George Boyle
The presence of a new name on a wedding certificate depends on the state in which the marriage took place. In 36 states, marriage license applications do not ask for a new married name, resulting in certificates only listing the current and maiden name. However, 14 states allow individuals to specify a new name on the application. If the new name choice is left blank in these states, the certificate will not include a married name. In California, if a new name is not chosen during the application, a court order is required to change it. While a marriage certificate with the maiden name is generally accepted, some individuals may face challenges when applying for a passport or making name-related changes.
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What You'll Learn
Marriage certificate with maiden name
A marriage certificate will most likely show the legal names of both spouses at the time of their marriage. This means that, in most cases, a marriage certificate will contain a person's maiden name and not their new name. This is because, in 36 states, marriage license applications do not ask for a new married name. Marriage certificates in these states will therefore only list a person's current and maiden name.
However, in 14 states, you can specify a new name on the application. If you leave this field blank, your certificate won't show a married name, but you may still have options. For example, you can ask the clerk who recorded your marriage license to amend your certificate with your new name. They have wide discretion, and amendments are typically for typos, but some might be willing to make a slight edit. If the clerk denies your request, you can escalate to the head clerk. If default options don't work and amending your marriage certificate isn't possible, your only remaining option is to petition the court for a legal name change.
If your marriage certificate specifically indicates that you chose not to change your name after marriage, then you will need to obtain a court order before you can begin the name change process.
It's worth noting that, in 47 states, you can change your middle name through marriage, and in a handful of states, you can even change your first name.
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Changing name after marriage
In the US, the process of changing your name after marriage varies between states. Before getting married, you must apply for a marriage license. After applying for the license and getting married, your new name will be reflected on your marriage certificate. However, marriage license applications in 36 states do not ask for a new married name, so the marriage certificate will only list your current and maiden name.
In most states, your marriage certificate serves as legal proof that you are authorized to change your name, regardless of whether your new name is displayed or not. If you married in a state that lets you specify a new name on the marriage application but left it blank, you can still take your spouse's last name or hyphenate their name with yours. California is the exception—if you didn't specify a new name when applying, a court order is required to change it.
To change your name after marriage, you will need to contact a few government agencies. While the process varies by state, you will generally need the following pieces of identification:
- Marriage certificate
- Social Security Card
- Driver's license
- Birth certificate
- Passport
It is recommended to get numerous certified copies of your marriage certificate to help with the name-change process. Your next step is to change your name on your Social Security Card. You should notify the Social Security Administration (SSA) early on, as other agencies learn of name changes through the SSA. Having an updated license or state ID will make changing your name with other agencies easier.
You can also change your name socially without going through the legal process. This involves introducing yourself with your new name and changing your emails and social media presence.
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Marriage license and new name
In the US, the process of changing your name through marriage varies between states. Marriage license applications in 36 states don't ask for a new married name, so the marriage certificate will only list your current and maiden name. However, in 14 states, you can specify a new name on the application. If you get married in one of these 14 states and leave the new name choice blank, your certificate won't show a married name, but you may still have options. These 14 states include California, New York, and Nevada, which let you mix and match names in multiple ways.
If your marriage certificate indicates that you chose not to change your name after marriage, you will need a court order to change your name. If you are changing your name, it is important to notify federal and state agencies, such as the Social Security Administration (SSA), the motor vehicle office, and the State Department. An updated license or state ID will make changing your name with other agencies easier. You will also need to notify your bank account, credit card, and payroll providers.
To change your name on your passport, you will need to submit a certified copy of your marriage certificate, an updated Social Security card, and a new driver's license. However, some people have reported issues getting their name changed on their passport, even with these documents. In these cases, a court order may be required to prove your new name.
It is important to note that your legal name is still your maiden name until you change it with the relevant government agencies. When travelling, it is generally recommended that your passport and boarding pass match, even if you have started using your new married name.
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Notifying government agencies
The process of changing your name after marriage varies between countries and states. In the US, your marriage certificate serves as legal proof that you're authorised to change your name. In 36 states, marriage license applications do not ask for a new married name, so marriage certificates will only list your current and maiden name. However, in 14 states, you can specify a new name on the application. If you married in a state that lets you specify a new name on the marriage application but left it blank, you can still take your spouse's last name or hyphenate. California is the exception—if you didn't specify a new name when applying, a court order is your only path to change it now.
To change your name with government agencies, you will need to notify the Social Security Administration (SSA) first. All government agencies in the US link to the SSA database, so if your name change isn’t registered with them, other government offices will not allow you to change your name. You will need to file paperwork and appear before a judge to complete the process. You will also need to contact your state's motor vehicle office. Having an updated license or state ID will make changing your name with other agencies easier.
In the UK, you can apply to change your name in the Land Register following marriage or civil partnership by downloading and filling in an AP1 form. If your marriage occurred outside the UK and your certificate is not in English, you must send a verified translation of the certificate.
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Changing name before marriage
In the United States, the process of changing one's name before marriage involves several steps and varies depending on the state. Here is a general guide on how to change your name before marriage:
Contact the Local Government:
Reach out to the local government in the state where you plan to get married to understand the specific requirements for applying for a marriage license and changing your name. The process may differ across states, so it's important to obtain accurate information for your specific location.
Apply for a Marriage License:
Before getting married, you must apply for a marriage license. This license will be used to obtain your marriage certificate after the wedding ceremony. In some states, the marriage license application may allow you to specify your new name, while others may not include this option. Check with your local government to understand the format of the marriage license application in your state.
Obtain a Certified Copy of Your Marriage Certificate:
After your wedding, obtain a certified copy of your marriage certificate, which will serve as legal proof of your name change. In most states, this certificate authorizes you to change your name, regardless of whether your new name is displayed on it. However, in certain states like California, if you want to choose a new name and don't specify it on the marriage license application, you may need a court order to make the change.
Update Your Social Security Card:
Once you have your certified marriage certificate, the next step is to update your Social Security Card with your new name. This step is crucial, as other agencies and government departments learn of name changes through the Social Security Administration (SSA). Notify the SSA early to avoid discrepancies.
Update Your Driver's License and Passport:
Proceed to update your driver's license and passport with your new name. Having an updated license or state ID will make it easier to change your name with other agencies. Additionally, if you need to travel or provide identification, having a current passport with your new name is essential.
Notify Other Agencies and Organizations:
After your legal name change is in place, you can start updating your name with various companies and services, such as your bank account, credit card, payroll, and social media accounts. It is important to notify all relevant agencies and organizations to ensure consistency and avoid any issues or confusion.
Remember that the specific process and requirements may vary depending on your state of residence. Always refer to the guidelines provided by your local government for the most accurate and up-to-date information on changing your name before marriage.
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Frequently asked questions
In most states, your certificate serves as legal proof that you're authorised to change your name, no matter what it does or doesn't show. If your certificate has your maiden name, you can still take your spouse's last name or hyphenate. However, in California, if you didn't specify a new name when applying, a court order is the only way to change it.
You can change your middle name through marriage in 47 states, and in a handful of states, you can even change your first name.
If your marriage certificate specifically indicates that you chose not to change your name after marriage, then to change your name, you will need to obtain a court order.
In 14 states, you can specify a new name on the marriage application. These states tend to offer more creative name combination choices.
