Can You Have Two Last Names After Marriage?

A hyphenated last name is when you and your spouse combine both of your last names with a hyphen (-), also known as a double surname. This is not the case for most couples, but there has been an increase in people choosing to keep their maiden name. Some couples choose to take their spouse’s last name without a hyphen, using their husband’s surname as their new surname.

After marriage, it is possible to have two last names. One common option is to put both of your last names together without a hyphen, such as Green and Rosen becoming Greenrosen. However, this doesn’t work as well with a hyphenated name, which is when you join two last names with a hyphen (-).

Some women prefer to use their husband’s surname as their new surname, which can change their identity and go against family traditions. If you want to create a new last name, you will need to petition the court for a legal name change.

When you marry someone with two last names, either one will take the other’s hyphenated surname in its entirety or both will merge their last names together. If you live in one of these states, you will need to get a legal name change and pay associated expenses.

You have the right to change your name after marriage legally, and you can remind your spouse of this if they are difficult to work with. In most states, you have the option to take your spouse’s last name, hyphenate your last name, use two last names without a hyphen, or move your maiden name to another last name.

Can I double barrel my surname after marriage?

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. To get 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. You can do this on your own or with a specialist agency. NameSwitch makes the process easy by saving you time. NameSwitch uses automation to create the forms and letters you need to change your details. Sign and mail them! Order several copies of your marriage certificate to speed up the process. As a member of Guides for Brides, you get £5 off any package. Enter GFBFIVE at checkout to get the discount.

Take the time to make a decision that feels right for you, and then let NameSwitch take care of the rest!

Can I change my surname?

How to change your name. You can change your name at any time, as long as you don’t intend to deceive or defraud anyone. Once you change your name, you can use it for all purposes. You must show proof that you have changed your name for most official purposes. It is not necessary, but it is a good idea to officially record the change of name with the Registrar General (see below).

Can you double barrel your surname after marriage?

Double-barreling your last name. If you’re getting married and want to double-barrel your surname, you can do this with your marriage certificate. If you combine the surnames Brown and Jones into Jones-Brown, this should be fine. If you add more elements to the name or middle names, you need a deed poll. Some companies and institutions may still have issues with double-barrelling. Applying for a passport first is a good idea. It’s cheaper and accepted by all UK companies. You only need one document to make all the changes.

Changing your names as an unmarried couple. Some couples change their names to look like they’re married without getting married. This is fine, as long as it’s not done for fraud. This won’t give you the legal rights of being married.

Can you take both last names after marriage?

You don’t need a court order to take your spouse’s last name or combine it with yours. If you want a new last name, you must follow a formal legal name change process. To change your name legally, follow these steps.

1. Choose your new name. In the U.S., you can choose a new name, but not completely. We must first determine if your proposed name change is legal. Here are the rules for changing your name: No rude names. You can’t change your name to something racist, obscene, or offensive. You can’t change your name to something that confuses people. Prince may have changed his name to a symbol, but it wasn’t legal. You can’t steal celebrity names. You can’t change your name to mislead or infringe on someone else’s rights. Taylor Swift has worked hard to earn her reputation. No one can try to take advantage of that by using her name. You can’t change your name to avoid legal obligations. You can’t change your name to commit a crime.

Are you still a Mrs after divorce?

If a woman keeps her married name after a divorce, she can be addressed as Mrs. or Ms. followed by her first name and married name. If she uses her maiden name, use Ms. with her first name and maiden name. Find out what she prefers.

• Mrs. Allison Chan
• Ms. Allison Chan
• Ms. Allison Lee (maiden name)

A widow keeps her husband’s name until remarriage. Address her invitations as Mrs. John Stanley or Mrs. Elizabeth Stanley. It’s best to ask before writing it down.

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 without hyphenating?

Can you have two last names without a hyphen? It’s similar to hyphenating, but without the hyphen. You can use either last name. You’ll still need to sign all paperwork with both last names. Each state has different laws about what is considered a marriage name. You may need to go through a court-ordered name change to have two last names without a hyphen. No way! Most spouses change their last name after marriage, but more are keeping their maiden name. Everyone has different reasons for taking on or not taking on a new last name. You and your spouse get to choose!

What are the general rules for double surnames?

Researchers find that there are many more surnames in some countries. In Spain and Spanish-American countries, each person has two surnames. The first surname is paternal and comes from the father, while the second is maternal and comes from the mother. Some countries let parents change the order of their children’s surnames, but in historical records, the father’s name comes first. Some Spanish records in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, New Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Texas use two surnames, but this varies by time period. The death certificate of Esperanza Hernández Rivera from Delicias, Chihuahua, Mexico, is a good example. The certificate uses the Spanish word for last name. Hernández is her father’s last name, and Rivera is her mother’s last name. The vocabulary used in records may vary. Researchers may see “paternal/maternal surname,” “first/second surname,” or “apellidos” in the plural. Esperanza’s father is Juan Hernández García, and her mother is Amalia Rivera Espinoza. The death certificate lists their surnames. Her parents’ surnames offer clues for researchers who want to trace this family back another generation. Juan inherited Hernández from his father and García from his mother, so the researcher knows the surnames of Esperanza’s grandparents. This can help find Juan’s birth record, which might be hard since Juan Hernández is a common name. Knowing that García is Juan’s mother’s last name helps researchers avoid confusing Esperanza’s father with another Juan Hernández. “Finado” in parentheses means they’re deceased.

Can you legally have two last names in the US?

Double surnames are legal but not customary. A double-barrelled name is a type of compound surname, with two words (or more) joined by a hyphen. Notable people with double-barrelled names include Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, Sacha Baron Cohen, and JuJu Smith-Schuster. There are several types of double surnames in Western tradition. If the two names are joined with a hyphen, it is also called a hyphenated surname. The word “barrel” may refer to the barrel of a shotgun or rifle. In British tradition, a double surname is inherited. It is usually taken to preserve a family name that would have become extinct. It is connected to the inheritance of a family estate. Examples include Harding-Rolls, Stopford-Sackville, and Spencer-Churchill.

Can you get married and have different surnames?

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. Tell your employer about any changes to your email address, payslips, etc. Tell your colleagues if you don’t plan to change your name to avoid awkwardly addressed cards and gifts!

Can married people have different last names?

A woman can keep her name or use her partner’s after marriage. There are no legal issues with either. More women today keep their last names, and more couples are open to alternatives.