Changing Your Name When You Marry

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As soon as possible after your marriage, record your new name on all legal, business and official documents. You should consult an attorney regarding your specific situation.

• The wife keeps her maiden name. Sign your maiden name on your marriage certificate and all future documents. In many states, if you want to keep your maiden name after marriage, you have no obligation to notify any official agencies. However, you should check your own state for possible special requirements.



• The wife takes her husband’s last name. Sign your new name on your marriage certificate and all future documents. Some entities require you to make the change in person, complete forms or provide a certified copy of your marriage license (or certificate), to change your name on documents. Gather as many of the necessary forms as possible at least a month before you marry.

  Financial planning professionals suggest you begin by contacting your local office of the Social Security Administration because employers, many financial institutions and others require that their records be consistent with Social Security records.

• The wife uses a hyphenated last name, incorporating her maiden name and her husband’s last name; her husband keeps his own last name. Or, less common, both husband and wife hyphenate their last names. Sign your new, hyphenated name on the marriage certificate and all future documents.



• The wife uses her maiden name as a middle name and takes her husband’s last name. Sign your new name on your marriage certificate and all future documents.



• The wife uses both her husband’s last name and her maiden name. Problems can arise when you use the two names interchangeably on legal documents. To avoid future complications, use only your maiden name on legal documents and joint federal income tax returns. The IRS may require proof of your marriage and request a notarized copy of your marriage license (or certificate) if you choose this option and file a joint return.



• The husband takes his wife’s maiden name. This generally is chosen when changing the wife’s last name is difficult for professional reasons and both partners want to share the same last name.