Changing Your Name After Marriage Isn’t Required: What to Know

Recent headlines about the SAVE Act are making a lot of people ask: Do you have to change your last name after marriage? The answer is no, changing your name after marriage isn’t required.

 

Related: Could a Name Change After Marriage Complicate Voting if SAVE Act Passes?

 

If you’re one of those people saying, “No thanks, I don't want to change my last name when I get married!”, you’re definitely not alone. For years, many women have chosen not to. And with the legalization of same-sex marriage, wider appreciation of gender identities, changes in child custody laws, and a more gender-neutral approach to marriage in general, the reasoning behind name changes has, well, changed.

 

Here’s a quick look at the facts around name change after marriage, and why you might – or might not – want to change yours. 

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Common Questions & Answers About Changing Your Name After Marriage

 

1. Do you have to change your name after marriage? 

 

No. As mentioned above, you are not legally required to change your last name when you get married. It is a personal choice whether to change your name at marriage in the United States. 

 

Put it another way: "Can I keep my name after marriage?"

 

Yep! You are free to keep your maiden name or individual surname when you get married. 

 

 

2. Can a man change his last name after marriage? 

 

Yes, a man can change his name after marriage if he wants to. This has become more common in the United States for several reasons, including more equality between genders and the legalization of same-sex marriage. 

 

 

3. Can a couple choose an entirely new last name when they get married? 

 

Yes, couples can choose an entirely new last name to share when they get married. Although it’s more common to adopt your spouse’s surname, or to hyphenate the two last names, some couples prefer to choose an entirely new last name to represent their new family. This type of name change requires a court order, not just a marriage license, and is a straightforward process.

 

 

4. Can you change your first name when you get married?

 

Yes. You can change your first name when you get married, although this is done with a court order, not a marriage license. 

 

 

5. Is there a time limit for name change after marriage?

 

No. There is no time limit or deadline for a name change after marriage. Your marriage license never expires, and you can provide this documentation any time should you wish to change your name. 

 

 

6. How much money does it cost to change your name?

 

How much it will cost to change your name after marriage depends on where you live and the type of name change order you’ll need. In general, it will cost a couple hundred dollars to change your name. Here are more details on the total cost: 

 

Some states allow you to change your last name on a marriage license, while others require a court order. You will need to pay for one or both of these documents depending on where you live. You are also required to pay any fees associated with updating your social security card, passport, and state-issued driver’s license or ID card to your new last name. You may also need to purchase additional certified copies of your marriage license and/or court order when processing these updates, and to change the name on any other personal accounts (i.e. banking, car insurance, etc).

 

 

7. What are the Pros & Cons of Name Change After Marriage? 

 

Now that you know a few of the basics, let’s lay out the pros and cons of changing your name when you get married. 

 

Pros: Benefits of a name change after marriage

 

The benefits of changing your name after marriage are personal, and can include a deeper feeling of unity with your spouse, easier identification as a family unit, and less potential paperwork as a parent. Traveling with a child that has a different last name often requires additional paperwork, such as bringing a copy of your child’s birth certificate with you to confirm your relationship when passing through security checkpoints.

 

Cons: Potential negatives of a name change after marriage

 

The drawbacks of changing your name after marriage are personal and can include a substantial amount of paperwork and stress to complete the process, financial costs (paying for court order and fees, etc.), emotional costs and loss of personal identity, loss of professional identity or brand recognition, and the potential end to a family surname if there are no other siblings to continue the name. 

 

Currently, attention has been drawn to legislation called the SAVE Act, which would require proof of citizenship when registering to vote, such as a passport or birth certificate. Voters' rights advocates have pointed out that because many married women change their last name, their current ID may not match their birth certificate, and could make this process more difficult. Updating their documents would take time and money, which could potentially cause complications for voting. This may be a potential downside for name change, depending on how the legislation progresses.

 

 

So, which option is right for you? It’s a personal choice, with various benefits and potential drawbacks. Weigh your needs, budget, and time to decide if a name change is right for you.

 

Related: What Wedding Officiants Need to Know About Name Changes, Wedding Customs, and Patriarchy

 

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