My Marriage Certificate Is Missing My Married Name. Now What?
So, your marriage certificate is missing your married name, and you're wondering if you can still change your name. Maybe it just has your maiden name or current name.
Did you leave the new name field blank, forget to choose, or miss it entirely? Are you stuck? If so, what's the fix?
Your marriage certificate isn't broken
In most states, you can change your name after marriage even if your marriage certificate doesn't display your new name—this is completely normal.
That's because marriage license applications in 36 states don't ask for a new married name. As a result, marriage certificates in these states only list your current and maiden name.
However, in 14 states, you can specify a new name on the application. If you left that field blank, your certificate won't show a married name—but you may still have options.
Which states ask for your married name?
Here are the 14 states where you can designate your new last name when applying for a marriage license:
- California
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- New Hampshire
- New York
- North Dakota
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- South Dakota
If you got married in one of these states and left the new name choice blank—or want to change your selection—keep reading to learn your options.
Note: Nevada dropped its married name choice option in 2024 (SB 211), repealing a 2017 rule that let couples choose new names on the marriage license application.
So, everyone's good to go?
In the 36 states that don't ask for a new name on the marriage application, your marriage certificate is all you need—it's legal proof of your authorization to change your name.
Quick note: You can change your middle name through marriage in 47 states, including those listed above. In a handful of states, you can even change your first name.
Want to avoid the headache of figuring out all these state rules? Our name change kit does the heavy lifting for you.
Why the split?
So why do those 14 states even bother? Why doesn't every state just omit new name options? Because the states that ask for a new name tend to offer more choices.
In these states, you can opt for more creative name combinations. They provide explicit clarity—everyone knows what they're allowed to change to, including men.
For example, states like California, New York, and Nevada let you mix and match names in multiple ways—it's written right into their statutes.
Not impressed? How about this—in California, a Williamson marrying a Hamilton could legally create up to 1,980 unique hybrid surnames, from Willton to Hamson to Liamil.
That's a level of creativity most states don't allow.
States that don't ask for a new name follow a default system: you can take your spouse's name or hyphenate, but extra options aren't clearly spelled out.
And by default, we don't mean these states have statutes listing approved name changes—most don't mention name changes at all.
It's simply a minimum understanding accepted by federal, state, and private agencies, such as when updating your social security card, driver's license, and passport.
They asked for my new name, but I left it blank
There are many reasons someone might leave the new name field blank: they overlooked it, forgot, or didn't realize it was an option and froze in the moment.
Some may have wanted to preserve the option but feared that listing a new name would make the change mandatory—not true, by the way.
Let's talk solutions…
1. Get a new marriage license
If you haven't gotten married yet, you're in luck. Just apply for a new marriage license and include your preferred new name.
Both your marriage license and certificate will reflect it, and that's it—you're done.
But if you're already married, read on…
2. Accept the defaults
Even in states that let you choose a new name on the marriage application, leaving it blank doesn't mean you're out of options.
Your marriage certificate will simply reflect your existing name, but you can still take your spouse's last name or hyphenate—these default options are widely accepted.
Consider this the Que Sera, Sera, Zen-mode approach:
- Creative name changes? Gone.
- Traditional options? Still there.
Except in California—if you don't select a new name when applying for a marriage license, you lose the ability to change it through marriage. A court petition becomes your only option.
Who would've thought California, the state with the most flexible name change options, would also be the one to slam the door shut—without much explanation? Go figure.
This only applies if you married and live in California:
- If you married there but live elsewhere, no problem.
- If you live in California but married out of state, you're fine.
We've reviewed statutes for every state, and California appears to be the only one with this restriction. For everyone else, default name changes remain an option.
3. Get your marriage certificate amended
If you're already married, you can ask the clerk who recorded your marriage license to amend your certificate with your new name. It'll likely be an attachment to the original.
Marriage record clerks have wide discretion, especially since state statutes are often ambiguous, but amendments are typically for typos, not changes of heart.
That said, clerks are human. Some might be willing to make a slight edit—a quiet nip and tuck—especially if it's a small adjustment. It never hurts to ask.
If a lower-level clerk denies your request, politely escalate to the head clerk—they have more leeway, and how you present your case can make all the difference.
4. Petition the court
If the default options don't work and amending your marriage certificate isn't possible, your only remaining option is to petition the court for a legal name change.
It takes time, money, and effort, but it guarantees you the name you want. Once approved, your court order—not your marriage certificate—becomes your legal proof of name change.
Your name change isn't blocked
If your marriage certificate doesn't show your married name, don't panic—it's usually not a problem and often standard, even if it only lists your current name.
In most states, your certificate serves as legal proof that you're authorized to change your name, no matter what it does—or doesn't—show.
If you married in a state that lets you specify a new name on the marriage application but left it blank, you can still take your spouse's last name or hyphenate.
California is the exception—if you didn't specify a new name when applying, a court order is your only path to change it now.
If you'd rather skip the research, our name change kit makes the process easy.
My 80 year old Mom applied for a Real ID and this alerted us to the fact that both her first and middle names on her birth certificate have typos.
She talked to the county and the contact there requested a clerical change, but the change was rejected because they said that was how her names were spelled on the original paper request they received.
They said she has to complete an amendment which we are having problems with because of the fact that we have to provide two supporting documents. It turns out that her marriage certificate has her correctly spelled first and middle name but then my mom added yet another middle name that she claimed her parents gave her even though she never used/uses it and it wasn’t on her birth certificate.
I am being told in the state of MN that I have to petition the court to get that second middle name off of the marriage certificate. Do you know if this is true?
SSN card used to have everything correctly spelled first, only one middle name and maiden name and then it has correctly spelled first and married last name after she got married (they may have left the middle name off because new married name was so long?) Her current Driver’s license has correctly spelled first, one middle name and last name on it.
I am unclear if having typos on her birth certificate and the extra middle name on the marriage certificate will cause her any other problems other than getting a Real ID or a passport.
She does not like to travel and has only flown somewhere once in her life. Do we need to be concerned about correcting the birth certificate and marriage certificate?
That's likely where she's headed.
Maybe. If there's a lack of space, the middle name is the first to be sacrificed.
It's already causing problems with her Real ID. It may as well on her passport. For instance, if she's going for her first passport or it's older than 15 years old, she'll have to supply proof of citizenship, which is typically the birth certificate.
