Changing your name

While some brides have no question on whether or not to take their husband's surnames (a tradition which is common in North America and Europe), many brides and grooms struggle with this issue. For various reasons, a couple may decide to keep their respective surnames, adopt the bride's last name, combine their names, or make an entirely new name of their own creation.

The bride takes the groom's last name

This tradition is common in many European countries and in North America. There are several variations of this tradition, however. Some brides will opt to drop their maiden last names entirely (e.g. Helen Joan Casper). Some brides choose to drop their middle names and use their maiden name as their middle name (e.g. Mary Smith Jones), while others will keep their name and simply add their new last name (e.g. Mary Jane Smith Jones). Some brides will hypenate their first name with their middle name (e.g. Mary-Jane Smith Jones) or come up with an another name entirely (e.g. Mary Jane Smith becomes Anastasia Nicole Jones).

Because this is the custom in most countries, it is relatively easy for the bride to change her name. In the United States, the bride will first need to bring a copy of her birth certificate, her current government-issued photo identification (i.e. a driver's license or passport), and copy of her marriage license to the Social Security Administration. If she is not a United States citizen, she will need to obtain citizenship papers from the Immigration and Nationalization Service. After her name is changed with the federal government, she can then go to her local Department of Motor Vehicles and get her driver's license changed. To change her name on her passport, she will need to contact the U.S. Department of State.

The couple keeps their respective names

The couple may decide that, due to various reasons, it is best to continue with the names they had before the marriage. In this scenario, no legal action needs to be taken.

The groom takes the bride's last name

Because this is not traditional, the groom may need to make a legal name change through his local circuit court. The couple should review the laws for their particular area. Some areas require this, while others allow a groom to change his name as easily as a bride can change hers.

The couple combines their last names

If a couple chooses to hypenate their last names, both members will need to research laws for their particular area on how to change their names. In some areas, it can be done easily while others require a formal petition of the court.

The couple creates an entirely new last name

If a couple decides to choose an entirely new last name, both members will have to file for a legal name change through their local judicial system.

Things to consider

When considering which name change method, if any, is ideal given your situation you may want to take the following things into consideration.

• Are there children who may also wish to take the new name?

• Is there a pressing reason to keep association with your former name (e.g. professional associations, publications, etc.)

• Is one name particularily hard to pronounce or spell?

• Is one name associated with a painful or undesireable past?

All in all, the couple should both come to a consensus on who should change whose name and how they will handle it.

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