How to get last name change after marriage

Q: How do I change my name after marriage in NC?

Youll need a certified copy of your marriage license in order to change your name on your drivers license and your Social Security card. Wait at least 10 (TEN) days after the ceremony is performed to allow sufficient time for your license to be returned to the Register of Deeds.

Q: How do I change my last name after marriage in NY?

You cant change your first name by marriage. The new middle and last names are officially yours when the marriage ceremony is completed. Your marriage certificate is proof of your new name and can be used to change your name on other identification papers such as your drivers license.

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Before you start

You can only use this process if you're changing your middle or last name to your spouse's name or some combination of both your names.

You can't use this process to change:

Your first name
Your name after you are married

In those cases, you'll likely need a court order to change your name.

Check if you can list the name you want to change to on a marriage license
You can only add a new middle or last name to your marriage license if the name is related to your or your spouse's current or former name. For example, you want to change your last name to your spouse's last name. Or, you want to combine your last names.

You can change your last name to
- Your spouse's last name
- One of your last names at birth
- A name combining all or a part of the current last name (or the last name of either spouse at birth) into a single last name
- A combination of your last names
You can change your middle name to
- Your spouse's last name
- Your or your spouse's last name at birth
- A combination of the current middle name and the current last name of the person or spouse
If you want to change your name to something else, you'll need to do you will need to go through a legal name change process.
Get more information about what names you can add from the California Department of Public Health.
Get marriage license issued
List the new middle or last name you want on your marriage license application. Turn in your application at the County's Registrar's Office. The clerk will issue the license. It is good for 90 days.

Find out more about how to get a marriage license.
You can't add the name to your marriage license after you're married.
If you don't include a new name when you apply for a marriage license, you will not be able to add it to your marriage license or certificate after your marriage ceremony is performed.
Get marriage certificate with new name
After you get married, you will get a marriage certificate with your new name. You can use your marriage certificate to update your California or federal identity documents, like your California Driver's License or US Passport.
Check with the local agency to find out their rules. Some may have a different rule on how to change a name after a marriage.

Your records are not updated automatically with your new name.
You must take an authorized copy of your marriage certificate to each government agency where you need to update your ID or record.
Learn how to contact each agency where you might need to update your records
Get more information

A name change is not required by law, but a person may decide to take their spouse's last name when they get married.

State law does not contain step-by-step instructions when changing your last name after marriage. There is no single legal form to fill out. Instead, a person must contact government agencies to let them know of the new legal name. The agency will have rules on how to update your documents with your new name. You will likely be required to submit a certified copy of your marriage license, which you can obtain through the county clerk's office. In addition to government agencies, you may also need to notify your employer, bank or credit union, utility companies, doctor's office, insurance company, etc. of your new legal name. Each person's situation will vary.

The right to change your last name after marriage is based on case law rather than statute. Attorney General opinion JH-0432 from 1974 explains the legal history of this common law right. MW-0225 from 1980 provides a legal opinion on the use of a hyphenated last name. A person can also choose to change their name through the courts. See our Name Changes guide for details.

The links below provide instructions for updating a driver's license or ID, social security card, passport, and voter registration card.

U.S. Passport

How do names change after marriage?

How to Change Your Name in 14 Steps.

File for Your Marriage Certificate. ... .

Obtain Certified Copies. ... .

Update Your Social Security Card. ... .

Get a New Driver's License or I.D. ... .

Update Your Passport. ... .

Update Global Entry and TSA PreCheck. ... .

Change Your Name on Your Bank Account. ... .

Change Your Name on Your Credit Cards..

How do I change my name after marriage in Utah?

Visit your local Utah DPS office in person and present the appropriate document proving your legal name change; i.e., marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. You must also bring your current driver's license, proof of identity, proof of residency, and proof of SSN.

How do I change my name after marriage in NC?

You'll need a certified copy of your marriage license in order to change your name on your driver's license and your Social Security card. Wait at least 10 (TEN) days after the ceremony is performed to allow sufficient time for your license to be returned to the Register of Deeds.

How do I change my last name after marriage in NY?

You can't change your first name by marriage. The new middle and last names are officially yours when the marriage ceremony is completed. Your marriage certificate is proof of your new name and can be used to change your name on other identification papers such as your driver's license.