Option 1 is to complete a one and the same person affidavit where she swears that the name variations are all her. This is likely to not work, but is a Hail Mary you can offer to the DMV.
Option 2 is to get a court ordered name change. But, in your mom's case, it's more of a name affirmation. She'll get a certified document from a U.S. court that confirms her name. That'll be the proof she'll need for everything (e.g., passport, Real ID).
Hi . I would like to know am I responsible for telling the DMV , social security and etc of my name change or will the automatically find out due to me changing my name on the marriage certificate
Hi Michelle. Yes, it's your responsible to notify every agency, organization, or entity of your name change. They won't be notified automatically of what's on your marriage certificate.
Hello
My wife and I got married in Massachusetts in March. At the time she did not wish to change her name so on the marriage certificate in the section which says 'last name after Marriage' her name remained the same.
The Mass.gov website advised when you update the certificate the name will change automatically and then you can contact the SSN office etc. but does not state how she can now change her last name after the event?
How can we change her last name now? Will the marriage certificate still suffice with the SS office etc to change her name now?
Thank you :)
The same as always. She must obtain a certified copy of the marriage certificate from the city or town clerk where you got your marriage license to change her name with the SSA, DMV, etc.
Hi, Married in NH but live in MA, used hyphenated last name on marriage license (maiden-husband name) and it’s on the certificate. Will it be a problem if I don’t legally change my name (SS, license, etc.) and just continue to use my maiden name instead or will I get in trouble? Thanks!
You're definitely not going to get in trouble for not changing your name, regardless of what's on your marriage certificate. This fear/doubt seems pretty prevalent. We're gonna have to get an article up on the site soon to put this concern to bed.
That’s good to know, thank you!
Hello,
This a long one… About 10 years I apparently put my husband's last name on the marriage application in Georgia. However, our marriage reflects my maiden name.
Well when I went to to SSA they gave me the option to change me name with any of the name combinations on the marriage certificate. I choose to hyphen maiden and husband's last name, not remembering or considering what was placed on the marriage application.
Everyone has gone by the hyphenated name, such as taxes (both state and federal), dependent military ID, schools and student loans, and level 1 finger print card. I've only ran into issues with getting the state of Georgia to provide my hyphenated name on my driver's license, despite my paying Georgia taxes with it 🙄🙄…
We are currently stationed in Arizona. Arizona goes by what's on the social security card when it comes to getting a drivers license. According to Georgia, if I were to transfer my Georgia drivers license to Arizona, then later back to Georgia, they would accept the hyphened name.
This is ridiculously insane, as there is no record anywhere legally of me with just my husband's name, not even in a background check… In my case is a legal name change necessary, if the name not placed on my application is not my legal name? If seems like I would be changing my hyphenated name to my hyphenated name!
This may be your path of least resistance. However, you may want to contact the office to determine if they'll accept a one and the same person affidavit where you swear that both names variations are yours.
Not if you follow Georgia's DDS recommendation.
It's more of an affirmation than a name change. The courts understand why folks do this and will not scoff at it.
I got married in NYC back in 2012 but I choose to stay with my maiden name, now I had a change of heart and I want my husbands last name but I don't know how to go about it. I read someplace I have to petition, in other places that I just go and change it. my marriage license has my maiden name. What are the steps to changing my last name to his now? What should I do next?
Hi Jo. You'd have to petition. It's the Civil Court in NYC or Supreme Court outside of NYC.
I got married in NYC stated I wanted to take my husband's last name but the certificate put in his paternal and maternal last name. SS office only wrote paternal last name on my card but my passport shows both paternal and maternal last names. I only use the paternal last name. However I moved to Indiana and they state I cannot get an ID because my SS card and passport don't match. I don't really want to change my SS to both last names. Is there any way I can only use the paternal last name? Do I have to have a name change?
Hi Laura. Instead of using your passport, how about using a certified copy of your birth certificate?
Hello,
I will be getting married in September, and would prefer to use two surnames (two last names without the hyphen). When we filled out our marriage license (in NH), there was no option to give a compound surname unless it was hyphenated.
If we get married with the license and certificate with the hyphenated name, will I still be able to change my name at the SSA, DMV, passport without the hyphen? Otherwise I'm considering just keeping my maiden name. Thanks!
Not possible through marriage, as spelled out in New Hampshire Revised Statutes, Section 5-C:41
Hey i got married 7 yrs ago in Ga. my marriage license i put my new name as the “Surname” but on my Marriage certificate it has my born name. I wanted to get it changed on my SS Card. What do i do. They want me to mail it in because of the virus. So i want to be sure nothing holds it up..
Hi Amanda. If by the "surname" you mean your spouse's name, then your marriage certificate is fine. If the probate court clerk made a mistake with the name applied on your marriage certificate, contact their office for a correction and amendment.
Hi, Valera. I recently got married in PA and and my marriage certificate shows my maiden last name only. Pennsylvania did not ask me to put down the last name I want to use post-wedding in the marriage license application form, so I just wrote down my current legal name.
Regarding the name change, I understand that I can just bring my marriage certificate, which shows my current last name only, to the social security office to change my maiden last name to my husband's last name. But, is changing my last name on the social security card considered a "legal" name change?
I was just a bit confused whether or not the name change on the social security card would be considered a "legal" change. My marriage certificate, which is my legal document, is a historical document so it would still show my maiden last name even after the name change on the social security card. I was wondering whether I would need to file a name change petition to "legally" change my name.
Thanks in advance!
That's standard.
Yes.
Right. Your certificate's a snapshot in time. It's not meant to change, no matter what happens to your name.
You do not.
Hi!
I married over 2 years ago in Colorado and cannot remember what the clerk asked me. I have the marriage license and certificate both stating my maiden name. I now want to change it to my husband’s last name. Can this be done by applying for SSI with new name or do I need to petition the court?
Thanks!
Hi Sarah. You can use your marriage certificate as-is.
Hi,
My fiancé and I plan to get married in NYC, he is still debating to changing his last name and hyphenate it with mine, so we both have the same hyphenated surnames.
Will it cause a problem if after choosing the new name we decide both to keep our birth surname and never change it when renewing our passport, or with the social security of motor vehicles (because my birth surname is already an hyphenated one, we doubt names with 2 hyphens are accepted) offices?
