What is the JR in a legal name?

Asked by: Craig Kovacek  |  Last update: October 11, 2023
Score: 4.3/5 (14 votes)

A man with the same name as his father uses “Jr.” after his name as long as his father is alive. His father may use the suffix “Sr.” for “senior.” The son may either drop the suffix after his father's death or, if he prefers, retain it so that he won't be confused with his late father.

Is JR part of your legal name?

Sr never appears on a birth certificate but Jr, III, and IV can. They are a part of your legal name.

Do you have to put JR on legal documents?

When you sign a legal document such as a will, deed or affidavit, you should use the Jr. Doing so will help to make it clear that you are, in fact, your father's son, and not your father.

What does it mean when someone has JR in their name?

abbreviation for junior (= used at the end of a man's name to show that he is the son of a man with the same name): Martin Luther King, Jr.

How do you add a JR to a name legally?

"Junior" is merely a suffix and is actually not a part of your name; therefore, your signature is valid without it. However, its use may be necessary if it would distinguish you from your father. Thus, you should use it whenever you sign any legal documents.

AF-322: The Difference Between II and Jr. in Your Genealogy | Ancestral Findings Podcast

18 related questions found

Can a son be a Jr with a different middle name?

The Junior must be a son of the father, not a grandson. The names must be exactly the same, including the middle name.

Can I name my son II instead of JR?

When passing down a name, you may be wondering whether Jr. or II is the right suffix. Usually, the suffix Jr. is used for a baby boy who has the same name as his father, while II is used when a baby boy is named for a male relative other than the father.

Can a daughter be a Jr?

Girls can also be given the suffixes Jr and II, but it is not as common as with boys. It was sometimes done in the generations of our ancestors, but it never became as widely used as it was with boys, since girls took the last names of their husbands when they got married.

Should I put JR in my last name?

Generational titles such as Jr and Sr would make the most sense to have placed at the end of the name, regardless of first/last name order. It is still a suffix, and supposed to be the last point of the name. Ie. Alexander Kroeger Jr.

How do you address someone who is a Jr?

For the address, it is traditional to use the suffix “Jr.” for a child with the same name as a parent:
  1. John Adams, Jr.
  2. Not, John Adams, II.

What is the difference between JR and II on a birth certificate?

'Jr. ' implies that the person he is a 'junior' of – was his father. —-#3) A boy who is given the same name as a relative (in memory of or to honor that relative, say, an uncle, grandfather, etc. ) is named at birth (Full Name), II. 'II' implies that the person he was named for was not his father.

Do I need JR on my passport?

12 The prefix/suffix (Jr)

12.1 If an applicant wishes to have Junior on their passport, this should be shown on the surname field, provided this is shown on the birth certificate. Birth certificates would normally display Junior after the surname.

Can you have 2 legal names?

Legally you should only have 1 legal name. HOWEVER you can have shortened or abbreviated names, nicknames and assumed names. Assumed names can be registered in county or state offices in the US.

How do you write your name with JR on a diploma?

—–#1) It can be their formal name if it's a formal award, a nick-name or go-by name for an informal award. If they are a 'Jr. ' or a 'III' etc., the sequence post-nominal is part of their name, so include it. —–#2) Include nothing before their name: no rank, no honorific, no courtesy title.

Does your middle name have to be on your Social Security card?

For Social Security purposes, only first names and last names (surnames) are considered your legal name. You can include a middle name if it will help distinguish you from another, but your legal name for Social Security purposes will be your first and last name only.

What is a suffix on a Social Security card?

l The second part of the claim number is the suffix following the SSN. n It is usually a letter which may or may not be followed by a digit. n The suffix indicates the type of benefits the claimant receives.

Do you have to have your dad's full name to be a Jr?

Some parents still call their child a junior even if his name doesn't meet these requirements, but a son is not generally considered junior unless he is using the dad's full name. Traditionally all the men in the family need to be alive in order to be considered a Sr., Jr., III, etc.

Should JR be capitalized in a name?

Frank Thomas Jones, Jr. When you abbreviate Junior or Senior, the J or S should be capitalized. Also, don't forget the comma after the last name before you write in junior or Jr.

Can a female be a Jr after her mother?

Female “Juniors” are rare. But for certain mothers, passing down their name is a no brainer.

Do you drop the JR when Sr died?

A man with the same name as his father uses “Jr.” after his name as long as his father is alive. His father may use the suffix “Sr.” for “senior.” The son may either drop the suffix after his father's death or, if he prefers, retain it so that he won't be confused with his late father.

Why do fathers name their sons after themselves?

For dads who name their sons after themselves, it can be a very public way to let the world know: This is my son. This one belongs to me. It can also be a mother's way of honoring her hubby — or, in the case of some unwed parents, Mom's ploy to coax Daddy to stick around.

What is the female version of Junior?

The female equivalent of "junior" is also "junior." There is no difference between male and female names here. While "junior" isn't as common for women, it is still used when possible. For example, Mary Jane Junior could be a daughter's name if her mother is Mary Jane.

Does a junior have to be your first born son?

In modern society, there is no need to even follow these conventions and as previously said, there is no fixed rule about this and you can use either in naming a child. Summary: Both are used to identify that the person is the second in the family to have the name. Jr is used when the son has the same name as the ...

Can females have JR?

The female equivalent of “Junior” is “Junior.” It's just not used as often as it is with male children. The most famous example I can think of offhand is American socialite and actress Cobina Wright, Jr. the female equivalent of junior is junior. junior is not gender specific.

Should you name your son after his father?

A 1980 study showed that sons named after their dad had fewer behavioral problems, which makes sense because a kid is constantly aware that he is carrying that name. It's like having dad breathing down your neck. 3. It's the ultimate family bond.