If you ask most people, they’d agree that getting married is a major life change. We’re not just talking about committing to sharing your life with someone else, although that is perhaps life’s biggest decision.
We’re also not discussing finding the best catering spots in town for a lavish spread for your wedding reception or who should be on your and your soon-to-be spouse’s wedding invitation list.
The change you’re going to learn about involves your last name, specifically your last name options after marriage. Some people eagerly await changing their last name to match their new spouse’s surnames. Others might feel personally indifferent, wanting to follow traditions. Additionally, other individuals feel a closer connection to their personal identity than marriage-related conventions.
The good news? You have several options to consider. Here’s an in-depth look at your name change options after marriage.
5 Last Name Options After Marriage
Before any major decision, knowing what choices you can make is a must. Considering that, there are more ways to change your last name than you might think. Here’s more information about your surname-related options after tying the knot.
1. Not Changing Your Name
The first option is also the simplest: doing nothing. You may not know this, but you’re under no obligation to change your surname after tying the knot. There’s no legal requirement for any married person to change their name post-marriage.
As society continues moving toward more progressive lifestyles, more are choosing to do away with traditions of the past. Not everyone feels comfortable giving up the last name they’ve had all their lives. Instead, they’d rather hold on to their personal identities and avoid any name change options after marriage.
Another reason to choose not to change your last name is because it requires little to no paperwork. Selecting this option still means you’re legally married without needing to change what’s on your debit cards, credit cards, driver’s license, passport, and other crucial accounts.
2. Adding on Your Spouse’s Surname
Another name change option after marriage is to hyphenate your and your spouse’s last names. This choice lets a person keep their current last name, hyphenating it with their new spouse’s surname.
If your name was Mary Johnson, and your new spouse was named Harry Williamson, taking his name would make you Mary Williamson-Johnson. In this case, your spouse also has the last name option after marriage to become Harry Williamson-Johnson.
You’ll sometimes see couples whose surnames carry considerable weight, such as celebrities, political figures, or names in the business world. In those cases, hyphenating last names is a popular option.
3. Taking Your Spouse’s Surname Is a Name Change Option After Marriage
A common option married couples choose is for one person to take their spouse’s last name. Imagine that John Smith marries Renee Williams. If Renee takes John’s surname, she will become Renee Smith. On the other hand, John Smith may choose to go by John Williams after marriage.
While this type of post-marriage name change option is common, it can create considerable work for the person changing their last name. Because of that, knowing what you signed up for is a smart idea. Unfortunately, in most cases, this surname change won’t happen automatically.
The Process of a Post-Marriage Name Change
The main document you’ll need to verify your new last name is a marriage certificate. It’s imperative to distinguish this certificate from a marriage license, which are two separate things. Married couples receive a marriage license before getting a certificate. The latter is used to confirm your last name option after marriage.
With this document ready, you can begin contacting appropriate companies and entities to let them know about your new surname. The first place to contact is the Social Security Administration (SSA). Fortunately, once the SSA has your new name on file, it automatically updates the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Companies and entities people typically inform after accepting a name change option after marriage include:
- Banks
- Credit unions
- Credit card providers
- Insurance companies
- Your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
4. Legally Choosing Your Spouse’s Last Name While Using Yours Professionally
For some people, their birth name is a major part of their professional-related identity. If so, choosing a name change option after marriage could damage someone’s career-related popularity.
In these situations, you could opt to legally change your last name to your spouse’s. However, in this case, you’d continue using your old surname professionally. Anyone who has built up a name for themselves as part of a business, in a government office, or elsewhere may not be as eager to give this for a partially new identity.
For example, Sarah Johnson owns a popular automobile dealership called Sarah Johnson Ford of Tampa. She’s getting married soon and wants to take her new husband’s surname, but doesn’t want to rename her business or lose this successful professional identity.
In this situation, Sarah could choose a post-marriage last name option of taking her husband’s last name or adding it to her current last name. Then, she would keep the name she has always used professionally: Sarah Johnson.
5. Changing Your Full Name Completely
While this name change option after marriage is the least common, you could use this union to change your name completely. Technically, adults are free to change their names at any time. However, your upcoming marriage could be an event you want to commemorate by transforming your first, last, or full name into something entirely new.
What Option Is Right for You?
Name changes are something everyone has the freedom to do. However, changing your name after getting married is something to think about significantly. Taking on a new last name is exciting, but prepare yourself for the time and effort it takes for a legal name change.
When you need certified copies of important documents, such as marriage certificates, birth certificates, and other vital documents, choose Vital Records Online (VRO). Trust VRO’s lightning-fast process to receive the records you need right away. We’ll walk you through every step of the certified certificate copy process.