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.
I got married in Missouri, when the person filling up the marriage license asked me if any name change would happen. I said, No. I wasn’t ready for this question, but after getting married. I realized I wanted to take my husbands last name. But my marriage certificate is with my maiden name.
Question, can I still change my name on legal documents with my husbands last name? Or have to file for a name change?
A certified copy of your Missouri marriage license alone is sufficient.
I didn’t sign my new name in Colorado. Was there a spot for new name?
And It’s my official marriage certificate is there any way to change that
Not possible and unnecessary.
Hi Candice. No, there's no new name spot in Colorado. You didn't miss anything.
Great thanks! Also, is there any time period you have to start the process of changing your name after you get officially married. Can you do it whenever?
Hi Candice. You can start as soon as you get your marriage certificate. You could even wait decades later. It's up to you.
Hello and thank you in advance for your wealth of knowledge about this topic. I am getting married in the Bahamas and reside in Missouri. I am wanting to have:
Stephanie 'Maiden Name' 'Married Name' (without a hyphen).
Will I then be able to use either last name without changing it legally?
If not, what are my options to be able to use both how I choose…if any?
Also, do you know if there will be a spot on the marriage certificate to decipher this, as we are told we do not have to obtain a marriage license before we get to the Bahamas??? Therefore I have seen no documents…
There won't be.
Hi Stephanie. You should be able to take on your preferred name using your marriage certificate.
Great! Thank you!
Hi! I scrolled through all the comments and didn't find this one. Thanks for responding to everyone!
My situation: married in California very recently, still reside there. Didn't pick a new last name at the time, but now would like to take my partner's. Do I need to go to court, or will our marriage certificate with my maiden name suffice? It sounds like California might be pretty strict if you miss it on the form the first time?
Hi Kris. Since you left the new name portion of your marriage application blank, you'll have to go to court.
Hi there, I got married in Pennsylvania. They asked me if I want to change my name and I said I wasn’t sure and asked if I could do it later. They said that would be fine. Now I decided to take my husbands name, the certificate states my maiden name. I had no issue with the social security office or DMV to change my name.
I read online Different opinions on if I have to petition a name change or just have to change my social security card and drivers license.
I just want to do this correctly since we will travel abroad to visit my family for christmas. (I have a green card, so am not a citizen. I don’t know if that makes any differences) I just want to make sure I have all documents for reentry.
Hi Christi. No need to petition. Your name change went through without a hitch.
Hello! I got married in New York a year ago and I wrote my husband's last name as my new surname on the marriage certificate. We're taking an international trip soon and my passport is about to expire, but I am still unsure if I want to take his last name (I have not changed my name on any other documents). Can I renew my passport in my maiden name (the name I am currently using)? And if not, is it possible to change my marriage certificate to remove my husband's name from the "new surname" line? You slightly touched on this in a previous comment from 8/15 expressing that it "could be a problem" referring to deviating from the name listed on the marriage certificate…Thank You!
Yes.
No, but unnecessary in your case anyway.
That was related to someone trying to change their name to something other than what was listed on their certificate. You're trying to maintain your existing name, which is perfectly valid.
Hi I’m getting married soon from Guam. I recently received my marriage license but it has my current name on it. Is that correct? What is the process of changing my last name once married?
I know I filled in the new name portion of the application.
It's correct. You didn't omit anything.
It's what you'd expect. Use a certified copy of your certificate to change your name with various entities, governmental and nongovernmental.
Hi I got married in Yerevan, Armenia. However I live in Canada, Ontario.
I signed with my maiden name & now want to change my last name to my husband's last name. Would there be a problem? And what are the legal steps to take. Thank you
Hi Rita. You should be able to change your name fine. Use your Armenian marriage certificate.
Hi, I got married in San Francisco, California 2014. Now I live in Sacramento.
I noticed my first name and middle name are slightly different on my marriage certificate (missing part of the first name), naturalization certificate/SS card/Passport (without middle name), and driver license (contain full first and middle name) .
It seems to me that the marriage certificate is very important. Should I use the exact name on it when getting the REAL ID since I have to provide full name and residency proof? Do I have to update the name on my naturalization certificate to match the marriage certificate? I am so confused!
Thank you!
If your marriage certificate is wrong, why not have them correct it?
You shouldn't match your certificate if it has a spelling error. Try getting it fixed.
Not if you don't want to. You don't have to change your name just because your certificate tells you to.
Hi, sorry I didn't make it clear. There is no spelling error. It is correct on what I have written on the marriage license application. And I decided not the use my husband last name.
The scenario:
last name=A
first name=B+C
middle name=D
The problem is on the marriage license application , I put middle name=D , first name only B. However my naturalization certificate/passport/SS card/birth certificate=A+B+C. Driver's license=A+B+C+D.
I read all the comments and not able to find anyone has the same problem that I can refer to.
I am confused and frustrated on which document is the most important of all that I should follow to make name change.
Please help me!
Hi Kit. If all your important documents are updated to your correct name, which appears to be the case, then you're fine. You don't need to correct your marriage certificate unless it's bugging you. It doesn't appear to be giving you any problems, so you can dismiss it.
I got my marriage license in November 2019 (last month) in Queens, New York. I was not sure if I wanted to change my last name at that time so I left it blank, but now I want to change it to my fiancé’s last name. We are getting married in 2 weeks. Can I still change it? Do I have to go in person again to change it? And will my fiancé need to go with me to change it? My fiancé lives in a different state.
