Can You Double Barrel Your Surname After Marriage?

A survey conducted in November 2023 found that 25.3% of couples would double-barrel their surnames after marriage. This is a popular option for couples who want to nod to the couple’s surnames but don’t want to forgo their name entirely. Some couples adopt a double-barrelled surname, which works well if they both have short, easy-to-pronounce surnames like “Sullivan-Jones” or “Smith-Patel.”

A 2016 YouGov poll found that only 1% of men wanted to take their spouse’s surname upon marriage. However, reports suggest that this option is slowly growing in popularity. In German tradition, double surnames can be taken upon marriage, written with or without a hyphen, combining the husband’s surname with the wifes.

When double-barrelling your surname, you can use your marriage certificate as documentary evidence of your change of surname. Government departments, such as the DVLA and Passport Office, started accepting marriage certificates in 2005. Men traditionally do not change their surname upon marriage, but many men decide to either double-barrel their surname with their wife’s surname, take their wife’s surname, make their wife’s surname a middle name, or “mesh” their surname with their wife’s surname to make it easier.

In 1997, the Act allowed women to have a double-barrelled surname, allowing them to assume their spouse’s name after marriage or revert to their maiden name after divorce. Double-barrelling allows couples to retain both surnames or display their collective identity as a married couple through a deed poll.

Can a mother double-barrel my child’s surname?

Ask for a court order to double-barrel your child’s last name instead of replacing it. You’re not breaking the link to their other parent. You don’t have to use a hyphen and you can arrange the names in any order.

• Informally: By a written statement
• By deed poll – this can be used to change other official documents, like passports
• By changing the birth certificate

If you just want to call your child by another name, like their middle name or a nickname, you can start doing this any time. To make it official, you’ll need to go through a legal process. This page explains your options.

Can you go by your maiden name professionally?

1. Think about your options. You don’t have to take your spouse’s last name. I was surprised at the many choices. Keep your existing name. You can use both last names. You can take your spouse’s name, but use your former name only in work. Some states let you move your old name to your middle name and add your new last name. See? Your options aren’t simple. Do some research and decide which route you want to take. Think about your career and reputation. If you think this could be bad, think about it.

2. Make a list. I didn’t realize how many places my name was listed until I had to change it. Jotting down a list is helpful for ensuring you cover all your bases. Consistency is key with a change like this.

Is it possible to take your wife’s last name?

These 17 states let men take their wives’ last names without an order from the court: California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon. South Dakota. Other states and D.C. require a separate court order. Most men have to get a court order instead of relying on the marriage certificate.

Name Change via Court Petition. You can also change your last name without getting married. If your state requires a court order or you want to change your name without getting married, you can do this through a court order.

Can you double barrel your name after marriage?

7. Check if you need a deed poll. A marriage certificate lets you take your partner’s last name or your own. It also lets you use double-barrel surnames, with or without a hyphen, in any order you want. “A deed poll is needed if you want to create a new surname or add or remove a middle name,” says Cecile.

8. Tell your employer. Tell your employer about any name changes and how you will communicate professionally. You may need to tell your employer about changes to your email address, payslips, etc.

Can I use both my married and maiden name?

You can keep your maiden name for work or professional reasons and use your married name for social or family purposes.

Can a husband take his wife’s surname?

A man can take his wife’s last name after marriage. Some couples change their surnames to be more equal. Sometimes, the wife’s last name is a better fit for the couple. A man taking his wife’s surname is different from a woman taking her husband’s. When a woman takes her husband’s last name, she only needs a copy of the marriage certificate. But if a man takes his wife’s name, he files a deed poll. This lets him get all documents and records in his new name without problems or delays. The couple is now known by the same surname.

Other non-traditional choices upon marriage include double-barrelling or meshing surnames.

What are the disadvantages of having two last names?

