Can You Legally Change Your Last Name Without Marriage?

Can you change your last name without getting married? Yes, if you follow the same legal procedures as before. The most common reason not to change your name is if it’s to defraud someone. However, you can change your last name without getting married or divorcing if you follow your state’s name change procedure and follow all the rules and requirements.

To legally change your last name after marriage, you must complete the Election to Change Surname – Form 1, which applies to both legally married and common-law relationships. There is no fee to submit this type of application provided you do so within 90 days of being married or of filing a joint declaration of. In Pennsylvania, you can change your last name through marriage by specifying your new name on your marriage license application.

After marriage, you are not required to complete a legal change of name to use your spouse’s last/family name. Under Section 3 of the Name Act, you may continue to use your current last/family name, your spouse’s last/family name, or a combination of both. The legal name change process includes asking the court to use a new name by submitting a name change request.

There are four types of legal name changes available: Adult Surname (with or without given name), Adult Given Name (only), Child Surname (with or without given name), and Child Given Name (only). To legally change your own name, you must be 16 years of age or older.

The process of changing your name through marriage, divorce, or a court order can vary between states. If you only want to change your surname, you can skip Step 4 (Notice) and notify the Social Security Administration, the Department of Health, and other relevant authorities.

Can you make up your own last name?

You could create a new last name. Maybe you don’t like your last name and want a new one. To change your name, follow your state’s legal guidelines and get the new name approved in court. You have many options to consider! What are the pros of combining last names? You can create a new identity together. It’s a union with equal weight. When you merge two names, you’re not taking someone else’s name. You’re establishing that you’re equal partners. You can honor both family names. You can also buck societal norms of taking your husband/wife/partner’s last name. What are some reasons to not combine last names? You’ll probably have to visit your county courthouse to change your name (a long process). Both spouses will have to change their names after marriage. You may break or weaken a family tradition. You’ll probably hear about it from family. If you have kids, it might be hard to change their birth names. You might have trouble at work if your last name is linked to your business.

Can you change your name and not get married?

You can change your last name without getting married or divorced if you follow the rules and requirements.

Can you choose your own surname?

Changing your last name. You can change your surname at any time, as long as you don’t have any criminal intent. You can assume any surname you want, in addition to or instead of your existing one. You can change your name as many times as you want.

The law that allows you to change your surname. People have always been able to change their surnames. This was because:

How do you change your name on a passport?

For more info, see our Change or Correct a Passport page. If you are changing your name within a year of getting your passport, fill out Form DS-5504. If you changed your name more than a year after your passport was issued, use Form DS-82.

Travel.State.Gov U.S. Passports Passport Help Frequently Asked Questions about Passport Services.

Find answers to your questions in one of these categories:

General Questions; Children (Under 16); Social Security Number Requirement; U.S. Passport Card.

Can I just change my surname?

You need to fill out Form B1-196 from the Department of Home Affairs. Form B1-196 is for changing your surname. You can also download the form online. DHA B1-196 Application Form. On the form, you must give a reason for changing your name. You also need to submit Form DHA-9, the full fingerprint form. You can get this form at Home Affairs or police stations. You also need to submit your birth certificate with both parents’ names. If your father’s name isn’t on the birth certificate, he might need to submit an affidavit explaining why you were born, that you’ve lived with him since grade 3, and that he wants you to take his last name.

How to unhyphenate a last name?

If you hyphenate your last name, you can’t change it later without a court order. There are many reasons to hyphenate your last name, but there are also some things to think about. Hyphenating Last Name: Pros and Cons Pros of hyphenating. You keep your name! Hyphenating your last name lets you keep your identity while accepting your spouse. Your friends, colleagues, and clients will still know you after your last name change. Keep your professional identity. Hyphenating can be great if you use your last name for work. Are you a doctor, lawyer, business owner, or have an advanced degree? If so, you may want to keep your last name. Hyphenation lets you do this. It honors your family legacy. Hyphenating is also a good option if you have a common last name or if you are the last to carry on your family name.

Can you change your last name without getting married in Canada?

Change your last name legally. If you don’t want to take your spouse’s last name and want to change yours, you’ll need to apply for a legal name change.

Go back to your previous last name. If you changed your last name due to marriage or a relationship, you can change it back by filling out Form 2. This service is only available if you legally changed your last name using the old Election to Change Surname service. When you change your name back, you get a certificate and a new birth certificate. You can use these documents to update other government documents.

Can I change my last name without getting married in Texas?

How to change your name legally in Texas. To change your name without a recent marriage or divorce, you need a court order. File an original petition and an order to change your name. How to get a legal name change in Texas after marriage. If you want to change your name after getting married, you can usually do it when you file for your marriage license. However, contact your county clerk as each county has different processes and rules. Your marriage certificate is your main legal document for changing your name. After you get married, file your marriage license at the courthouse. You’ll get a certified copy of your marriage certificate by mail in about two weeks. Use the certified copy of your marriage certificate to change your name. If you don’t have your marriage certificate, use the Marriage Certificate Request Letter.

How do you get a new last name?

Will the process be different if I choose a new last name? Yes. “To create a new last name, you must get a court order from your county courthouse,” says Christensen. Once you have the court order, you can follow the steps in this article.

Can I remove my last name?

Court order. To change your name, you must file a petition with your local court. You may need to file paperwork and appear before a judge to change your name. Find your local government website and contact your circuit court to learn how to legally change your name. Notify government agencies when you change your name. Show these federal and state agencies that you changed your name by providing certified copies of your marriage and divorce certificates or name change orders.

Have a question? Ask a real person any government question for free. They’ll help you find the answer.

Can you marry your own last name?

When you marry, you can keep your name or take your husband’s. This is true for same-sex and opposite-sex marriages. Your spouse can adopt your name instead.