Yes, go back and apply for a new marriage license.
Contact the city or town clerk to determine if they're willing to reissue you a marriage license with only one in attendance. If not, you'll both have to attend and apply all over again from scratch.
Hi, got married in Colorado. We didn't realize the clerk made an error leaving out one letter of my new last name, until I had to go get my ID & ss card, I needed to get them asap so I didn't have time to figure out how to fix it. So, years later & I want to fix it. Do I need to go to court & also pay? Thank you.
Hi Star. Contact the county clerk and recorder's office and have them issue a corrected marriage certificate.
Ok, so even if it's been like 5 yrs they can still fix it? I don't mind re doing my ss & driver's license again, as long as I can fix it. Thanks!
Hi Star. There isn't a time limit on corrections.
Thank you for your help! Greatly appreciate it!
I got married in NYC and had my new name printed by the city clerk on my marriage license. When I got the marriage certificate in the mail, it only shows my maiden name. Is their their error and what can I do?
It appears to be. You can contact the city clerk for a corrected certificate.
I got married 2 years ago in California and listed my husband’s name as my “desired” last name on my marriage license. But I later changed my mind and decided to stay with my current name. Am I in trouble? Does a marriage license legally change your name??
I haven’t used the new name anywhere or updated my name with any other agency.
No.
No.
If you haven't changed your name with any institution, your name hasn't practically changed.
Hello, I'm getting married in Michigan next month. I have my marriage license and the clerk told us to sign the marriage certificate part with our desired surname after marriage. Is that what will show on our final certificate?
And if I indicate a new name on the certificate, can I keep my maiden name on all my documents and records? I'm not ready to go throught he axle of name change now.
I will also like to know if I can use the licences as a proof of marriage and keep my maiden name on all other documents (eventhough I use my husband last name on the certificate). Please guide me on this, I'm very confused. Thank you!
Yes. It should show your prior name as well.
Yes, and the option to change later remains opens.
Yes, it's proof of marriage.
Hello! I got married in Georgia and our marriage certificate only has my maiden name. On the application I specified that I wanted my name hyphenated. I want to change my name on my passport, DL, and so forth. On the application for the passport it states to send in the marriage certificate and on the application to fill in the name as I want it to appear. Do I just fill out my last name hyphenated or will that be a problem?
Thanks
When you say "application" are you referring to the marriage license application or passport application?
Marriage license application. There was a space that they told me to put my name how I wanted it after I was married.
If you hyphenated on your application, that's how it should appear on your certificate. Perhaps it's time for you to contact the probate court to find out what went wrong and to get a proper certificate issued.
Thank you. So I wouldn’t be able to write it out hyphenated on the passport application and send in the marriage certificate?
Hi Carolina. You can, but if the probate court issued your marriage certificate with your new name missing, you're entitled to a correction.
Hi Valera,
I recently got married in California and did not change my last name at that time. Our marriage certificate does not show my new last name. Could I still go to the DMV and SS offices and change my last name for those locations?
Your website has been so helpful. Thanks you!
-Rachelle
Unfortunately, you can't use your marriage certificate at this point. You'll have to petition the court for a name change instead.
I got married two days ago in Louisiana. My birth name is Janet Lynn Smith. When i was married (1989-2010), I was Janet Lynn Gibson. After i was divorced, I eventually changed my name to Janet L Smith, first with Social Security and then on my passport and driver's license.
Notice that the middle name is just "L", not Lynn. Last week when the clerk made up my marriage license, she used Janet Lynn Smith from my birth certificate, not noticing that my driver's license is only "L". I absolutely will NOT take my new husband's last name, Jones. It's too much trouble to change names everywhere.
Will the fact that my marriage certificate (to come) will show Lynn instead of L cause me any problems with Social Security or any other governmental agency when i retire and go to collect Social Security payments as wife of Michael Jones?
Btw, the clerk advised that i will need to alert Social Security to the fact that I am married, even if there will be no name change
You can ask that the certificate be corrected and reissued due to the clerical error.
The SSA maintains a history of name changes. The "L" won't throw anything off. You'd be able to verify your identity even if it did.
That's true if you have current benefits that would be affected by marriage. If not, there's nothing to notify.
I called a few days later, and the clerk told me that they issue the certificate in the name that is on your birth certificate, no matter if you've changed it five times since then (which really seems like a good policy to avoid confusion). So there's nothing to correct.
I'm glad that I don't have to go to the Social Security Administration office.
Thanks!
Hi Janet. Glad you got it sorted out.
Just got married dec 2019,here in CA, didn’t change my last name. My question is can I use my husband last nme now, to update my dmv and ss? Should I just bring my marriage certificate as a proof that we got married?
Hi Niky. Unfortunately, no. You had to specify your new name choice when applying for your marriage license.
I live in California but am getting married in Las Vegas and want to have 2 last name with no hyphen. County Clerk's online application does not provide this as a drop down option. It only offers Maiden name, Married name, Maiden-Married, or Married-Maiden. If I simply select to not change my name at this time will I be able to change it to how I want later in CA?
Hi Anna. Yes, with the SSA, but you'll likely have problems with the DMV, as California's Name Equality Act doesn't apply to out-of-state marriage certificates.
