Does Your Last Name Automatically Change After Marriage?

Changing your name after marriage or divorce is usually a simple process, with most states allowing it to be done automatically. To change your name, you need a certified copy of your marriage license (also known as a marriage certificate) with the raised seal. In South Africa, it takes about three or four months to change your surname at Home Affairs. If you prefer a change of surname after marriage, you can do it at the Department of Home Affairs or visit the Department of Home Affairs.

After marriage, it is your personal choice what your surname should be. You can choose to continue using your maiden name, take your husband’s surname, change to a double-barrelled surname, take your husband’s surname and make your maiden name a middle name, or “mesh” your name. In most states, your spouse can adopt your name if that’s what you both prefer. However, in general, you will need a court order if you and your spouse want to change your name without a court-ordered change.

Changing your name after marriage is quite easy. You must get proof of your entitlement to be known by a new name, which can be a marriage certificate issued by Births, Deaths and Marriages, or a legal marriage certificate in the USA, Canada, or UK.

Changing your surname to that of your partner does not change your marital status, legal rights, or legal rights. If you do nothing, your name will stay the same after marriage. A certified copy of your marriage certificate is required for proof of name change.

How do I change my name after I get married in the US?

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.

How do last names work in a marriage?

In most states, you can take your spouse’s last name, hyphenate it, use two last names without a hyphen, or move your maiden name to your middle name and take your spouse’s last name.

Know your name change options before your big day. What is a combined last name? A merged last name is a new last name made by combining your last name and your spouse’s last name. Let’s say Sally Smith and Greg Hammer are getting married.

Do guys change their last names when they get married?

A 2022 Zola survey found similar results. Of over 1,000 couples, only 19% planned to keep their own names, 8% planned to combine, and 2% planned for the man to take the woman’s name.

How do I change my status after marrying a US citizen?

It takes 10–23 months for a spouse of a U.S. citizen to adjust their status after marriage, and 13.5–20.5 months for a spouse of a U.S. green card holder. Boundless has a guide about how long it takes to get a green card through marriage. It takes 10–23 months from when your K-1 visa is approved to get a marriage green card, but it could be longer. The K-1 Fiance Visa approval timeline is 12.2 months, which makes the overall timeline much longer than it was historically.

Use this USCIS tool to check estimated times for other visa types.

Will last names be changing after the wedding?

Changing your name after marriage or divorce is usually easy. Most states let you change your name automatically after marriage or divorce. Follow these steps to change your name legally.

1. Choose your new name. In the U.S., you can choose a new name, but not absolutely. 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.

Do I have to change name on passport after marriage USA?

You don’t have to change your passport name right after getting married. US Customs and Border Protection says you can travel with proof of your name change (like a marriage certificate) and return to the US. Other countries may have different rules. Before you go, check entry requirements. Check online or with the U.S. Transportation Security Administration to find out what to do. If all your destinations accept a marriage certificate with your old passport, leaving your passport in your unmarried name is a good idea, especially if you have travel scheduled soon after your wedding (like a honeymoon). Passport processing times can be long.

What is the first thing you change when you get married?

If youve changed your name, this should be your first stop. Youll need your social security card to change your drivers license and youll need your drivers license to change everything else. It can take a few weeks to get your new card, so do this early.

What do I need to change when I get married?

Before you start, make sure you have all the right documents. Government ID. Driving license. Car registration. … Electricity provider. … Home phone. … Bank accounts. … Home insurance. … Loyalty (WH Smith, Nectar) Doctor.

What happens to last names after marriage?

Can I keep my name after marriage?. Before getting married, many people begin to ask themselves if when not changing their name after marriage is acceptable. When you marry you are free to keep your name or take your new partners name but one thing is clear—its absolutely your choice in most states and countries around the world. Its come down to a matter of preference and personal choice. *Many people keep their last name because they end up marrying later in life or their career is already at full speed and it could be risky—career-wise and financially speaking—to take the plunge and choose a completely new name (possibly seen as a new identity altogether). Personal branding is a powerful tool in todays society. In simple terms, name recognition brings power and many people just arent ready to give that up. *What do you call a married woman who keeps her maiden dame?. There are several options for what you, and those around you, can call you when you do decide to keep your maiden name after marrying. You can go by “Ms.” or use “Mrs.” as in “Mr. Jackson and Mrs. Smith.” You can also go by “Ms.” if youd prefer your title not to be associated with your marital status. The key thing to remember is that its your personal decision. Before making your decision, be sure to become familiar with the reasons why people change their name.

How do I change my name on my passport?

• For more information, go to our Change or Correct a Passport page. If you are changing your name within one year of the date your passport was issued, complete Form DS-5504. If you are changing your name over a year after your passport was issued, complete Form DS-82. *Travel.State.Gov U.S. Passports Passport Help Frequently Asked Questions about Passport Services *Find the answers to your questions in one of these categories: *General Questions
• Children (Under 16)
• Social Security Number Requirement
• U.S. Passport Card

Is there a deadline for name change after marriage in Texas?

Can I change my name after marriage? You can change your name after marriage without a time limit. Start the process soon after your wedding to avoid complications. Many couples start the process 1-2 months after marriage.

Will my signature change? Yes. Your new name will appear on checks and contracts. Your signature doesn’t have to change much, but signing with your new last name shows that you’ve changed your name. In a nutshell: Your Checklist for Changing Your Name After Marriage. You need to update your identity on several important documents and accounts after getting married. Here’s a checklist to help you change your name: