When Should You Change Your Name After Marriage?

Changing your name after marriage or divorce is a common tradition dating back to ninth-century English common law. Most states allow you to automatically make the change after getting married or after getting divorce. To change your name, you need to obtain a marriage certificate, which is issued by the vital statistics office in the province or territory where the marriage took place. In Canada, this document can be applied for online or by mail. If you have a British passport, you will need to update your name with the Passport Office. To change your name, you’ll need to complete the “name change” section of the application form, which can be found on the passport website.

In Canada, the name on your birth certificate (your legal name) won’t change, but you can change to your married name for other documents (driver’s license, credit cards, etc.) as long as you will be using one of the accepted surnames. Your marriage or civil partnership certificate does not indicate the surname you’ll have after the ceremony, yet you can use it to prove you have changed your name.

To change your name after marriage, you need to obtain a new Social Security card and a new drivers license or state ID card. Most states allow you to automatically make the change after getting married or after getting divorce. There are no hard deadlines or time limits for changing your name after marriage, so you don’t have to immediately update your social security card or drivers license.

Is it better to change name after marriage?

• Every member of your family will have the same surname and itll make your life easier when you have kids. Going on trips and dealing with kindergartens or schools will be a lot simpler when you adopt your husbands name.
• Taking your spouses name can help you feel more confident and connected with each other. Moreover, changing your maiden name can be an official sign of the commitment youve made to each other.
• Changing your last name may help you avoid a lot of misunderstandings. Dont forget that most people will associate you with your husband and if you have the common last name, itll make your life more harmonious and you can skip some confusion and unpleasant situations.

When Shouldnt I Change My Name After Marriage?. According to the study, about 20 percent of brides prefer to keep their maiden name when they get married and they have reasons not to change their last name. Are you sure that you dont have a reason to keep your family name?

You Dislike His Surname. In case when you dont like your spouses name, itd be better to keep your one. Remember, a good husband will always excuse you from taking his last name if it sounds confusing with your first name or its just a clunky surname.

What do I need to change when I get married?

Page 1Before you start make sure you have all the correct documents in place, be it your marriage certificate, deed poll or decree absolute and other documents. Government.Driving licence. Car registration. … Electricity provider. … Home phone account. … Bank accounts. … Home / contents insurance. … Loyalty (WH Smith, Nectar) … Doctor.

What to change when you get married?

Post-Wedding Legal Considerations & ChecklistA Note on Name Changes. … Acquiring Your Marriage Certificate. … Updating Your Social Security Card. … Obtaining a New Drivers License or State ID. … Applying for a New Passport. … Updating Your Bank Accounts. … Informing Your Creditors. … Telling Your Employer.

Marriage is an exciting and special time for couples, but some of the things one should consider after getting married are less exciting and more practical than others. Below are a few legal and practical considerations for couples after their wedding day, especially if one or both people are changing their names.

If you are changing your last name, you should know that there is no official deadline before which you must make the switch. However, you may want to consider the timing of your name change. If you have already booked travel reservations using your old name, you might want to start the name change process after you return from your trip. This is because you could face difficulties traveling, especially flying, if the name on the identification you use, like your passport, does not match the name on your travel reservations and tickets. You might also want to avoid changing your name around tax season for a similar reason — the name on your tax documents should match the name on your Social Security card. Delaying your name change should not prevent you from filing taxes jointly if you wish, so long as your names match.

You should also be aware that many states impose a few restrictions on how you can change your last name by using a marriage certificate. Typically, you will be able to change your last name to your spouse’s, hyphenate both surnames, or change your middle name to your maiden name. You will probably need to obtain a court order to change your last name to an entirely new name or to change your first name. If this is the case for you, you can generally use the court order as proof of your name change in the way that you would your marriage certificate.

Is it normal to change your name after marriage?

Changing to your partners name. In the past it has been usual for a bride to take the grooms name once married. Recently this has extended to husbands taking a wifes name to continue a family name, and also same sex couples choosing one partners name to keep. We recommend having a discussion with your partner before the big day to ensure your name expectations are the same for after marriage. But if you do decide to take your partners name, you do not need to change your name with deedpoll. Just get in touch with the relevant authorities (see our list) and supply your marriage certificate and it is done.

Double-Barrel Names. This can be a slightly more complex decision if both partners decide to change their name. If one partner wants to double-barrel their surname, they will often just need to inform relevant bodies by sending the marriage certificate and state your new chosen surname. Be sure to include which order you want the names in and whether it is hyphenated or not.

However, if the name change is not straightforward (e.g. both partners wish to change name), you may need to change your name by deed poll. If you do need to do this, then its recommended that one partner change their name before the wedding then the other partner can simply use the marriage certificate to update their details as a simple name change as it will be a straightforward name change to partners name. If this is your choice, be sure to leave enough time for the process and to order new passports if you are booking a foreign honeymoon.

How to write wife name after marriage?

It depends on your preference. Typically, brides who change their last name after the wedding go by Mrs. since it indicates they share the same last name as their husband (i.e. Mr. and Mrs. Wong).

You can also go by Ms. if youd prefer your title not to be associated with your marital status. If youre keeping your maiden name, you have options: You can go by Ms. or even use Mrs.

Ms. does not necessarily mean someone is divorced, although it is an appropriate title for someone who is divorced. Ms. can also be used for a married woman who chooses not to disclose her marital status or an older single woman.

It is okay to use Ms. instead of Mrs. if youre unsure of a womans marital status or her age. However, in certain situations it wouldnt be appropriate to use Ms. instead of Mrs., such as if a woman is a widow that is keeping the Mrs. title. Thats why its important to find out as much information as you can before committing to a title.