Hi, I got married in San Francisco in 2015 and chose to keep my maiden name and left the new last name section blank. Now I'd like to change my last name to my husband's and we currently live in Illinois. Will Illinois except my marriage certificate to change my name since it doesn't have my new name on it?
Yes, that would work fine.
Hello, I have a marriage certificate from California where I did write in a new name to take my husband's surname and to drop mine completely. I never changed it through SSN, DL, etc. I now live in Texas and I had a change of heard and want to keep my maiden name as my middle name and drop my middle name which is just an initial anyway. Am I able to do this? And how?
Hi Alex. The SSA would use the new name on your certificate. TxDSP would want to have a name match with the SSA. So, you're effectively bound by that certificate.
Since you're not a California resident, it wouldn't hurt to try to convince the clerk in your home state to let it slide, but it's unlikely to be effective. The alternative is to petition the court for a name change.
I got married in November and signed my marriage certificate with my maiden name hyphenated to my husbands name. I would prefer to NOT change my name. I need to renew my passport.. If I do not change my name to be hyphenated will this cause issues for my passport renewal?
Not at all. It's fine to renew in your maiden name. You can renew it again any time afterward if you decide to make the change.
I recently was married in Utah and I signed my marriage certificate with my maiden name. I'm Worried now that when I go to change my name with SSA and the DMV they won't accept my married name since it's not on the marriage license. How can I get my last name changed?
That's standard in Utah.
They'll accept it.
Use your certificate as it stands and you'll be fine.
I got married 2018 in California. Only to find out a year and a half later that my first name is missing a letter on the official marriage certificate. I have been issued a new SS card and DL with my correct spelling first name and new last name. What worries me is renewing my passport. I have to send my marriage certificate in with the application and I don’t want it to be denied because a first name spelling error.
Hi Kaitlyn. You can contact the county clerk to issue you a corrected marriage certificate. If the clerical error was on their part, it should be free.
I got married in 2013 in texas and they never told me to sign with my husbands last name can i still change my last name?
Hi Ruby. In Texas, you're meant to sign with your current last name, not your husband's. It's not a problem.
Hi Ruby. In Texas, you're meant to sign with your current last name, not your husband's. It's not a problem.
I got married on 2007 in Los Angeles, CA and didn't change my name then. I Want to change my last name name, is it ok to do so with just my marriage certificate?
Hi Erika. Yes, using your marriage certificate will work fine. The California Name Equality Act of 2007 didn't go into effect until January 1, 2009, so you didn't have to choose a new last name when you applied.
Hello – I am in NYC and about to apply for a marriage license. I am still undecided on whether or not I will take by fiances last name. If i select to change my name on the marriage license, does that mean I MUST change my name on SS, license, insurance etc? Or will none of these agencies know I changed my name unless I tell them?
It's not mandatory.
They won't know unless you alert them.
Hello – I got married in CA but reside in NV. When filling out my marriage application, I put his last name as my last name but left the middle name blank (I was not given a middle name at birth). I would like to put my maiden name as my middle name and keep his last name. Will SSA and DMV accept this change or do I need to petition the court? If I need to petition the court, would it be the CA court or NV court?
Hi Natalie. You should be able to make the change fine. If you did have to petition, it would be in your state of residence.
Hi Valera. I came to USA from Russia and got married in 2003 in Florida. I got all documents including USA passport in my husband's surname.
I need a legal document from Russian Embassy and they are asking me for a Change of Name order from court to prove my identity, but Florida's marriage certificate and license has no spot for specification of the new name after marriage.
I went to the Court House few times and spoke to the clerk, they said no court will issue such order because my name already had been changed and I want to keep my husband's surname.
What would you suggest? Is there the possibility to amend marriage certificate? I put my previous to marriage last name in the blank for Bride's name, but on the marriage license spot "Signature of Bride (sign full name using black ink)" I signed with just my signature that has no specification of any name.
I went to a few attorneys and no one could give me any legal advise. In the Collier County Court House no one heard about amendment to marriage certificate forms. Thank you in advance.
Hi Galina. Can you get the circuit court clerk's declaration in writing (on their official letterhead) to present to the embassy? This would show what they're asking for is not feasible.
What is the legal document other than Marriage Certificate that can prove the change of surname after marriage? All my documents are currently showing my husband's surname.
Hi Galina. If your marriage license application didn't ask you to choose a new name post-marriage, then your marriage certificate will serve as proof of name change. Your new surname can be derived from your husband's.
I got married in Florida which doesnt give you the option to elect a new name on the marriage certificate. My question is can both my husband and myself change our last names?
Hi Claudia. You both may change.
I’m a New Jersey resident who was married in New York. I would like to start the process of changing the name on my social security card, driver’s license, bank accounts, etc. The last name on our marriage certificate is hyphenated, but now I’m considering taking my husband’s last name fully. Would we have to remarry and/or go through a lengthy court process to do that?
Hi Cris. You can go for the remarriage option. Otherwise, you'd have to go to court.
I got married in Michigan over a year ago, when I signed my Marriage License I signed with my husband's last name, and never legally changed it anywhere else. Over the past year I have decided to keep my current/maiden name. Do I need to change my Marriage license and certificate? And are they still valid even if they are signed with a last name I never actually took?
You do not.
They are valid and will remain so.
Hi. I just got my marriage license on Friday 2/7/2020 and will go turn it in on Friday 2/14/2020 .. I didn’t change my name because I wasn’t sure if I wanted to so I wanted time.
