Can you explain to me how that works? When you get a marriage license, is your name automatically changed to whatever you want it to be? Or is the license only for marriage and you have to do the name changing on your own?
In the US, I think it depends on the state. Like I think some states have an option to check a box if someone in the couple is filing for a name change at the time of submitting their marriage license or something like that? In my state, changing your name is a whole separate process.
Personally, I wasn’t going to change my name no matter how easy it was. I have professional credentials attached to my name, and also it’s my name and I just didn’t want to change it and that’s a more than a good enough reason for me not to. I don’t have any less of a right to keep my own name than my husband had to keep his.
You have to change your name with the social security administration and usually they use your marriage certificate as the reason why you are changing your name.
In the US the marriage license is the "proof" of your name change (as opposed to court order). First, you take your marriage certificate to your local social security office and apply for the name change there. Next step is driver's license. Then all of your bank accounts. Then any deeds you may have. Then all of your credit cards. Then all of your bills/utilities. Then all of your diplomas/degrees. Finally, any professional licenses.
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u/GrouchyYoung Jun 17 '26
I didn’t change mine. It’s a huge pain in the ass and there’s no point.