Name Change After Marriage

Your Options and How to Update Your Records

Introduction

While changing one's surname after marriage remains a common tradition--particularly in the United States, where roughly 70-80% of women adopt their spouse's surname--it is by no means a legal requirement. The decision is entirely personal, and modern couples have more naming options than ever before.

If you do decide to change your name after marriage, the process is relatively straightforward. Your marriage certificate serves as the legal documentation needed to update your name across all official records--no separate court petition required.

Your Naming Options

When you marry, you have several choices regarding your name:

  • Take your spouse's surname: The traditional option
  • Keep your birth name: Maintain the name you've always had
  • Hyphenate: Combine both surnames (e.g., Smith-Johnson)
  • Use your birth name as a middle name: Move your maiden name to the middle position
  • Create a new combined name: Blend both surnames into something new
  • Have your spouse take your name: The reverse of tradition
  • Both adopt a new shared surname: Start fresh together

Most of these options can be accomplished using your marriage certificate alone. However, creating an entirely new surname or having both partners change names may require a court petition in some states.

How to Change Your Name After Marriage

Step 1: Get Your Marriage Certificate

After your wedding ceremony, your officiant will file the signed marriage license with the county clerk. You can then request certified copies of your marriage certificate--order at least three to five copies, as many agencies require originals.

Step 2: Update Social Security First

Start with the Social Security Administration because other agencies verify your information against SSA records. You'll need to:

  • Complete Form SS-5 (Application for a Social Security Card)
  • Provide your certified marriage certificate
  • Show proof of identity (driver's license or passport)

In many states, you can now start this process online. There is no fee, and your new card arrives within about two weeks.

Tip: Wait at least 30 days after your wedding before applying, to allow time for state records to update.

Step 3: Update Your Driver's License

Visit your state's DMV with your marriage certificate and new Social Security card. Fees and requirements vary by state, but the process is typically quick and straightforward.

Step 4: Update Your Passport

If you have upcoming international travel, prioritize this step. Submit Form DS-82 (for mail-in renewal) or DS-11 (for in-person application) along with your marriage certificate, current passport, and a new photo. Standard processing takes 6-8 weeks.

Step 5: Update Everything Else

Once your primary documents are updated, work through your remaining accounts:

  • Bank accounts and credit cards
  • Employer (HR and payroll)
  • Insurance policies (health, auto, home, life)
  • Investment and retirement accounts
  • Utility companies
  • Voter registration
  • Professional licenses
  • Email and online accounts

Reasons to Keep Your Birth Name

There are valid reasons why many people choose not to change their name:

  • Professional identity: If you've built a career or reputation under your birth name, changing it may cause confusion
  • Academic and publication records: Researchers and authors may prefer consistency in their published work
  • Personal identity: Your name is part of who you are
  • Family heritage: You may wish to preserve your family name
  • Time and hassle: The update process requires effort across dozens of accounts
  • Cost: While most updates are free, some involve fees

Do You Need a Lawyer?

No. A name change through marriage is one of the simplest legal processes and does not require legal representation. Your marriage certificate provides all the documentation you need. However, if you encounter complications--such as wanting to create an entirely new surname not derived from either spouse's name--consulting an attorney may be helpful.

Timeline: Expect the full process--from wedding to having all major documents updated--to take one to three months, depending on how quickly you work through the steps.

Conclusion

Whether to change your name after marriage is a personal decision with no right or wrong answer. If you choose to change your name, the process is straightforward: use your marriage certificate to update Social Security first, then your driver's license, passport, and all other accounts. If you choose to keep your name, that's equally valid--and saves you the paperwork.

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