I told her I won’t be changing it yet and told my wife that I’ll have to think if I want to or not . My wife wants me to change it to her last name now … can I still change it ? And what is it that I have to do?
Do I have to wait until they do that process after Turing in the marriage license? I live in Oklahoma. Or did I already messed up ? I’m still thinking of having time to think about it
Hi Reyna. You have to choose your last name at the time of application. Otherwise, you'll have to opt for a civil name change through court.
Hi, I got married in Vegas in September. I reside in NJ. I took my husband’s last name and hyphen mine at the end. It’s been six months And I still haven’t changed any of my information to reflect the marriage certificate. Do I have to change all my paper work to my new last name. Is there a time limit ?
You do not have to change your paperwork over. There is no time limit.
New bride signed her new name not maiden name which is printed on marriage license. Will this be an issue for her
Hi Monica. It's not a problem.
Hello, sorry for my English, I'm originally from Russia. I got married in California in 1995, so there were no space box for new bride's name on my document at that time. And actually, I didn't want to change my name because I had and still have many ties with Russia – daughter, old parents, pension, as well as I didn't want to bother to change all my USA documents.
So after marriage I was using my maiden name for some period of time, not more then 2 years, I think. Later, my husband insisted on using his last name and I do it until now, all my US documents from until then are on my husband's last name.
Now I have a need to prove in Russia for several purposes that I am the same person with different last names. For example, I stuck with money transfer to my daughter, because she can't prove it's a gift from her mother (otherwise there is a pretty big tax on her).
The translation of marriage certificate gets us nowhere since there is no indication on name change. Before I had a stamp in my US Passport "also named as", but last time I got passport I was told they don't stamp it anymore.
What should I do? Please, help, I will appreciate it very much. I am sure I will face other "surprises" not known yet in a future without having some kind of prove that's I am is I am. Thank you very much in advance.
Ooops, I see Galina has the same problem…and looks like there is no way to solve "our Russian" problem…Obviously, me, Galina and other Russian fellows (well, why only Russians, all the people from all over the world) now in nowhere for the rest of the life…
Our children have no parents anymore and our parents lost us too…Try to joke but it's actually a nightmare.
Is it possible that there is NO any chance to have document about name change? Authorities in other countries cannot and must not know all US laws and nuances of different US states in addition. Valera, help us all, I beg!!))
Hi Sophia. You can try contact the SSA or DMV to inquire if they can provide a printout documenting your name change. Something that shows the before and after. It should have sufficient dates and biographical data showing you're the same person.
If that doesn't work, you may have to contact an attorney. Perhaps a sworn affidavit confirming your name transition with documentary proof (i.e., marriage certificate and ID).
Got married in NC and now moving to GA. Do I have to change my name through court action? Or can I take my NC marriage certificate (with only maiden name) to GA DMV and have name changed?
thanks,
Hi MG. Your NC marriage license will work fine in Georgia. No need to go to court.
Ok I’m confused. I live in GA. when I applied for my license I chose a new name but my license had my maiden name on it. I thought maybe it was because it states that this person is marrying this person so in that instance having my maiden name there would be correct cos I wouldn’t actually have my new name until after the wedding.
I didn’t think any more of it. However, I just got my marriage certificate and it also has my maiden name on it. What happened?? Will I be able to get the clerk to pull the actual application so they can see that I 100% entered a bake in the “name after marriage” field??
*name not bake 🤦🏾♀️
Hi Krystin. It's okay if it lists your maiden name, but it should show your new married name too. If that's not the case, you can request a correction, amendment, and reissued certificate.
Hey. I just wanted to say that the information you’re giving out for the state of GA might be incorrect; it was for Floyd County at least.
I just spoke with the probate court and they advised that the marriage certificate will show the maiden name alone, regardless of whether or not you picked a new name on the license application. What we have to do is take the certificate along with the certified license application that shows the name change request. That’s how we get our new name.
Such a silly process and the fact that they don’t tell you this upfront at the probate court is a problem!!
Hi Krystin. Thanks for sharing your experience. Georgia counties, like many states, have to design their own marriage applications and certificates. Some states have it standardized at the state level, which eliminates such inconsistencies.
Thanks for this. Helped a lot!
I got married two weeks ago in Las Vegas, but I live in California. When I applied for the marriage license, I left the part blank that asks for the new name after marriage. But I do want to change my last name. Is this going to be a problem?
Hi Ashley. You'd probably be fine with the SSA, but the DMV will see it differently. For the latter, a blank new name spot on your marriage certificate is a missed opportunity.
Hi I got married last week in Texas – I have only a marriage license as they said they use this also for the certificate. I live in Ohio and it has my maiden name – will this be a problem with changing my last name to my husbands? Also, how do i go about doing this??
Hi Megan. You can use a certified copy of your Texas marriage certificate to change your name in Ohio. The fact that is only has your maiden name is fine. That's standard in Texas.
Hello,
MN resident here, got married in Ireland in 2017. Our marriage certificate does not list a place for a new name (nor was there a place to include it on the application) nor does it contain our signatures but it is on the republic of Ireland's official paper/letterhead. It has my maiden name and my husbands name.
I need to 1. change my last name to my husband, and then 2. update my passport and DL.
