popping up when 2 sims get married, asking if one or both surnames are changing would be nice, but I think just the fact that they've "unlocked" the ability to do it in CAS without cheats is almost as good.

I'd love a pop up message once the sims get married. In rl, i'm kinda excited to take my fiance's last name (it's much better then mine imo though :lol: ). But I could understand that not every bride wants their husband's last name. So I think a pop up last name message would be perfect for both sides <3.

Changing my name, while not automatic, was not a pain either. I just started using my married name. The IRS got salty when I filed using my social security number without the name change, so I had to file that paperwork, and eventually I got my DL changed as well -- actually, I got that changed when my husband and I got a joint bank account.

I was young enough when I got married, though, that I didn't have that many things in my maiden name. People today get married much older, and I would imagine that often causes some hoop jumping just due to how many places you have to change it.

I changed my name last year for reasons unrelated to marriage, and it was a huge hassle to get my records updated everywhere. In fact just today I had to wait on hold with my rental insurance company because they hadn't answered my online inquiries about changing the name on my policy... In any case, I don't think any woman or anyone else should be automatically expected to take their spouse's last name. That's a very outdated concept.

I liked having the option for any Sim to change their name at City Hall in Sims 3. I also like the option now given of changing it through CAS in this version. I think that new ability should be made more clear to players who don't know about it though, and are expecting the spouse's name to change based on who proposed as in previous versions.

I have to say I was disappointed to find out my female sim kept her last name! I wish I'd been given the option to keep it or take her husband's surname.

"maplehollie;13513414" wrote:
I personally am really glad that it doesn't automatically change their last name. More and more women are choosing to not change their last name, and I'm happy that it's reflected in here. (even though I'm pretty sure that the decision had to do more with laziness than making a social statement. )

That's a nice way to think of it. But honestly I think they forgot. Just like the family trees.

"asphyxiateddoll;776362" wrote:
I moved two sims in together and when they got married, the female still has the same last name she did before they got married, and their child has her last name.

EDIT:

Shift + Cntrl+ C then enter testingcheats true
then shift+cntrl+ c again and enter cas.fulleditmode
Once you've entered those you should be able to Shift + click on your sim and edit them. Then change their name. :smiley:

"MarianneSimmer;13514904" wrote:

"Carnie;13514876" wrote:

"asphyxiateddoll;776362" wrote:
I moved two sims in together and when they got married, the female still has the same last name she did before they got married, and their child has her last name.

EDIT:

Shift + Cntrl+ C then enter testingcheats true
then shift+cntrl+ c again and enter cas.fulleditmode
Once you've entered those you should be able to Shift + click on your sim and edit them. Then change their name. :smiley:

@Carnie

Since the last patch, these cheats are no longer necessary. If you go to the dresser and Plan Outfits or if you Edit your household via Manage Households, you can change the sims' names withou any cheats.

Wow.

I missed a lot.
:s
Good to know. What about cas full edit mode on body type and facial structure? still need cheats?

"MarianneSimmer;13514918" wrote:


Yes. Only names now are freely changeable.

When did they add this?

Good to know. Thank you for that update! @MarianneSimmer