Junior Rasmussen
Changing your name after marriage is a deeply personal choice. While it is not a legal requirement, some people may opt to take their spouse's name, hyphenate their name, change their middle name, or create an entirely new name. The name change process varies by state, but generally, a person will need a marriage certificate, Social Security Card, driver's license, birth certificate, or passport. It is recommended to change your name on your Social Security card, driver's license, and passport all at once and back-to-back.
Characteristics of changing your name before or after the wedding
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Obligation to change name | There is no legal obligation to change your name after marriage. |
| Timing | Most states don't impose a deadline for changing your name after marriage. You can start the process right away or wait until it makes sense for you. |
| Documents | You will need a certified copy of your marriage certificate, your updated Social Security Card, a new driver's license, and a passport. |
| Name change options | You can take your spouse's last name, hyphenate your name, change your middle name, or create an entirely new name with your spouse. |
| Process | The process varies by state, but you'll generally need to contact government agencies and provide the required documents. |
| Costs | There may be small fees for obtaining certified copies of your marriage certificate and other documents. |
| Other considerations | Changing your name can be time-consuming and may impact various aspects of your life, such as bank accounts, credit cards, and social media profiles. |
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What You'll Learn
There is no legal obligation to change your name after marriage
If you do decide to change your name, you will need to gather a lot of documents and take care of several small legal details to make sure your new name appears on all your essential papers and accounts. The process varies by state, but generally, you will need to start by contacting a few government agencies and updating your records with a certified copy of your marriage certificate. This includes the Social Security Administration (SSA), the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), and the U.S. Department of State to update your passport.
It is important to note that marriage license and certificate have no impact on your legal name or identity. If you take no action after your wedding, your name will remain the same. You may choose to take your spouse's name, hyphenate your name, change your middle name, or create an entirely new name with your spouse. However, if you want to change your first name or your last name to something unrelated to your spouse's name, you will likely need to go through a legal name change process, which may require a court order.
Additionally, it is recommended to wait until you receive your new Social Security card before changing your name anywhere else, as it may cause issues with your tax returns. The SSA will notify the IRS of your name change, but it may take some time. Once you have your updated Social Security card, you can proceed to update your driver's license or state-issued identification card.
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To change your name legally, you must contact government agencies
Changing your name after marriage is an exciting prospect, but it can be a time-consuming process. To change your name legally, you must contact government agencies. The process varies depending on the state, so it is important to check the specific requirements for your state. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the process:
Step 1: Obtain a Marriage Certificate
Firstly, you will need to obtain a marriage certificate with your new name. Before the wedding, you must apply for a marriage license, which will be issued by your local government. After the wedding, your new name will be reflected on the marriage certificate. You may need multiple certified copies of this certificate, as it is required for changing your name on other forms of identification.
Step 2: Update your Social Security Card
The next step is to update your name with the Social Security Administration (SSA). You will need to report your name change and provide a certified copy of your marriage certificate. It is important to wait until you receive your updated Social Security Card before proceeding with other name changes, and to ensure that the IRS is aware of your name change before filing your tax returns.
Step 3: Contact Relevant Government Agencies
There are several other government agencies that you must notify of your name change. This includes the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to update your driver's license or state-issued identification card. You may also need to contact the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) if you receive veterans' benefits, the local post office, your state's social services office if you receive public assistance, and your state taxing authority if you pay property tax.
Step 4: Update Companies and Services
Once you have updated your name with government agencies, you can proceed to change your name with companies and services, such as your bank account, credit card, and payroll. You may also want to update your name on social media and email accounts, as well as sending out wedding announcement cards to your social circle.
Additional Considerations
It is important to note that if you wish to change your first name or create an entirely new last name, you may need to obtain a court order. Additionally, if you are not a US citizen, the process may vary, and you should seek specific guidance.
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You can change your name socially but not legally
Changing your name after marriage can be a time-consuming process, so it's understandable that you might want to change your name socially but not legally. This means that legally, you maintain your original name, but you use and/or accept your married name in your social circles.
If you want to change your name socially, you can introduce yourself with your new name, change your emails, and update your social media presence. You can also ask your wedding officiant to announce you as Mr and Mrs [Last Name] at your wedding. You can even create a new email address for wedding-related matters using your new name.
However, it's important to note that you can't change some accounts but not others. Anything that has your Social Security Number (SSN) on it, such as your bank account, must match the name on your Social Security Card. This includes your driver's license, passport, birth certificate, and marriage certificate. Therefore, if you want to change your name on these documents, you'll need to go through the legal name change process.
Additionally, you may encounter confusion if people from your professional life interact with your personal life, as they may assume you have the same name across the board. It's also important to ensure that any cheques you receive for your wedding have your correct legal surname to avoid any issues with depositing them.
Ultimately, the decision to change your name socially or legally is a personal one, and you should do what feels comfortable for you.
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The name change process varies by state
In the US, the name change process varies by state. While some states require only an acknowledgement that a person's name is not being changed for fraudulent purposes, other states will not issue a court order if the new name appears to be unreasonably vulgar or frivolous.
In Texas, for example, residents can apply for a name change under Texas Family Code Chapter 45. This chapter defines the formal process for changing a legal name through the courts. An adult may request to change their name for any reason, except for reasons against the public interest.
In most states, you must file a petition with your local court to change your name. This may involve filing paperwork and appearing before a judge. You will need a certified copy of your marriage certificate, your updated Social Security Card, and a new driver's license and passport. You can then start changing your name with companies and services like your bank account, credit card, and payroll.
It is important to update your name with the Social Security Administration (SSA) before filing your tax return, as other agencies learn of name changes through the SSA. You should also report your name change to the State Department as soon as possible to get an updated passport.
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You need a court order to create an entirely new name after marriage
In the US, you must apply for a marriage license before getting married. Your new name will be reflected on your marriage certificate after you have applied for the license and gotten married. You can then use this certificate to change your name on other identity documents. However, if you want to create an entirely new name after marriage, the process may be different.
While the process of changing your name through marriage is relatively straightforward, it can be time-consuming and varies by state. Generally, you will need a certified copy of your marriage certificate, an updated Social Security Card, and a new driver's license and passport to begin changing your name with companies and services like your bank account, credit card, and payroll.
However, if you want to create an entirely new name after marriage, you may need to obtain a court order. Marriage name changes via a marriage certificate are typically limited to specific middle name and last name changes. For example, taking your spouse's last name or a combination of both your names. To change your first name or choose a different last name, such as a merged name or a family name unrelated to either spouse, a court order is often required.
The process of obtaining a court order for a name change will vary depending on your location. In some states, such as Texas, you may need to provide a marriage license or a marriage verification letter from the Department of State Health Services. In other states, you may need to file a petition with your local court, complete paperwork, and possibly appear before a judge. It is recommended to contact your local government or circuit court to learn about the specific requirements and process for legally changing your name.
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Frequently asked questions
No, it is not obligatory to change your name when you get married. It is a personal choice.
It is recommended to change your name on your Social Security card, driver's license, and passport all at once and back-to-back. However, there is no deadline for changing your name after marriage. You can start the process right away or wait until it makes sense for you.
You will need a certified copy of your marriage certificate, your updated Social Security card, and a new driver's license and passport.
First, obtain a certified copy of your marriage certificate. Then, change your name on your Social Security card, followed by your driver's license and passport. Finally, update your name with companies and services like your bank account, credit card, and payroll.
Yes, you can change your first name after marriage by obtaining a court order through your county courthouse.