If I take my certified marriage certificate from the republic of IE into the SSA office, will this suffice as documentation for a name change or do I need to see a judge because it's a foreign doc with only my maiden name? I emailed the county court and they sent me all the paperwork for a legal name change that required a judge's approval but it was clearly an automated email and didn't answer my questions specific to a foreign marriage certificate.
Thank you!
Hi Kelly. You don't have to go to court. Your foreign marriage certificate will be accepted fine for a typical name change via marriage.
Hi my name is Eileen. I got married in In MI October 2019. I decided to hyphenate my name name but now I’m regretting it because it’s so long and confusing. We are currently residents in IL and I’ve decided that I would like to remove the hyphen and have my husbands last name only. Where do I go to make this change and what will be needed from me?
Hi Eileen. If you've only changed it with the SSA, you can request a name correction to switch out your name as you'd prefer. If you've updated other documents, such as your driver's license, doing a switch back is impractical. In that instance, you're looking at having to petition the court.
Hi,
I was married in California in 1983. There was no space/line to show new married last name so marriage certificate only shows my maiden name. I did change my name with social security keeping my maiden name along with husband's last name at the end. Now I'm applying for a REAL ID and the marriage certificate does not match my SS card or my current D/L. Is that okay? Also, does the marriage certificate have to be a certified copy? I have the original….but it's not a certified original.
Thank you.
Hi Susan. Your legacy certificate will be accepted. It must be a certified copy.
I got married in California, March 2019. Both mine (maiden) and my husband's original names are on the marriage license. I left my "New last name" option blank.
What do i need to do to change my last name to my husband's with the SSA and DMV?
Hi Hacelyn. You'll have to pursue a name change through court. You can't amend your marriage certificate after the fact.
Hi, I married my husband in 2014. I did not realize at the time that I didn't have my amended birth certificate with me to use my current corrected first and middle name on the marriage license/certificate so on the marriage certificate is my first name and middle on the original birth certificate.
I now have the amended birth certificate with my current corrected first and middle name. Can I request the court to fix my first and middle name on the marriage certificate? Thanks!
Hi Rose. You may be able to get a simple amendment using those documents. You'll want to contact the office that recorded and issued your marriage certificate, which is usually the office that issued you your license.
I got married in Jacksonville, NC but I live in GA. Will I still be able to change my name with Social Security if my new name isn't on the certificate or license? I don't recall the application having a place to put my new name.
Yes, you will.
You didn't overlook anything. It doesn't exist on NC applications.
Hi, I'm getting married in AL and since my certificate has my maiden name, do I sign it on our wedding day with my maiden name or with my new name?
Hi Zowie. Sign your maiden name.
Thank you! And there will be no trouble getting my name changed with SSA even though the certificate doesn't signify my new name?
Hi Zowie. You won't face any trouble.
Hi,
I just got married in Florida on 3/26/2020. I am trying to get my name changed and have heard two different things about what is needed. When I went to the county clerk to get my marriage license, I asked if I should put my legal name or what I wanted my name changed to. They told me that I had to put the legal name (the one on my driver's license). When I got my marriage certificate, it only has my legal name and my husband's legal name.
Due to Covid the SS offices are closed so I have to mail in my documents. When we called the SS office, someone told us that our marriage certificate had to have the name I wanted my name changed to, but when I called my county clerk for clarification they said that my marriage license is proof of my husband's last name which should be enough for SS to change my last name.
I am just confused as to what is needed for me to mail to SS office. I know I need my marriage certificate (which only has my legal name and my husband's legal name), my passport (for picture/ identification) and my birth certificate to accompany the SS change of name form. Any help would be appreciated.
Hi Michelle. The clerk (which would be the circuit court clerk in Florida) was correct. You just need to send in your marriage certificate showing your current legal name.
I'm kind of in the same boat as Michelle, and you have probably answered this several times, but I just want to make sure since I have to mail things off instead of visiting in person due to COVID.
I got married on August 1 in SC but we live in NC. The license just has my current name (which is from a previous marriage) and my maiden name in another section. Nothing at all on there about new married name.
When I call my local SS office I was told I only need mail in the certified copy of my marriage license and the application for changing my social security card. Then this evening I started seeing things about how if it doesn't show the name change on the license then it may not be used as proof of name change.
It's been so long I don't even remember what an NC marriage license/certificate looks like or if it has a spot for new name but got nervous that maybe the SS worker just assumed it was an NC license rather than SC.
But, you are saying that the license NOT showing a name change will Still count as proof? Thank you for your help!
Some offices are now allowing appointments, if you'd rather go that route.
That's standard for North Carolina and South Carolina.
Certified copy of the marriage "certificate" not license, but we're probably just splitting hairs referring to the same document.
Refers to states that explicitly allow you to choose a new name after marriage on the marriage license application. SC doesn't apply.
It doesn't.
It wouldn't have mattered. The marriage and residency state could have been swapped and the SS worker would have been right.
Yes, as your spouse's name will be derived from the certificate. You're good to go to change your name. No roadblocks ahead.
Hello,
My fiancé and I are getting married this year in Oregon. He has decided he wants to take his families last name, which isn't his right now. So because we will both be changing our last name, can we just do this on the marriage cert? Or does he have to change his before that??
Thank you
Hi Alisha. He'll have to change it beforehand. He'll also need to update his ID before applying for a marriage license so that the new name is current and legal.
