Getting married soon?

Do you have to take your husband’s name?

No. Although wives have traditionally assumed the husband’s name, this is a social custom, not a legal requirement. If you choose to assume your husband’s name, you will still sign the marriage documents in your present legal name – the same name that appears on the marriage license. But you have other options.

Keep your own name

Take your husband’s name

Your husband can even adopt your name or

Change both your names to a hyphenated version to create a brand new name

Consider what name feels best for you. Make sure you are happy with your choice of name before you change any records.

If you want to take your husband’s name here is what you need to do. Be sure to change your name on all of your identification, accounts, and important documents.

Driver’s License

Credit Cards

Social Security

Passport

Insurance Policies

Employment Records

Bank records

Voter Registration

Vehicle Registration

Investments

Mortgage Company

This is just a start. Start early to create a list of all of the different companies, organizations etc, that you get correspondence from. These are all places you should inform of your name change, after the wedding.

To change some of your identification papers – your social security card – for example, you must obtain a certified copy of the marriage certificate from the county in which the license was purchased.

After the marriage, the couple should notify employers, and certain governmental of financial agencies of the change in marital status. However, some agencies may require a certified copy of the marriage record. You will need to show a certified copy of your marriage certificate (usually around $3 a copy) to change your name for most of the following agencies/ purposes:

Driver’s licenses, social security, immigration, passport, military, employer, bank, mortgage company, landlord, retirement plan, creditcard, insurance (car, homeowners, renters, life, etc), college, vehicle registration, voter registration.