Certainly. You can change your name on your marriage certificate without changing it on anything else.
Hi,
I got married in Las Vegas and there wasn't a spot to put "future name" or name after marriage.
So my marriage certificate has my maiden name, my husband and I wanted to take his surname.
Do we have to go through the courts at this time? We got married October of 2019 and we are both from AK.
Hi Alaska. You don't need to go to court.
If she doesn't have to go to court for it, how would she do this?
Hi Crystal. Her marriage certificate documents her name change event. This satisfies SSA and DMV requirements. She can take her husband's name because it'll be derived from his name portion of the certificate.
So I applied for my married application in GA a few weeks ago, I have not gotten married yet. I do not want to change my name right now, but I would like the option to if i decide to later on.
On the form where it asks "what will your new name be after marriage" I wrote my Fiance' last name. The clerk was rude and short with me and I was very confused with the process. She made is sound like if I didn't write his last name on the application now it would be more difficult if I decide to change it in the future. Is that accurate?
Is my legal name after we are married now my Fiance's name or my birth name if I haven't gone to SS or any other places?
Do I have to go to SS to legally change it or does the marriage certificate legally change it?
At this point I don't want to change my name yet, but I might in the future. What should I do now? Try to reapply for another marriage licence with my birth name or not worry about it bc its not legally changed until I go through SS? …very confused and stressed about this.. please help….
You don't have to change your name. But the option will remain to do it later.
That is accurate. Think of it like a placeholder.
Your legal name is still your birth name.
The SSA doesn't get automatically notified. You'll have to initiate the change with them directly.
Select your new name on the application. It's nonbinding. Even if you choose not to go forward with it, you preserve the option.
The latter. Don't worry about it. It's there if you decide to use it.
Would the process be the same if my husband takes my last name? from Texas
Hi Caitlyn. He'd have to petition the court.
I got married in Lincoln, Nebraska, our marriage certificate application didn't ask what name I wanted to use for my married name. I want to use my stepdad's last name (different from my maiden name) and hyphenate it with my husband's last name. Is this possible? I'm just worried that SS and DMV won't accept my marriage certificate, since my stepdad's last name isn't reflected on the marriage certificate.
It's not possible through marriage.
I was just recently married (August 16th 2020) in Las Vegas NV and I live in California. When I was online getting ready to place an order to have a copy of marriage certificate but I had noticed that my name was still my birth name. But when I filled out my marriage license I had put down that I wanted to change my last name to be the same as my husband.
Why does it still show my birth last name and not my new last night? Will I be able to have it changed At SS, DMV, etc to my husband last name whenever my marriage certificate comes in the mail ?
Hi Veronica. Are you saying your new last name isn't showing in the online portal or the certified certificate they mailed you. If it's the prior and there's a space where it's indicated to show, you can contact the county recorder to find out what's up. If it's the latter, you can contact them to reissue a certificate to fix their clerical error.
Hi there,
I got married last September in Rhode Island and I live in Massachusetts and I was about to start the name change process and realized that my married name is not on the marriage certificate. Am I going to have an issue with Social Security and Massachusetts in changing my name?
I noticed on the marriage license it does have my first name by saying first middle and last name and then says birth name if (different) in the box next to it but the woman told me that was for people who had been married more than once Because she said to write my legal information on the certificate. I’m curious now if Massachusetts is going to give me problems with this or not. Thank you!
You won't have a problem. That's how Rhode Island designs their marriage license and certificate. It will be accepted fine in Mass.
I got married/ a marriage license in NC. The marriage license shows my maiden name and not my husband's last name. We live in CA and I now want to change my name. Can I use my marriage license as proof to change my name in CA, even if the new name is not listed on the license?
Yes, since you were married in NC. If you married in CA, it'd be a different story.
Hi,
I got married about 3 weeks ago in Wisconsin, but we live in Illinois. I just got our marriage certificate, and for my name it states, in both boxes my maiden name.
I was planning on changing to my husbands last name. I believe we mentioned this to the woman who helped us get our marriage license and I don't recall any boxes saying to put my future last name or name after being married. Everything just said to put my current name, which I used my original (maiden) last name for since that was my name.
Will this certificate be accepted by the SSA and DMV to change my name? Or will i have to do additional things to change my last name like petition or etc? Please help!
Thank you,
Laura
It will be accepted.
HI, Laura!
Same thing also happened to me here in Wisconsin. After we got our marriage license (in 2020), we noticed that my surname didn't change. So when I got my DMV and Social Security, they were still my maiden name cos I wasn't able to use my husband's. Up until now, I still haven't changed it–we couldn't fix it right away due to the pandemic. Have you fixed yours?
I recently got married in Wyoming, but live in Utah. I signed my marriage license with my maiden name. Will I be able to change my name in Utah with my marriage license? I would like to hyphenate my last name with his, but it's not clear if that's an option in Utah without petitioning a court.
Yes, with the marriage certificate.
That's not necessary.
I got married in California in 2008 (I know, long time, and just now I noticed!) I didn't change my last name to my husband's until later (2016 when I applied for US citizenship, I have dual).
The reason I started digging is that I need to change my last name in my second citizenship passport as it's also has expired on top of new name. For that, they accept only 2 documents as a proof of name change – (1) marriage certificate (important note – it HAS to have new last name section, which I don't) or (2) court order. Either one has to be notarized with apostil and translation.
I have tried researching which option is less work, I have asked consulate if I can get my marriage certificate amended to show new name and if they would accept that (they haven't responded yet).
Court order from CA seemed like more work especially if it has to come from the same state I got married in, I now live on other side of the country in state of Georgia. But if no choice I'll have to pursue.
Getting marriage certificate amended:
Besides the fact that I need it to reflect my new last name I have noticed typos in both my husband's parents’ names and mine. Since we are immigrants our names are long and very easy to mess up.
1) My question is – if I were to pursue marriage certificate amendment (even if they don't take it for my passport purpose, it's good to have it correct regardless) are my parents’ names typos enough along with new last name addition to get it approved? Your article says it's tough to get it and could get dismissed.
1a) Does the amendment have to come from the same state I got married in?
2) Other question is – if I to pursue court order does it have to be from the same state I got married in?
Which country?
Most marriage certificates in the U.S. don't show the new name explicitly. It's derived by referring to the spouse's name. Are they explicitly saying it must show the new name or can it be derived?