Hi,
I got married in Miami, Florida 8/22/2019. I am trying to get my name changed and have trouble figuring out what is needed. When I went to the county clerk to get my marriage license, I asked if I should put my legal name or what I wanted my name changed to. They told me that I had to put the legal name (the one on my driver's license). When I got my marriage certificate, it only has my legal name and my husband's legal name.
I’m not a American citizen and we live in NYC. I have a SSN and a NYC ID license. The SS offices are closed now, I have the option to mail in my documents.
I just don’t know what is needed for me to mail to SS office?!? My marriage certificate only has my legal name and my husband's legal name, do I have to go to curt to ask for the change before going to SSN?
I’m lost.
Thank you for your help and understanding.
Hi Dana. You don't need to go to court. Your marriage certificate as it stands is sufficient.
Thank you and stay safe!
Hello,
I just recently got married in the state of Georgia. When filling out the application I decided to put new surname as my husbands however I would like to keep my last name. Is this okay?
Do I have to change my last name on everything now or am I okay to leave my maiden name on all legal documents such as SSN and ID. Also will this present as a problem later when renewing ID’s and such.
Sure. Feel free to disregard the new name specified on your certificate.
You needn't change your name on anything.
It won't become a problem.
Thank you so much!
My wife and I (we are a lesbian couple) got married 2 years ago tomorrow. We only signed our birth names on our marriage certificate. We decided to go with my last name. How would we be able to accomplish this? We live in Texas.
That's standard in Texas, as it's the only option available.
Your marriage certificate is all you'll need.
Hi, I got married in March in NY but at the time I was not sure if I wanted to take my husband’s name so I kept my maiden name but now I sure I want to take his name. What is the process of acquiring his surname a month later?
Hi Alecia. Consider a remarriage marriage license or else you'd have to pursue a court-ordered name change.
Hi got my marriage certificate in Georgia in 2017…I filled out the application with my husband’s last name to use in place of my maiden name however the certificate shows my maiden name on it. I assumed that was how they are supposed to look in case you don’t end up changing your name like in most states but now I am thinking it was supposed to be printed with my new intended last name.
I am 1000% sure I filled out my husband’s last name in the field that asked what would I like my new name to be. If this was a clerical error would they fix it or accept by current certificate for legal name change docs?
Hi Lauren. They should issue you a corrected certificate without charge. They can lookup the application on file to confirm the clerical error.
Hello – I was married in California in February of this year. When applying for our license I filled out the section for NEW NAMES with my first, middle and last name (hyphenated: my maiden name and my husbands's last name).
I just received my marriage license and will be heading to SS office soon for name change.
BUT, I never use my first name and would like to drop it completely ….I go by my middle name. For my middle name I'd like to use my maiden name. For my last name I'd like my husband's name.
Since my marriage certificate doesn't state this what are my options?
When changing your name using your marriage certificate, it's all or nothing. Therefore, your sole option is getting your name changed through court.
Hello !
I got married a few months ago, January in CA. I didn’t change my last name in that time. We just moved to VA and I decided that I want to change and add my husbands last name. How do I proceed ? Can I still change for my husbands last name ? If yes, how ?
Do I have to change my name in my marriage license or just fill a petition for a name change on the court here in VA? There’s any problem to change here since my marriage license is from CA. I’m so confused
Thank you
Hi Nyki. You don't have to go to court. A certified copy of your California marriage certificate will work fine in Virginia.
But my marriage license has the option for the new name but o didn’t put at the time. Do I have to change my marriage license ?
Hi Nyki. If you were living in California, you'd have a problem. Now you're a Virginian, so the restriction doesn't apply.
Hi Valera!
My wife and I married in Las Vegas in December 2017, but at the time we thought it was best for her to keep her last name, but now she wants to get my last name. We live in CA, but married in Nevada. I went on their website, and there's a form for correction. Do you think that form will suffice? Or is there another method that is more accurate? Thank you very much!
Hi Ismael. The correction form isn't meant to be used to retroactively add a new name.
So, what should I do in this situation?
Hi Ismael. Your marriage certificate should still work fine since it's from out of state.
My husband and I got married in N.H. he has a hyphenated last name, on the marriage certificate I took his full hyphenated name but now only want to take one of the last names. Do I need to amend the marriage certificate, petition the court, or will the ss office and dmv not care?
Hi Irma. They'll want to use the new name on your certificate, so you'll have to petition.
I got married in Texas. My marriage license and certificate have my maiden last name. I want to change it to my husband’s last name. Can I just go to SSA and request a new SS card with his last name?
Yes, you can.
I got married to my husband while stationed overseas in Japan and when translated there was never a place on the form to change my last name to my husband's. Will I be okay to change all my documents to my new last name?
Yes, you'll be fine.
We recently got married in Tennessee and we live in GA, I put my maiden name on the the application for the marriage license because it asked for current name. On my marriage certificate it has my maiden name but I want my husbands last name, can I still change my name with social security and DMV even though my maiden name is on my marriage certificate?
Hi Valerie. Yes, your Tennessee marriage certificate will work fine in Georgia for name change purposes.
My wife and I are trying to change our last names in Florida. We want to do a combination of my wife's last name and my mother's last name.
I currently have my father's last name. I was raised by my mother so I feel my mother's last name is actually more accurate to who I am. The trouble is that I've never had my mother's last name. So essentially, both my wife and I want to change our last names to a name that neither of us have had.
