Should you hyphenate your last name after marriage?

Hyphenating your last name allows you to maintain your identity while also accepting your spouse’s. Your friends, colleagues, and clients won’t lose track of you after your name change. Keeps your professional identity. Hyphenating can be great if you use your current last name for professional reasons.

Can you have 2 last names?

The use of double surnames is legal but not customary. Children traditionally take on their father’s surname (or, more recently, optionally their mother’s). Double names can be combined by taking one part of each. Either spouse or both can take a double name.

How do you file a hyphenated last name?

Hyphenated and compound last names are treated as one unit. Ignore the hyphen and file the two words as one unit. Name of individuals are transposed when filed as follows: last name, first name or initial, then middle name or initial. All Abbreviations in names should be alphabetized as though they were spelled out..

Do you need a marriage certificate for a hyphenated last name?

Once the wedding is over and you’re ready to adopt a hyphenated last name, you’ll need your marriage certificate to initiate the change. The document lets you legally take your partner’s surname or a combination of your two last names after marriage.

What happens to the marriage certificate after the ceremony?

After the ceremony, it’s the officiant’s responsibility to return the marriage license to the county clerk, either by mail or in person. After that, you’re all set.

What do you need to change your last name after marriage?

Once your wedding is complete, you will receive your marriage certificate which documents that you are your spouse are married. Your marriage certificate serves as your legal name change document which you will use throughout your entire name change after marriage process.

Do you need a hyphenated last name for a honeymoon?

So when you fill out and sign your marriage license, be sure to use your hyphenated last name, and if you pre-book your honeymoon, you will need to use your hyphenated last name for those reservations so they match your marriage license.

Do you need a marriage certificate to change your name?

Your marriage certificate serves as your legal name change document which you will use throughout your entire name change after marriage process. If you’re already married and can’t find your marriage certificate, check out our guide on how to get a certified copy of your marriage certificate.

When do you write your married name on a marriage license?

This is also called a double surname. In many states, when you fill out your application for your marriage license, you’ll be writing your intended married name on that application. It becomes a legal document after the marriage when the officiant files it.