What Do You Need to Do to Change (or Keep) Your Name?

• Changing Your Name after Divorce
• Changing Your Name in a Common Law Marriage
  

People often change their name for any number of reasons. After marriage, after divorce, for heritage reasons, after adoption, or even "just because." A couple in common law marriage may also opt for a common law name change. But the most common reason for name change, by far, is because a wife chooses to take her husband's surname after marriage. NOTE: Scroll down or click here for marriage name change forms.

How to Change Your Name

If you decide to take your spouse's name after you marry, the first thing you should do is change your name on all of your identification, accounts and important documents (such as: credit card agencies, Internal Revenue Service, utility companies, your employer, the post office, passport, bank, stocks/bonds/mutual funds, retirement plans, etc.). Most government documents require proof of marriage for a name change. You can check with each organization about whether you will need a certified copy of your marriage certificate - but it's easiest just to obtain one before you start the process. After you have some identification bearing your new name you should begin to conistently use that name as your own.

Name Change Kit (Forms and Instructions)

A 'New Bride' Name Change Kit from our partner, USLegalForms.com, is an easy to use and efficient way for new brides to handle all name changes to important documents. The kit contains everything you will need to change your name:

• Six Step Instruction Guide
• Checklist
• All forms needed to change records for Social Security, IRS, Drivers License, Vehicle Title, Voter Registration, U.S. Passport, Bank Records, Credit Cards, Medical Records, Insurance, Employment, and More!

Remember that in order to change your name you must have your marriage certificate and you can only start the name change process after you have received your certificate of marriage. If you are ready to get started, click here to order the 'New Bride Name Change Kit.

Other Options

Contrary to popular belief, once a woman marries she does not have to take her husband’s name. When a couple is married, each spouse is free to keep his or her own name, take the husband’s or wife’s name, or even use a totally different name.

Some couples want to be known by a hyphenated combination of their last names, and a few even make up new names that combine elements of each. You can also pick a name that's entirely different from the names you have now, just because you like it better.

If you choose to change your last name to something other than your spouse’s, give careful thought to what name you choose. You will save yourself considerable time and trouble by making sure you are happy with your choice of name before you change any records. In the past, it was relatively easy to change your name - simply by consistently using the new name. Today it is not quite as easy. If you choose to use a name other than yours or your spouse's, a court petition is required.