My understanding is that both my wife and I will need to petition for a legal name change through the courts. Since we want to switch to name neither of us have had previously, we can't use the marriage certificate to change our names.
Does that sound correct? It would be nice if I could get a legal name change, and then my wife use the marriage certificate to change her name without needing to go through the petition herself. I don't believe that is possible though because the marriage certificate can't be updated even after a legal name change according to my local clerk of court office.
So no matter what my wife and I both need to petition for a legal name change? Do you know if there would be any troubles if we both try to change our names at the same time? Or would it be best for us to change one at a time?
Hi Steven. You've got it mapped out correctly. Your marriage certificate would no longer come into play. You'd both have to petition the court separately. You may be able to have your hearings held simultaneously. That's up to the court.
I got married in California, but left the new name box empty because I was not planning to change me name until later since we were working on a Visa for my husband. I am not ready to change my name, but that box is empty. Do I need to have that filled in before I apply for a new Social Security card?
Hi Megan. In California, no new name specified would preclude you from changing your name through marriage.
I just applied for my marriage license and there wasn't any place to put my new surname. I used my maiden name for the license. (I'm in Anderson County, TN.) Do I need to reapply to change my name after the ceremony or can I use the license with my maiden name?
Hi Mary. That's standard in Tennessee. You needn't do anything.
I recently got married on June 4th in New Mexico. I accidentally hyphenated my maiden name and my husbands last name, and didnt notice until we got the papers back from the county clerk when I wanted my maiden name to be my middle name. Do i need to do an amendment or how shall I go about this?
Hi Autumn. You can request an amendment with the county clerk's office you applied in.
Hello, I got married in North Carolina, but on my marriage certificate it’s doesn’t state my new last name. I live in California will I be able to change my documents?
Hi Celest. You'll be able to change your name fine. California understand that other state's design their marriage certificate differently and won't hold it against you.
Hi – Just went to get my name changed at the CA DMV, they said nope. Married in PA, had official certificate but they said it didn't reflect the name change so they couldn't do a CA driver's license in my married name. Is that correct? Do you know what steps do I need to take now? I would like to have ID with my correct name soon.
Hi Vee. That's odd. They should understand they're not dealing with a California certificate. Pennsylvania doesn't have a new name spot on their license or certs, so what they're demanding isn't possible. Can they even back up their position in writing? You may want to ask for a supervisory override or try another office.
Hello! I currently live in TX and plan on getting married in Vegas this fall. My name on my birth certificate and SS card is currently Elvia X Y Z, with X and Y both being my middle name. All of my records, passport, tax returns, DL, nursing license, credit cards, bank accounts, etc only list my name as Elvia X Z.
I have never used middle name Y. It is actually my mom's maiden last name. Therefore, when I apply for my marriage license, do I need to include middle name Y or can I just leave it as Elvia X Z as that is what my DL shows and that is what I plan on showing them at the clerk's office?
I do plan on changing my last name to my fiance's last name, and NV gives you the option to do so on the marriage license. Do you know if it is your new married name or your maiden name that shows up on the certificate?
I basically don't want to run into trouble obtaining new records if I use Elvia X Z without middle name Y since it is on my birth certificate and SS card, but not on another other document I've had.
You needn't include it. Neither your social security card nor birth certificate is required to apply for a Nevada marriage license.
Yes.
Both will appear.
Hello,
Me and my wife got married in Michigan a few years ago. In our county on the clerk website it says you may sign the certificate with the name you intend to use. (Macomb county). My wife signed it with her first, middle names and my last name but she has not changed her name on anything else (Like SSN or ID). She now doesn’t really want to change her name. Is there a time limit she would have to change it by? Or can she just never change anything and stick with her original last name forever? Does this have any effect on the legality or our marriage??
Thank you
Hi Frank. There's no time limit. She needn't change, ever. There's no legal consequence for not changing.
Hi. I live and got married in CA. I don’t have a middle but my maiden name was added as my middle name and my husband’s as my new last name on the marriage certificate.
However, I don’t want to use my middle (maiden) name and have it reflected on my SSI or driver’s license. I just want to use first and last name. The SSI office says they use the exact name on the marriage certificate. Can the married certificate be changed or amended?
Hi Lia. Unfortunately, your marriage certificate cannot be altered to drop a name.
Thank You for replying.
Hello,
I read through the comments and you have somewhat answered this above, but I want to confirm. My husband and I both married in California and changed our names to First Name (as given), Middle Name (my maiden name), Last Name (his last name) in the "new name" section.
I am pursuing my name change as listed on the marriage license/certificate but we were not planning to legally change his name to add a middle name because that may complicate some trusts that he is involved in with his parents. My questions are:
1) do we need to legally change his name to add a middle name and then follow through on changing his names on all documents to reflect the addition of a middle name?
2) if not, will our marriage license still be valid if he never adds the middle name legally?
3) are there any situations where it might get complicated that he has added a middle name on our marriage certificate but never filed for any name changes with any agencies?
4) in your opinion, is it better to include his full name (including new middle name) on those trusts now that we have a document that does in fact have a change in his name?
Thank you in advance for your time!
Not mandatory.
Yes.
No.
Use his current legal name, not the new name on the marriage certificate.
Recently got married in Michigan signed my marriage license with my maiden name. Can I still change to my husbands last name? Will the marriage license with my maiden name work to change at social security office?