Marriage certificate, if you can use it.
Typos may be corrected, but not the inclusion of a new name
See previous answer.
Yes.
State of residence.
Thank you so much! Second passport is for Russia. I called CA clerk recorder office and they said they can't include the name change just like you stated above (only correct typos), so I'll have to go with to petition to court.
OR try to present my current marriage certificate as is as a proof of name change and see what happens. But I still have to seek apostle and notarized translation.
Embassy response was (I assume by your name Valera – you can read this, if not, I can translate):
Likely, as the California Name Equality Act had provided you the opportunity to choose a new name way back when. The embassy may be aware of this, hence their reply.
You could and see if they'll accept the certificate as-is and allow your new surname to be derived solely from your spouse's last name block.
Hello Valera,
I already almost gathered all the documents for court to officially change my last name in order to renew 'zagran' to reflect it and just now realized I could just renew it with my maiden name – it is so much less work and money.
But if I fly to visit Russia I'd have to bring 2 passports (since they will show 2 different last names) and my marriage certificate with me, correct?
Any other docs to bring? AND another benefit of that is that I wouldn't have to change my local/internal Russian passport based on zagran or new name.
However:
1. Will marriage certificate that doesn't show new last name work at the customs ?
2. Will I need to have apostle and notarized translation with my marriage certificate or one original/certified copy of it is sufficient as is in English ?
3. What name I should buy plane ticket under ? My friend once wasn't let on the plane because she bought it under her new name but I'm reading on-line it could work either way. I'd assume her experience is more solid information and I need to buy it under old name.
The more supporting documentation the merrier.
Other documents showing your maiden name wouldn't hurt, such as your birth certificate or prior ID (even if expired).
Not sure what you mean by "work?" It'll show proof of marriage and can link your two names.
You'll want to pose this question to consular services. They may want an official translation even if they have translators on staff.
Match the passport.
Irene, I have a few questions about court order, because I m going to do it too, my Florida marriage certificate doesn’t have line about changes surnames after marriage. What state are you from?
That's standard in Florida.
Michigan- my husband and myself applied for a marriage license and we were told to sign our maiden name even though we both want to use a different last name. She said we will sign again after the wedding but at that point are we able to sign the name we choose or do we have to sign our maiden name?
You wouldn't be able to change to an entirely new name through marriage.
At no point.
You'd sign whatever your current legal name is at the time.
I am a man who has had a legal first name change over 3 years ago. My social security card, state id, new birth certificate, other legal documents show that. We want a divorce and the marriage license carries the old first name. Does that make me still married under my new name, is a legitimate divorce necessary??
Hi Lee. Your marriage record is merely a historical vital record. Name changes don't invalidate or give it special meaning. Your divorce under your new name will dissolve your marriage, regardless of what name appears on your preceding marriage certificate.
Hello! I live in North Carolina but was married in Virginia in 2016. I did not indicate a name change on the marriage license. Now I want to change my name as my first child is on the way. Will I need to petition the court in NC now for a name change?
Hi Amber. You don't need to petition.
I got married in NYC 5 years ago and chose not to change my name, so marriage certificate shows my maiden name. I’ve changed my mind now that we have a child and wish to now take my married name. Do I have to now petition the court in my state of residence? Will I encounter any future problems with a marriage certificate that shows my maiden name but all other ID documents show married name (after I successfully change it)?
Most likely.
That shouldn't be a problem.
So, I just got married and found out that my husbands name is wrong on his birth certificate, and now my marriage license is wrong and he needs to change his name too. What should we do in this situation?
And I’m in Cali
Hi Esther. See CA's vital records amendment page.
I got married in OK 10 years ago and signed the license and certificate using my maiden name. I currently reside in TX and would now like to add my husband's last name to my maiden name via hyphenation. Would I need to petition the court due to the duration of time or what steps would I need to take? Thanks in advance for any and all assistance.
Hi Ellie. You'd just use your marriage certificate. There's no name change time limit procedural change.
I was married in Vegas, September 14th of 2019. When filling out the license application, I did not designate a new name because I didn’t know you had to in order to change your name in the future, I wasn’t going to change right away. I am now wanting my name to be changed, what do I do since my maiden name is on my certificate and it has been a year?
Hi Danielle. Nevada is lenient in that it'll still allow a name change through marriage using your marriage certificate with the new name space empty.
We are 73 years old. Our marriage certificate shows only our maiden names (pre-hyphenation). ALL our other documents including our social security cards show our hyphenated names. Now I'm afraid we're going to have trouble getting Real I.D. We're on a fixed income so getting names legally changed is going to be a real challenge. What can we do..if anything?
Hi Jane. You shouldn't face any issues.
I got married in Boston, MA and wrote down my husband's last name as my new name for the marriage license. But they didn't ask about my middle name. Do I need to file a name change petition in court to get my middle name changed to my maiden name?
Hi Annie. You don't need to petition.
Hi I am an NC resident trying to change my last name in NC. My marriage license doesn't have my new last name on it, but does have my maiden name and my husbands last name. It has a spot on it for name prior to marriage.
Should I have signed my new last name and put my maiden name in the name prior to marriage? Will I be able to change it through SSA or will I have to petition my local court?
No, it's asking for your current name and birth name. You filled it out correctly.
Using your marriage certificate will work. No need to go to court.
I got married in Vegas I put my haha bra last name – my maiden last name. I haven’t changed anything yet but I want too. The thing is now I don’t want my last name on there just his. Do I have to amend to have my last name dropped off?
Hi Sailea. Although you have nothing to lose by asking for a correction, it's unlikely to be granted for such a circumstance. You could argue that it was an error or misunderstanding.
Hello!
My Fiancé and I will be getting married in Michigan this Sunday. I do not currently want to go through the name change process, but if we have kids in the future, I would like to change my name to his so I can have the same last name as my kids.
I just want the option to change my current last name to my married last name in the future. Should I write my married name on the marriage certificate? Do I have to change anything else right away or ever if we never have kids (SSC, DL, etc.)? Or can I just wait and change it in the future if I feel like it?
When I do taxes as married I would use my current (Maiden) last name until I officially changed it on my social security card/ Drivers license correct? Thank you!
In Michigan, you'll put your current legal name.
You do not.
You can.
Yes.
