Editor's note: This post was originally published May 20, 2022, and has been updated for accuracy, comprehensiveness and freshness on January 20, 2026.
Perhaps you just got engaged to be married. Of course you are excited, but you also have one big important question. "Do I change my name after marriage?" Your fiancé isn’t sure either. Like many couples, you might think that one or the other partner is required to change your name after marriage. But is that true?
Good news! Name changes after marriage are your choice. You don't have to change your name at all. We want you to enter your marriage feeling ready and empowered with knowledge, so we’ve laid out some name change basics for you.
Keep reading to get a more thorough understanding of your rights. You'll learn about the law, your options, and what happens if you choose not to change your name after marriage.
U.S. law does not make you change your name when you get married. Not changing your name after marriage is completely legal. You have every right to keep the name you've always had.
Changing your name is an option, not a rule.
When you get married, you have several choices:
Both partners can make their own choice. One person might change their name while the other doesn't. This is a decision you and your partner get to make together.
Keeping your maiden name is easy. You don't have to do anything at all!
Your marriage certificate does not change your name automatically. It just proves you got married. If you're not changing your name after marriage, your legal documents stay the same.
This means:
You only update these documents if you choose to change your name.
Many people decide not to change their name after marriage. Here are common reasons:
Yes! Some people hyphenate their names. This means you connect both last names with a dash. For example, Maria Garcia marries John Wilson. She might become Maria Garcia-Wilson.
You can also use a double last name without a hyphen. Some people write both names with a space between them.
Using both names on legal documents means all your papers should match. Your driver's license, passport, and bank accounts should all show the same name. This keeps things simple and clear.
One challenge: long hyphenated names don't always fit in computer systems. Some forms have limited space. But this doesn't mean you can't choose this option.
What if you do want to change your name? Here's how it works.
Your marriage certificate is the most important document. It proves you got married and allows you to change your name.
Follow these steps to change your name:
Each state has slightly different rules. Some steps might be easier or harder depending on where you live.
Remember: if you don't start this process, your name stays the same. Not changing your name after marriage means you don't have to do any of these steps!
Let's review the most important point: no law says you must change your name after marriage.
You and your spouse have complete freedom. You can keep your names, change them, or combine them. Not changing your name after marriage is just as valid as changing it.
Whatever you choose is the right choice for you. Your name is part of who you are. After marriage, you get to decide what happens to it.
Choosing what to do with your name after marriage is personal. But you don't have to figure out the legal details alone.
LegalShield offers family law support to help you with name changes, marriage documents, and other family legal matters. LegalShield provider lawyers can help you review paperwork, offer consultations, answer unlimited covered legal questions and more.
Don't let legal questions stress you out during this happy time. Visit LegalShield's Family Law page to learn how affordable legal help can guide you through this process and protect your family's future.
Your name. Your choice. Your legal protection. Get started with LegalShield today.
Content Specialist at LegalShield, creating educational resources about legal and consumer protection topics. She focuses on making complex legal and financial concepts accessible to readers and has contributed to various educational articles on consumer rights and protections.
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