Hi Rach. Yes, your marriage certificate will work fine in Michigan. That state doesn't have a new married name spot when applying for a marriage license, so you're good.
Is it the same in HI? I don’t remember if they had a new name section and signed with my maiden name. Thank you
Hi Gianna. Hawaii should have a section that asks for your new name post-marriage.
What about Tennessee?
Hi Brittany. It's not asked in Tennessee.
I have the same problem, but with Utah. I don't think they had they had a new name section, but I can't remember and I signed with my maiden name.
Utah doesn't.
Hey, trying to renew my passport and now I’m all confused about legal names and stuff. My marriage certificate (5 years married) says my maiden name. No one told me shit about any of this process. But I did go change my social security name to my married name, just added my husband’s last name at the end. (I don’t know how they lay me do that…) but now I don’t know what to put on my passport application.
I don’t have any proof of a legal name change that I know of… and it sounds like I can’t just go back and change my social back to just my maiden name… will that impede my passport application if my social and marriage certificate name are different???
That's likely not a problem.
You could change it to match, or keep your name unchanged.
Your marriage certificate is proof of your name change event. It doesn't necessarily have to spell out your new name verbatim. It can be derived from the document.
You technically could with the SSA. It's called a name correction. It's basically a name reversal. You'd use your marriage certificate. However, it's really only practical if it's the only document you've changed your name on.
The names don't have to match.
Getting married in California (putting his last name on certificate), but relocating to Utah soon.
Can I just change my last name when I get to Utah?
Is there a time limit to a name change in Utah after marriage?
Thank you!
Hi GB. Yes, you can get married in California then change your name in Utah. No, there's no time limit.
Even though the new name is on the marriage certificate, would there be any issues that could arise if I just decided to not got through the hassle of changing it?
From what I have read so far, seems to not be any issue for the most part, although not sure if that's the case in all states.
Thanks for the help!
Hi GB. Skipping the name change is a non-issue in all states.
Hello! I have a unique situation and am looking for any kind of help that you could possibly give me. I got married in April 2018 in NJ. I took his last name as far as the marriage certificate goes, but I never actually changed my name on any other type of document like SS card, Driver's license, Passport, etc. All of those items still have my maiden name.
I was under the impression that I could change my name on those types of documents at any point. However, sadly, I am now filing for divorce, and I used my maiden name on all of the paperwork because again, I never changed any of my official ID's to my husband's name.
Should I be filling out using my married name or maiden name? There is an area that asks about "permitting the plaintiff to assume the use of the name of ________________ " (the name that you would like to assume after your divorce/dissolution).
Do I need to write that I wish to assume the use of my maiden name or is that not necessary since the only thing that ever had my married name was my marriage certificate? I'm so sorry for my complicated situation.
Correct.
This is proper, since you've never formally change your name.
Maiden name.
That's for folks who've changed their name and would like to have the judge restore a prior name. That section doesn't apply to you.
Not applicable. Not necessary. You could write in your maiden name or leave it blank. It's all the same.
I cannot thank you enough. You were so thorough and gave me all the answers that I was seeking. I appreciate your help so incredibly much.
Hello, I’m getting my marriage license tomorrow, followed by a marriage ceremony at the courthouse in California.
On the online marriage license application I repeated my maiden name as my “new name”. My question is: can I still correct it tomorrow with the clerk and add my husbands last name to mine?
And if so, next question regards the technicality of my future last name. My birth last name is already hyphenated (X-Y). Can I ‘swap’ the second part of my last name (Y) for my husbands last name (R) crating X-R?
The clerk may be willing to reissue you an updated certificate without charge, but be prepared for the possibility of reapplying and paying the license fee all over again.
Yes, you can.
I got married in Puerto Rico 8 years ago and because nobody changes there last names in PR I didn’t either. But now my husband and I have made the decision of doing so. I would like to know the steps we need to take from here.
Hi Heidi. The steps are the same as if you just got married. Get a certified copy of your marriage certificate to effect a name change with the various government institutions.
Hello, I got married last year in Michigan and decided that I wanted to keep my maiden name and that is how I signed my marriage license. Now we are having a child and I've decided I still want to keep my maiden name as my legal last name, but I would like to change my middle name to be my husband and son's last name.
Can I use my marriage license as proof of name change for my MIDDLE name? Even a year later?
Hi Abby. You can change your name as you prefer. The fact that a year has passed is immaterial.
Hello. I have 2 questions,please assist? I'm originally from South Africa and last year got married in Ohio. My husband is a US citizen.
Our marriage certificate came back with my maiden name. Since I didnt have anything with my husband's last name, I have been using my maiden name for all applications I make like SSN, permanent residence card etc.
If I want to start using my husbands last name do I still need to go to court to petition a name change and go through that process? Do I just make new applications with my husbands last name and show my marriage certificate as proof even though it still has my maiden name?
Hi Sino. You'd use your marriage certificate.
Hi I need help!
My husband I got married in New York State. When we got married, I chose to keep my maiden name, because at the time, I was still in college and wanted my maiden name on my degree.
Now that I am out of college, I would like to take my husbands name. I am wondering how to go about this. Am I going to have to petition the court to change my last name now, because I chose to keep my maiden name after marriage? Or can I just send my original marriage certificate with my husbands name and they can derive my new last name from his name?
Hi Somer. You'd have to petition.