My husband’s last name was legally changed (his mother remarried when he was very young). So the name on his birth certificate says one thing, and his legal name another – we put both names on the certificate in their designated locations, but the birth certificate name is what is at the top of the marriage license in big bold letters… that is 100% NOT the last name I am taking (and obviously not his last name either). We got married 2 days ago. Will this be an issue? (We are in NJ if that helps)
Hi Emily. Unless the certificate shows both names and properly designates them, it may be a clerical error. If so, you'll have to contact the local registrar for a correction and reissued cert.
Hello,
I plan on getting married here in California within the next couple of months. Due to COVID-19 and being far apart from immediate family we'll likely just go to a courthouse to sign documents and keep it private, until we can celebrate with family and close friends in our respective home states.
I do want to change my last name eventually, but I'm not so keen on switching before we can have some kind of party with loved ones. Is it legal to put my "new" last name on the license, but wait a year or longer to change it?
Also, if I apply for a passport renewal soon, can I do that after the elopement with my current last name, but amend it later with little to no cost when I start using the "new" surname? We will be moving to AZ mid-December, so I'll have to get a new Driver's License before too long. Could I also use my current last name for that up to whenever I decide to call the SSA about changing?
I feel overwhelmed and don't know if I asked about all the relevant issues.
Yes.
Yes.
Follow-up renewal is free if done within a year of the prior.
Yes.
I recently got married in NV. Our officiant was from out of state and she performed and filled everything out correctly, we assume because we did it together.
I specifically wanted my last name changed to my new married name and it was on the marriage license application but for some reason when i got the email saying my new name was not designated on the certificate… but on all copies of certificate there was no place to put my new last name or married name anywhere just said first and last name.
Is this common? Will my new name be on the certificate because it was originally on my license application? What should i do? My officiant is out of state and only applied to do 1 time ceremony and i really don't want to do this process over again
Hi Nichole. Your new name should have appeared on your certificate. You'll have to contact the county recorder to inquire.
Hello!
I am in NY & have kind of unique situation. When filling out our marriage license, I put my fiancé’s last name in the name change box. However, I want to keep my maiden name for now for insurance purposes (I am having a baby in January, and trying to get onto his insurance before that).
If I put my name down as maiden name on the insurance form, can they deny me because I filled out his last name on the marriage license? Due to COVID, everything is closed here & I don’t have time to rely on mailing in documents for my name change, so I thought it would be best to just wait until after the baby is born. I do want to change my last name to his after the baby is born. Will this be an issue as far as my insurance coverage? Can they deny me for using my maiden name? I am scared! Thanks in advance!
It's a nonissue. They'll understand that your name change is optional.
I am from Japan and got married in IL in 2016. I didn't change my last name. My green card has my maiden name as well as my marriage certificate. Now we have a kid and I want to have the same family name. What would be the next step?
1. Go to the SSA and change my last name with the marriage certificate 2.Go to the DMV with a new SS card and change my last name 3. Start the process to change my name on my green card. Is my understanding correct?
Hi Monica. Using your marriage certificate, green card, then SSA, then DMV.
Hi Valera,
We tried to change my name when I removed the conditions last year with my marriage certificate. However, they did not approve our request. They said we needed legal materials with a new name.
If I change my last name on the SS card first, will it be a legal ID to change my last name on my green card?
Hi Monica. They should have given details of what legal materials they're referring to. Your marriage certificate is a legal document, but green card should be doable beforehand.
Exactly my situation. As per my understanding and as you said that you have maiden name on all your documents including Marriage certificate, you need to file a petition for name change in court then you will get legal name changed document. so that you can show that to PR,SSN and dmv etc wherever you want to change the name as you changed your name legally. They will change your name.
Hi Monika. You don't need to go to court. Use your marriage certificate to complete your name change.
I got married back in 1989 in CA. I decided to take my Husbands last name after marriage and did the proper procedures. However, just recently i couldn’t find my marriage license and or certificate so i went down to the county recorders office.
Upon paying for a copy (just had to show my drivers license and birth certificate) I see that in the bold box is my maiden name, not my married name which I’ve been going by for over 30 years. Matter of fact, the entire license / certificate doesn’t have my last name shown anywhere. It shows my first name, my middle name and my old maiden name. Upon looking at the signature I supposedly signed, it shows the same wrong name.
I see that even my signature isn’t mine upon looking even closer. My question to you: how would someone have perhaps changed the original information on a filed document ? Why would someone do that and would it effect the home I bought with my husband using my married name? Also, can it be changes back ?
Where the box is that reads “Maiden/Last/Family” it is completely blank. And again, the bold box shows my maiden name instead of my married name I’ve been going by for years.
Help!!!!
Hi Karen. In 1989, that was the format for California marriage certificates. After the Name Equality Act of 2007, the designed it to show married name.
Hello,
I got married in Las Vegas NV in 2018/ but live in NY. I’m ready to change my name, but noticed my marriage certificate does not have a new name. I must have left it blank at application. I’ll be changing my name through SSA via mail and then at the DMV in person. Will this be an issue that may reject the name change?
Thank you for any help
Hi Nicole. It won't be an issue.
Word of advice – if you change your name in your US marriage certificate and then ignore that name change in other US documents (which is Ok based on this article above and also based on our own experience), and then you intend to live oversees and use your US marriage certificate to prove that you are married (which maybe important, like linking father to children), you can then be in a lot of trouble oversees.
Some countries, unlike the US, make a big deal over name changes in marriage certificates. So they will accept your US marriage certificate but then claim that your other documents, like local passports, have wrong (old) names. Watch out!
My husband and I just got married this October in Wisconsin. I filled out our marriage application and used my maiden name when filled in the “current name” section. I only realized this was a mistake after we received our copies of our marriage certificate.
I was so excited to change my last name, but now am I unable to sense only my maiden name is listed on our marriage certificate? How can I fix it so I can change my last name to match my husbands?
Hi Marissa. You'll be able to change your name fine in Wisconsin using your marriage certificate, as "current name" and "birth name" are the only name-related questions on the marriage application.
Hi – I live in New Jersey and was married in New Jersey this summer. I only saw a place to put my name as it appeared on my birth certificate, and did not see a place for my new last name. Did I miss something? Or does NJ not have a place for new last name on the marriage license and certificate?
You didn't miss anything. There's no such spot.
Married in MS (2017) but lives in TN, what will the process be to finally change to husband last name?