Is there a deadline to change name after marriage in the UK?

How Long Do You Have to Change Your Name After Marriage?. After reading our above guide, you might be feeling a little overwhelmed. Its true – changing your name after marriage can be a hassle.The good news, however, is that there is no time limit to changing your name once you get married. It isnt a case of ‘you must change your name within a certain timeframe.After you get married, you can wait as long as you like before officially changing your name. You can even start going by your married name socially – for example, on Facebook – long before you update it legally. If you want to, you could wait months or even years!The only rule is that once you have made the decision to officially change your name – whenever that may be – you must tell the authorities (HMRC, DVLA, local authority, employer, etc) straight away. And once youve done that, its best to inform everywhere else as soon as you can, to avoid confusion. But before making the switch, you can take as long as you want to think it over.

Which last name goes first when married?

What are examples of hyphenated last names?. When it comes to hyphenated last names, which goes first? Generally, there are no set rules or etiquette when it comes to deciding exactly how your hyphenated last name will read. You can go the traditional route and list your maiden name first, or you could choose to list your new last name first, followed by your original last name. Some couples decide to have both partners change to the hyphenated last name, as a show of unity and equality. But can you have two last names while your partner only has one? Absolutely. Lets look at an example:

Suppose Alex Atkinson marries Taylor Lloyd. They could change their name(s) in the following ways:

• Alex Atkinson-Lloyd
• Alex Lloyd-Atkinson
• Taylor Atkinson-Lloyd
• Taylor Lloyd-Atkinson

How long after marriage should you change your name?

Once you are married, you can change your name to your spouses name at any time you want—immediately or months or years later. Whenever you do it, your marriage certificate is the proof you need to show.

Changing your name after marriage: other situations. Sometimes when changing their name after marriage, a couple may decide they both want to change their names to an entirely new last name or combination of their previous names. In that instance, each spouse will need to file a formal name change petition with a local court.

It is important to understand that if your marriage ends, your name remains the same unless you take steps to change it.

Can I take my husband’s first name?

Many people believe that in a marriage one spouse is required tolegally change their last nameto match the other spouses last name. Today, that is simply not the case. Anyone is free to keep their own name, hyphenate their name with a spouses name, take their spouses name, or come up with a completely different name altogether. As long as the name change isnt done criminally or fraudulently, any of these options would constitute a legal name change.

Legally changing your name after marriage can include any of the following:

• Changing your name to your spouses last name
• Changing your name to something other than your spouses last name
• Informing people of your new name

Should I take my husband’s last name?

However, this is no longer the case (fortunately). While the majority of women still choose to take their husbands name, its merely done for reasons of tradition.

And nowadays, many women choose not to take their husbands names at all. Surveys suggest that up to 20% of women choose to keep their maiden names when they get married. And many other women will choose to add their husbands name to their own, creating a double barrelled name. Still others will take their husbands name, but keep their maiden name as a middle name.Today, well discuss your options for changing your name when you get married. Well discuss the advantages and disadvantages of keeping your maiden name or changing it.

What Marriage Name Change Options Are There?. Long gone are the days when women had no choice but to take her husbands name as soon as she said “I do”. Nowadays, its completely up to you. And you have are a wide array of choices when it comes to what to do with your name.

• Dont change your name at all. Keep your maiden name, and simply change your title to Ms or Mrs instead of Miss.• Take your husbands name and get rid of your former surname entirely.• Take your husbands name, but keep your maiden name as a middle name. For example, if you were Sue LOVE marrying John SMITH, you would be Sue Love SMITH.• Double-barrel your name with your husbands. Using the above example, youd be Sue LOVE-SMITH (with or without a hyphen).• Mesh your name with your husbands name. This is something youd both do together. For example, if your last names are Hudson and Thomas, you could become Mr and Mrs Thomson.• Choose an entirely new name. Both you and your husband could pick an entirely new name for your new family, that is nothing like your former names.

What are the disadvantages of not changing your name after marriage in the UK?

Potential Family Confusion. Not changing ones name after marriage in the UK can lead to potential family confusion. This decision often goes against social norms and traditional expectations, which can result in misunderstandings and miscommunications within the family.

As each family member may have different perspectives on this matter, it is crucial to consider the broader implications of this choice on your family life and relationships.

Childrens Surname Dilemma. One of the most significant challenges faced by couples who do not change their name after marriage is the childrens surname dilemma. When children have a different surname than their mother, it can lead to confusion and misunderstandings, especially in situations involving school, medical care, and travel. Parents must decide whether to give their children their fathers surname, mothers surname, or a hyphenated combination of both, weighing the practical implications and emotional attachments associated with each option.

Can I keep my last name and add my husband’s?

Can I keep my last name and add my partners?. This, again, is your personal choice and comes down to what you, and often your new spouse, decide together. It may be advantageous to hyphenate your name adding your spouses afterward, but no one can say for absolute certain. Many new spouses choose hyphenation because it may seem to them to be the “best of both worlds,” since they wont lose their own name (personal brand) and they have the opportunity to use their spouses at the same time.. Weve put together a useful guide that will tell you exactly what it takes to change your name.

Why is it important to take your partners last name?. Its interesting to note that in a series of Google Consumer Surveys, the New York Times reported that over 70% of women in the United States chose to take their spouses last name. As mentioned above, a spouses last name can be important for many factors and not just as a status symbol in society. Many recently married spouses make this decision because it solidifies the connection and commitment between the couple. Simply put, it is a gesture that leaves no room for doubt.

How do you legally change your name after marriage?. The process to legally changing your name after marriage is quite simple if you have all of your documents gathered in advance.