We are refinancing a home mortgage for a married couple. The deed and previous mortgage we have with them has the couple listed each as single persons, because they were just engaged at the time of the loan. Since then, they have married and taken the same last name. How do we present the names on the new refinanced mortgage?

Thanks much for the help!

Here is my example:

Old 1st Mortgage:
John Doe and Jane Done, each as single persons

Refinanced Mortgage (after marriage):
a. John and Jane Doe, husband and wife ...or
b. John Doe and Jane Done-Doe, husband and wife...or
c. something else

Hope this helps clear up my question.

In the past we have done it as:
John and Jane Doe (f/k/a Jane Smith), Husband & wife

Sometimes the married couple also wants to do a new deed from themselves as singles to themselves as married. (Although this usually isn't necessary-just what the customer wants to do)

Check with your title company, too. They may have some thoughts for you.

Our title company would have us do:

John Doe and Jane Doe f/k/a Jane Done, Husband and Wife

We do the same that BQ does and use a/k/a the first time the mortgage refinances after they marry. We do NOT however, keep doing this for every future refinance.

Think of the term 'chain of title' as an actual chain. The idea is that the deed should 'link' up to the mortgage and any subsequent refinances. Once you put a link in there that 'a/k/a' s the wife's new name to her single name, you don't have to keep repeating it going forward.

But BQ has the best advice-have your title company tell you how they want it since they will be insuring that chain of title.

Thanks for the help!