Same as if you lived in Mississippi or any other state. Use a certified copy of your marriage certificate as proof of your name change event when filing with the SSA, DMV, etc.
Hello,
Got married in NYC in April 2018 and I signed the marriage certificate with my maiden name and did not put down my husband's name .
We are currently living in Texas and I would like to take my husband's last name. Do we have to petition the court here? Thanks so much.
Hi Nikita. You don't have to petition.
Hello, I got married in California 6 yrs ago, but when completing my marriage license application I wrote my legal maiden name on the specific new name spot, and I wanted to add my husband last name, when I saw the mistake I asked the clerk for a change but she said it was too late since it was right after marriage.
Do I need a court order to make the change if my marriage certificate only shows my legal maiden name.
Do I have to pay a lawyer for that?
Thank you for your help
Hi Elsa. You do need a court-ordered name change at this point. You don't have to hire a lawyer to do so.
I just got married in Illinois how would I go about changing my last name to my married name
Hi Abigail. There's a dedicated Illinois name change page. The procedure is the basically the same for all states. Use a certified copy of your marriage certificate to change your name with various government and non-government institutions.
Start with your social security card, then driver's license, then passport, and so on.
Hi Tyrone,
I listed on the marriage license application that I wanted my new surname to be my husband's, and my maiden name become my middle name (TM to TMP). However, today we received our marriage certificate from GA (we live in SC) and the certificate only lists my maiden name (TM). I was told by the clerk the name change happens after you are married (as TM was printed on the marriage license), so I expected my requested name would appear on the certificate.
Since it's not, am I able to change my name with the SSA with my certificate as is, or does TMP need to be on the marriage certificate in order to move forward with changing my name with all institutions (and as an official name change doc)? Will the office change the mistake or will I be forced to go through the lengthy and costly process of changing my name through the courts and newspaper as I've read online?
Also, I am looking to potentially travel internationally in December. If I legally change my name to TMP prior to traveling, will I be able to travel with my passport that says TM? Should I buy my ticket with TM or TMP?
Hi Tina. You may want to give the probate court a call to find out if there was a clerical error and getting your certificate corrected and reissued gratis. They'll reissue if it's a mistake on their end.
As for travel, just book your ticket to match the name on your passport. If you update your SS card and driver's license, but not your passport, the ticket should still match the name on your passport.
If you can't get your updated passport in time for travel, you should consider waiting until after traveling to update that credential.
Hi,
I have seen you helped a lot of people the same question I am going to ask, but the reason of mine is to help others who faces the same issue in Maryland.
Last week when we filled up the Marriage License Form at Circuit Court there were no humans to ask any questions because of COVID. So we filled the marriage license form and dropped off in a box.
In the form we didn't find any option for changing the name, so when clerk called back my partner didn't ask the question of changing name. So next day he called the clerk to confirm that we didn't see the option of changing the name after marriage, so the clerk said "I will send you the information no worries". Then on the day of ceremony before vows I asked her again and she said she will send us the documents. After couple of days we received the Certificate of marriage which still reflects the name I had before marriage because no one asked any name change request nor we gave them any New name information yet, right?
So I find out your website where you were right about that we are not alone, we were thinking we did something wrong or there is some error from the clerk? However you explains that it depends on the state you live in, in Maryland you don't find the option of changing name on the marriage license form the time you applied neither you have name change option at the ceremony nor clerk asked us these questions any time of the process.
The name I had before the marriage reflects the marriage license, ceremony vows and marriage certificate. Confusion starts now….. I have checked multiple times the website of circuit court they did not explain how you are able to change the name, they just stated on the website that after marriage for changing name go to social security and DMV, submit the application along with the certified copy of marriage certificate.
We also find a yellow page form with the certificate which we have to fill and mail out to the circuit court, I think it’s for the request of the certified copy, in the form it still asks that print your name “which you had before marriage”. The package doesn’t contain any information about changing the name.
Definitely, people will confuse how come we can change our name if our marriage certificate reflects our old name (which we had before marriage).
However you explained on your website that marriage license/certificate itself is the authentic document to change your name because it has your husband’s name, if you want to change your last name, right? What if someone what’s to change her first name also along with the last name as husband name. example…
i.e husband name: Daniel Joseph & wife name: Sara Angel (before marriage)- Now I wanted to change as “Alisha Daniel”
I really appreciate your support and time you take to read. God bless you.
Exactly.
Not possible through marriage using your marriage certificate. Gotta go to court for that. Completely separate.
Hi I recently was married in Tennessee our marriage license only has my maiden name on it. I don’t remember seeing a spot to change my last name. We live in Ohio. Will I be able to change my name at ss and dmv using the license?
Hi Emily. New name spot doesn't exist in Tennessee. You'll be able to change your name fine.
Hello!
I got married back in March of 2020 and I did not change my name to my spouses name and kept my maiden name. I live in California and want to change my last name to his. How do I do this? Is it too late?
Hi Melissa. If you did specified your new name on your marriage license and it's reflected on your marriage certificate, use that to change your name as your normally would. If you didn't specify it at the time, you'll have to petition the court.
Hi
I got married in Toronto Canada 2016. My marriage certificate only reflects my birth name. I live in PA and would like to now take my husband last name. How should I go about this?
Hi Shiela. Use your foreign marriage certificate as-is.
I was married in 2020 and my name on my marriage certificate matches my birth certificate, but I was able to change my social security card and driver's license to reflect my husband's last name. Am I able to remove my husband's name from my name legally?
What do you mean remove? To reverse your name change? To your name before marriage? If so, you could request a name correction or reversal from the SSA.
The procedure is the same as changing your name. You'd use your marriage certificate as the validating document. But, you'll almost certainly face trouble when trying to undo your driver's license name change. For that, you'll have to get a court order.
Hi there! I was born in Russia and for the first 15 years of my life went by a name such as John Dough. When I was 15, my parents became US citizens and changed their last name to Doe. At the time, we had my birth certificate in Russian translated and notarized showing name of John Doe, which is what I go by now and have for some time.
When I got married, in NJ, the municipal township put John Dough as my name at birth even though I go by John Doe. When my wife wanted to adopt the name Doe, SSA told her the marriage certificate would have to be amended to show Doe.