Hyphenated names: You must use both. If you hyphenate your last name, you must use it all the time. … They’re long. … Kids can be tricky. Are you thinking about hyphenated names as a name change after marriage? Hyphenating names is less popular now than it was in the 1970s. Here are three reasons not to take both last names as a newlywed. New Spouse, New Name, New Journey: Embrace your new married life. Personalized name change services for every newlywed.

1. You must use both. If you hyphenate your last name, you must use it all the time. The dash is like crazy glue, keeping your names together forever, even if you’re tired of saying them both.

Can I have two last names after marriage?

How to hyphenate your last name. You can hyphenate your name regardless of your gender or marital status. Mary White and Lauren Holland will hyphenate their names when they marry. Mary could change her name to Mary White-Holland or Mary Holland-White, and Lauren could change her name similarly. You just have to decide which name sounds better before or after the hyphen. Hyphenating your name has pros and cons. If you’re debating whether to hyphenate your last name, consider these pros and cons. Pros: The best of both: You can keep your birth name and add your partner’s. Professional identity: Hyphenation is a practical way to keep your name known. It’s also easier to trace your ancestry. Genealogists will be able to trace your lineage. If you have children together, your surname will carry on for at least another generation. Online forms: Some databases won’t allow a space between two last names, but they’ll recognize a hyphenated name.

Can I give my child two last names?

Give your baby two last names. Pros: Some families give their child both parents’ last names, separated by a hyphen. If you don’t like hyphens, you can leave them out. If you don’t like the idea of your child having their father’s last name, you can choose another option. As families change, so does the practice of giving your baby a last name. Mothers keep their maiden names, husbands take their wives’ names, same-sex partners take each other’s names or make up new ones, and some couples don’t get married. There are many ways to name your baby. One option is to hyphenate your child’s name. We’ve listed several popular options with pros and cons and thoughts from other parents.

What is the alternative to a double-barrel surname?

Is there another way to combine surnames? If you want a new collective identity with your spouse but don’t think your surnames work well together, you could consider “meshing.” This is a new way to combine your two surnames into one. You can choose which parts of your surnames to combine to create a new, unique identity for your family. If you want to go the “meshing” route, you’ll need to create your new name via deed poll. A deed poll is a legal document that lets you give up an old name and use a new one. One of you could change your name via deed poll before the wedding so it appears on your marriage certificate. How do you get a double-barrelled surname? If you take your partner’s name after marriage, your wedding certificate proves you can adopt a new name and apply for a new passport. This is the same for double-barrelled surnames. If you want a double-barrelled or hyphenated name, just show your marriage certificate to get your ID and records updated. Then tell any other organizations you need to.

Can I give my child a double-barrel surname?

Can I double-barrel my child’s last name? Yes. You can choose to give your child a double-barrelled name when they are born, even if you and the other parent are not married. You can even give them your parents’ surnames. It’s up to you! If your child is not a newborn, don’t worry. You can change their surname! This is common in blended families. If this is the case for you, you’ll need to get a Child Deed Poll done for them if they’re under 16. You need permission from all the adults who are the child’s parents to change the child’s name after birth. To find out who has parental responsibility, read our FAQs.

What are the rules for double-barrelled names?

In 2017, Finland made it easier to have two last names. A double name can be formed when marrying or having children. It combines the surnames of the spouses or parents. You can combine double names by taking one part of each. Either spouse or both can take a double name. Based on a family’s foreign name tradition, children can get surnames based on their grandparents’ surnames. The former law from 1985 allowed children to take their spouses’ surnames and use their own as a hyphenated prefix. However, their children did not get double surnames. Many same-sex couples have hyphenated each other’s names upon marriage. For example, Joe Bishop-Henchman, an American attorney and former chair of the Libertarian National Committee, changed his surname from Henchman to Bishop-Henchman upon marrying his husband Ethan Bishop.

China Chinese surnames are usually one character. Some families now combine their parents’ surnames to create new names. The Changchien clan in Taiwan is an example of a notable double-barrelled surname. This is different from having a Chinese compound surname.