Historically, women were expected to take their husbands' names after marriage. Today, people have several legal options for changing their names after marriage. You may choose to:
- take your spouse's last name
- keep your own last name
- hyphenate your last name with your spouse's
- change your family name to your middle name (in some states), or
- ask for a new name through a court order.
Changing Your Name With a Marriage Certificate
Changing your name after marriage is completely optional. If you take no action, your last name will stay the same. If you choose to change your name to some combination of your and your spouse's current or birth names, you can typically use your marriage certificate as a legal name change document.
The exact name change process varies by state. First, you'll likely need to apply for a marriage license. Then you'll have a marriage ceremony. After the ceremony, you'll officially record your marriage with the government office where you got the marriage license and receive a certified copy of your marriage certificate.
The first place to update your name after marriage is with the Social Security Administration (SSA). You can do this with your marriage certificate and proof of your identity and citizenship at your local SSA office. You can then use your new Social Security card to change your name on your driver's license, U.S. passport, and other important documents and personal accounts.
Changing Your Name Through a Court Order
If you want to change your first name or create a new last name, you'll need to obtain a court-ordered name change. The court process usually involves filing a petition, paying fees, publishing a notice of the name change in the newspaper, and attending a court hearing. Many state courts provide online forms you can use with filing instructions.
Once you’ve received a court order granting your name change request, you’ll go through the same process of updating your identity documents and personal accounts with a certified copy of the order.
Next Steps
Changing your name after marriage is a personal decision with legal and practical considerations. Whether you choose to take your spouse’s name, hyphenate, keep your own, or explore other options, understanding your state’s laws and the required steps is essential.
If the process feels overwhelming, consider using a name-changing service like NewlyNamed. These services provide auto-filled forms to save you time and reduce name change stress. Prices vary, but most packages range from $35-$125.
You can also talk to a lawyer if you'd like more information or guidance.