The township sent a letter to the NJ State department to amend the license to show Doe, but they're asking for evidence of the name change. Given I was underage at the time and adopted my parents' name change (Doe), any idea what I can provide?
I understand my wife can go to the court and do the name change that way, but then I think the marriage license will always be an issue for anything we need?
Any help would be greatly appreciated, it has been a frustrating time.
How about your birth certificate? Short of that, your wife would have to get a court-ordered name change.
I got married by the court in NY and now I’m having my wedding next year on my marriage certificate it has my last name because the clerk gave me wrong info I told her didn’t want to change my last name yet but I will next year she told me to put down that I’m keeping my last name. Is there any way I can change my last name now?
Apply for another marriage license and get your marriage solemnized again. It'll override your prior marriage certificate.
Hi there! I got married in California and forgot to put my new married name. I live in Florida. Do I have to file for an amendment?
No need.
Hi! We live in CA but eloped in Las Vegas on Halloween. My birth name is Gee Vee but I changed it to Gee Vee (new middle name) Cee (husband's last name) on the marriage license. I'm regretting taking his last name. Can anything be done to revert back to my birth name? Do I legally have to change my DL, SS card, passport? If I have children can I give them my birth last name (Vee)? Or is that a bad idea since both my husband and my last name is technically Cee? Thanks!
You do not. Ignore you marriage certificate and your name stays the same.
No, it has to be your current legal last name.
I recently got married in Jamaica. When we received our marriage certificate, it shows my wife's maiden name only. Is that going to be a problem here in the states to change her last name to mine on all her important stuff, like driver's license, social security cards, etc.?
Hi Robert. Your Jamaican marriage certificate won't pose a problem for your wife changing her name.
So I missed the change the surname box on my marriage license in New York. I wasn’t 100% sure nor did the clerk ask to confirm it. Am I screwed with switching my name on all other documents or should having my certificate of marriage be good enough? I don’t want to waste money on hitch switch.com if it won’t work. Please help
Hi Mary. If necessary, you can apply for a New York remarriage license and start over.
My husband and I got married October 2019 in Oaxaca Mexico we are from California our marriage certificate doesn’t have a spot for new names so When i called SS office they said I’d have to petition the court, after reading this blog i feel like i don’t need necessarily need to go that expensive long route. Correct me if I’m wrong?
Also since i was married in Mexico do i need to do anything here to make the marriage be legal here in the U.S? In my wedding package i had paid to make the marriage legal which some people i talked to had said they didn’t think that was an actual thing that i had to do but since covid happened their offices closed apparently so they refunded the money I had paid for the legality Please help I’ve been going around in circus with covid most offfices being closed it’s made it harder to get all this figured out.
Do i need to make marriage legal here?
Can i still use my husbands last name without going through petitioning the court? And when SS offices open up just start there to change my name and then everything else?
You shouldn't have to petition. Foreign marriage certificates are valid.
If it was a legally performed marriage in Mexico, it's valid in the U.S. A certified copy of your marriage record would show that.
I'm not sure what this is referring to.
If your marriage in Mexico is invalid, you can get married in the states.
Informally, yes. Formally, you'd use a certified copy of your marriage certificate. But, it appears the validity of your marriage is in question.
Correct.
Hello, I got mArried in CAlifornia in 2002, On the license and certificate it has my maiden names, and now that i want to change it to my husbands, do i need to go thru court to change it? or will it be ok going to the social security office then dmv? Wi;; i have a problem? Thanks you
Hi Monica. You'll have to go to court.
I am in Arizona, we were married 1 year ago and I did not put a new name on our marriage certificate because we wanted to wait until we had a wedding with our family back east before I changed my name. Can I go straight to changing my name through social security or do I have to petition for a name change now? If I have to petition for a name change will this affect my birth certificate, I do not want it reissued with the name change.
Go straight to social security using your Arizona marriage certificate.
Not applicable, but even if you had to petition, it wouldn't affect your birth certificate unless you wanted it to. Meaning, if you had a court ordered name change, you could use it to update the name on your birth certificate.
Hello,
On my Marriage License and Marriage Certificate it shows my name exactly as my birth certificate, they never asked if i wanted to change it to my husbands last name, its been 10yrs and Now that we have kids, i want to change it to his, will it be ok to just go to social security office? How do i go about this? Thank you so much!
Im in California and Married here aswell..,
i got married in the court house btw..
Hi Veronica. You'll likely have to go to court as the Name Equality Act was in effect at that time. Are you certain you weren't asked? You can contact the county clerk to confirm this by having them look up the application record.
I just got married in Pennsylvania (same sex couple). The marriage license application did not ask for my new surname, so I completed it with my surname from birth. As a result, my marriage certificate shows my surname from birth.
Do I need to petition the court now to complete a legal name change? And if I complete the process though the court, is it okay that my marriage certificate will show my surname from birth?
I will get a new social security card and driver's license that show my married surname, but my marriage certificate will have my old surname. Is this the correct procedure?
Standard in PA.
That's the correct formatting. You're good to go there.
No need. Name change through marriage using your marriage certificate would work.
Not applicable. Even if you had to go to court, your marriage certificate wouldn't come into play.
That's correct.
I got married and changed my middle name and last name with social security. My middle name had one letter wrong since birth so I changed it with social security at the same time as my last name. No problem. Went to the DMV and they would not allow me to have my middle name changed. We live in Connecticut. What would I need to do?
Hi Dominique. You can inquire if the Connecticut DMV would accept a certified copy of your corrected birth certificate in conjunction with your marriage certificate.
Hello, I got married in TN and live there as well. I don't remember there being a spot for a name change when filling out my application but I am wanting to take my husband's name. My license is changed and so is my bank account, but trying to change it on my vehicle and at work is proving difficult since the marriage certificate reads my previous last name and not the one I'm opting for. What do I need to do?
There isn't any.
Your marriage certificate is good enough for federal and state agencies, but not for your workplace? They're asking for something that doesn't exist.
Do I need to provide my marriage license AND my driver's license with my new last name on it when changing my name on my vehicle and at work?
Hi Courtney. For work-related name changes, a copy of your marriage certificate should suffice. If you can provide additional ID (i.e., driver's license), that wouldn't hurt.
I go by my middle name. When I married (nearly 24 years ago), I dropped my first name and used my middle name, maiden name and married name. Have never had a single problem in all these years, but today I was denied a real ID. I live in TN and my marriage license is in Tennessee.
