Updates After Marriage

When you get married, you are not required to change your name. You have a right to keep your name. If you decide to change your name, you can:

•Take your spouse's name
•Create a combination of your name and your spouse's name
•Create a completely new name.

After you change your name, you should update your records with people, businesses and government agencies which need to know your new name.

Common usage.

A wife can take her husband's last name by consistently using the new name after the marriage. This is called the common usage method, and no formal legal action is required. This method should only be used by a wife who wishes to adopt her husband's last name. For any other type of name change, you should get a court order. If you choose the common usage method, you should take the following actions:

•Make sure your new name is on your marriage certificate.
•Get a new driver's license and Social Security card with your new name. The Department of Motor Vehicles and the Social Security Administration will probably want to see your marriage certificate as proof of your new name.
•Update your records.

Contact your employer, bank, creditors, insurers, telephone company, and any other entity with whom you do business, and inform them of your new name. In addition, you should notify government agencies, such as your local post office and state and local taxing authorities.

You can go to court to change your name. The legal process is simple and inexpensive. You can hire a lawyer to change your name, or you can do it yourself. If you decide to do it yourself, you may want to start by calling your local city or county courthouse for instructions. In the alternative, you can learn about the process online or at a law library. Most states post instructions and legal forms on the Internet. After you obtain a court order changing your name, you should:

•Get a new driver's license and Social Security card with your new name. The court order is proof of your new name.
•Update your records. Contact the same businesses and government agencies listed above under the common usage method.