Hi J. The problem is you don't have a name change document that proves your name change. You were able to get an unconventional name change 24 years ago that probably shouldn't have been authorized. It wouldn't be allowed today.
Unless they're willing to make an exception for the length of time you've had your name changed, a new name change document will be requested. Specifically a court order.
Hi my husband and I got married in California 2007. I signed our marriage license with my maiden name. Since then I was able to change it at the social security office and dmv I put my maiden name as a middle name and added his last name as my last name in 2015. However someone recently told me that my name is what is on my marriage license so I’m confused because I was able to change it at the social security office and dmv I showed them my marriage certificate and they said nothing about me signing with my maiden name.
Hi Veronica. You're fine because the California Name Equality Act of 2007 didn't actually go into effect until January 1, 2009.
I live in CO and my wife and I also married 2 years ago and are now going about the name change process. Our request was denied due to the names not being correct on the Marriage Certificate. I relooked at the form, and it does not ask for a new name anywhere, so both of our birth names are listed.
Before getting rejected, I had no idea I was supposed to have a married last name on the form anywhere, and I don’t recall the clerk asking what our new last name would be. I am not sure what the next step is. But apparently the marriage license didn’t work for us with our maiden names. :-/
Colorado's forms don't list new names, so you didn't miss anything there.
You weren't.
They wouldn't, as it wouldn't be applied to the application, license, or recorded marriage certificate.
Which entity rejected your name change?
Hi, I got married in Louisiana and I didn't sign my married name on my marriage license. I want to go change my name with the social security office and dmv. Will my signing my maiden name stop me from being able to?
Hi Autumn. Signing your maiden name was correct. You won't face any problems.
Hi there. My fiance and I will be getting married in Maryland in the near future. Is it possible for my fiance to take my last name and make his current last name his middle name after marriage without having to petition?
Thanks for all your help!
Hi Jasmine. Yes, your fiance can take your last name and replace his middle name with his current last name.
I got married in MA in 2018 and now in TX. my marriage certificate has my maiden name. I didn’t want to change it at that time so used my maiden name on SSN, PR etc. now I want to change my name with my husband’s name.
So do i need to file petition or can I change it on marriage certificate? What will be the easiest way?
Thanks.
How can I change my name with my married name on SS,PR and passport? Just need to show marriage certificate but it has my maiden name.
Hi Monika. That's right. Just show your marriage certificate.
Hi Monika. You're alright using your marriage certificate, since you're in a state where that doesn't list your new name on their marriage certificates.
Hello again, I wrote a comment yesterday about trying to use my maiden and husband's last name both as my new surname. I want to use my maiden name professionally (and to buy an office, and practice dentistry under), and I will use his name socially. However, I'm not sure if I mentioned that my marriage certificate was issued in NY and I wrote his name as my new surname at that time (not thrilled about it there). Do I need to change the NY marriage certificate first? Thanks!
Hi Jane. In your previous comment you inquired about using dual last names, without a hyphen. You wouldn't be able to amend your marriage certificate for non-typographical errors. At best, you can apply for another marriage license and remarry. But NY doesn't permit space-separated surnames either.
Your legal name is your maiden name until you decide to change it with Social Security and on your driver's license. Just because you wrote it on your marriage certificate doesn't mean you're obligated to change it, it's optional for if/when you want to take your husband's name. Your name didn't automatically change.
Hi,
My husband and I have been married for over a decade. We are just realizing his middle name is incorrect on our marriage license. We were married and live in California. How do we go about correcting this error? Thanks!
Submit an amendment affidavit.
Hello from California!
Earlier this year, I petitioned for a name change to change my first name for personal preference and my last name to reflect my partner's last name because we were planning on getting married this year.
The petition has been approved and I've received paperwork from the court to change my name, but the issue is none of the government agencies are open so I can't go to the social security office to get my name changed. So legally, on my license and social security card, my birth name is still showing.
We just decided to get married in a few months and are planning to apply for my marriage license and certificate. My question to is – will it matter if my marriage certificate shows my original birth name? Since I will eventually get my name legally changed on my documents (social security card, license, etc) and my new name will be eventually be what I go by.
Thanks!
It won't matter, since you'll still be using your court order to change your name later.
Hello, I need some advice.
I’ve got married 16years ago and I put my maiden name on a marriage certificate. However, I want to change my last name to my husband name now. I went to the county marriage certificate office, but they said they can’t change my last name.
Right now, my social security card has my husband’s last name, driver’s license and marriage certificate have my median name. How can I change all of my name to my husband’s last name?
I am a permanent resident and have a green card. I want to change my green card name to my husband’s last name, but my driver’s license name is my maiden name, so I cannot apply for a name change… Thanks.
Hi Amy. Form I-90 is used to change the name on your green card. You'll use your marriage certificate for that. It may have your maiden name, but your new name can be derived from your husband's. Same goes for your driver's license.
Hi- I got married in Oregon (July 2018). At the time of completing the marriage license application, I thought I wanted to changed my last name to my spouse's last name, so I completed the license with the name change.
However, I never went through with contacting SS, banks, changing my drivers license, etc. I've decided I would prefer to just keep my maiden name.
Do I need to somehow change my last name back to my maiden name? Or, should I not worry about it because it's only changed on my marriage license and I never changed it with SS or the DMV?
No need.
Correct. Just ignore the new name on your marriage license.
Hello, my husband and I recently married in California. We were both planning to change our last names to his mother's maiden (he currently uses his 1st stepfather's last name), but at the civil ceremony we were told we can't do that there and would have to go to the clerk's office to get a name change. Since we couldn't change our last names then, we put our current names on our marriage certificate.
My questions are, do we both have to petition for a name change, or can I use our marriage certificate after he changes his name to get mine changed as well? Also, will we have to amend our marriage certificate after we change our names to show our new names?
Thank you!
You'll both have to petition.
Your marriage certificate is no longer good for name change purposes.
You don't have to. You couldn't even if you wanted to.
Hi. I got married in Hawaii in December. I hyphenate my last name.. mine then his. i haven't done anything else to change my name. My marriage certificate has the new name on it. I no longer want to change my last name and continue to use my maiden name. do I have to change my marriage certificate?
Thank you
Tonya
Hi Tonya. You don't have to change your name. You can ignore what you specified on your certificate.