Name Change After Marriage: Complete Guide 2025

Changing your name after marriage is entirely optional—but if you choose to do so, your marriage certificate is all the legal proof you need in most countries. The process costs between $50-650 depending on your country and takes 4-10 weeks to complete all documents.¹ Here's everything you need to know about your options and the process.

TL;DR: Name change after marriage is optional in all English-speaking countries, with 70-80% of women taking their spouse's surname (2025).² If changing, start with Social Security (US, free), passport (UK, £94.50), or equivalent primary ID in your country within 1-2 months post-wedding. Complete process requires 2-3 certified marriage certificates ($10-30 each US, £11 UK, AUD $50-70 Australia) and takes 4-10 weeks updating all documents. Your options include taking spouse's name, keeping your birth name, hyphenating, double-barreling, or creating an entirely new surname together. Men follow identical processes to women in all countries. Your decision is personal—there's no requirement for matching surnames.

Your Name Change Options After Marriage

Take your spouse's surname (Smith becomes Jones), the most common choice with approximately 70-80% of women in the US, UK, and Australia selecting this option in 2025.² This traditional approach provides family unity and social simplicity, though it requires administrative effort updating all documents. Your spouse can also take your surname, following identical legal processes in all English-speaking countries. Men changing surnames remain less common (under 5%) but face no additional legal barriers.³

Keep your birth name with zero paperwork required, chosen by 20-25% of women in 2025, up from 15% in 2000.⁴ This option maintains professional identity, particularly valuable if you've published work or hold licenses under your current name. Children can take either parent's surname or a hyphenated version regardless of your name choice. No explanation to anyone is required—keeping your name is completely valid socially and legally.

Hyphenate both surnames (Smith-Jones or Jones-Smith) to honor both family names equally, chosen by 5-8% of couples in English-speaking countries.⁵ Both partners can hyphenate using the same format or different orders. Note that hyphenated names can create challenges: form fields often reject hyphens, names become lengthy on documents, and future children must choose which hyphenated surname to use or create unwieldy three-part names.

Use both surnames without hyphenation (Smith Jones as a double-barreled name), common in Spanish-speaking cultures but less familiar in English-speaking countries. This approach avoids hyphen-related form issues but creates confusion about which surname to use in alphabetical sorting. Booking systems and databases may only capture one surname, creating record-matching problems.

Maintain your legal birth name while using your married name socially with no formal name change required. This informal approach lets you use "Mrs. Jones" at social events while keeping your birth name on all legal documents. This creates no legal issues but may cause confusion when your ID doesn't match how you're introduced at events or addressed in correspondence.

Create an entirely new surname both partners adopt together, symbolizing your new unified identity beyond either family's history. This meaningful option requires a deed poll (UK, £53 enrolled) or court petition (US, $150-500) since your marriage certificate only proves your marriage, not adoption of an unrelated surname.⁶ Processing adds 4-8 weeks beyond standard name changes. Consider that this breaks genealogical connections and may complicate family dynamics.

Name Change Process by Country: Quick Comparison

United States residents start with Social Security (free, 2-4 weeks), then driver's license ($20-35, same-day), then passport if needed ($130-165 standard, 6-8 weeks).⁷ Order 2-3 certified marriage certificates from your county clerk immediately after your wedding, as most agencies require originals rather than photocopies. Complete details in our US name change guide.

United Kingdom residents update passport first (£94.50 online, 3-4 weeks) since the UK has no national ID system, then DVLA driver's license (free online, 3 weeks), then NHS records through GP surgery (free, immediate).⁸ Your marriage certificate serves as immediate legal proof at banks and employers while awaiting passport processing, allowing parallel updates. See our UK name change guide for step-by-step instructions.

Australian residents update passport first (AUD $422 standard, 3 weeks) through the Australian Passport Office website, then state driver's license ($30-90 depending on state), then Medicare through myGov (free, immediate).⁹ Priority passport processing costs additional AUD $300 for 2-day service if urgent travel is needed. Full process in our Australia name change guide.

Canadian residents update SIN first (free, same-day in-person at Service Canada) using birth certificate plus marriage certificate, then passport (CAD $160-260, 4-6 weeks), then provincial driver's license ($30-90 by province).¹⁰ In-person SIN appointments provide immediate processing versus 4-6 week mailed updates, making this the fastest option.

Universal Documents Requiring Updates

Government identification includes driver's license or state ID, passport (if you have one or travel internationally), voter registration (free in all countries), vehicle registration and title (if you own vehicles), and professional licenses (medical, legal, teaching, real estate).¹¹ Start with your primary ID (Social Security in US, passport in UK/Australia, SIN in Canada) because all subsequent updates require this document as proof.

Financial accounts include checking accounts, savings accounts, joint accounts created after marriage, credit cards (all cards in your name), investment accounts and brokerage accounts, retirement accounts (401k, IRA, Roth IRA, pension), student loans, mortgage or auto loans, and tax records.¹² Schedule in-person bank appointments rather than mailing documents, which can take 4-6 weeks and risks lost papers. Bring updated government ID plus certified marriage certificate.

Insurance policies include health insurance (update within 30 days of marriage, a qualifying life event), auto insurance (can qualify for married-couple discounts of 10-20%), home or renters insurance, and life insurance policies.¹³ Update all beneficiary designations on policies because these override will instructions and cause legal disputes if outdated. Approximately 15-20% of estates face beneficiary designation conflicts according to estate planning attorneys.¹⁴

Employer records include payroll and direct deposit, tax withholding forms (W-4 in US), health insurance enrollment, retirement plan contributions and beneficiaries, business cards and email signature, and company directory listings.¹⁵ Contact HR within 2-3 weeks of your wedding to ensure updates process before the next payroll cycle. Name mismatches between payroll and government records can cause tax filing complications.

Subscriptions and memberships include utilities (electric, gas, water, internet, phone), magazine subscriptions and streaming services, loyalty programs (airlines, hotels, rental cars), gym memberships, professional associations, alumni associations, and medical provider records.¹⁶ These lower-priority updates can happen gradually over 6-12 months without serious consequences beyond receiving mail in your previous name.

Detailed Cost Breakdown by Country

United States Name Change Costs (2025)

United Kingdom Name Change Costs (2025)

Australia Name Change Costs (2026)

Canada Name Change Costs (2025)

Making Your Name Change Decision

Professional identity considerations include published work under your current name (academic papers, books, articles), professional licenses requiring name documentation (medical, legal, teaching, real estate), business ownership with your name in the business name or trademark, and online presence and personal branding (LinkedIn, professional websites, social media).¹⁷ Changing after establishing professional recognition can affect findability and require recertification, typically taking 2-3 months through professional boards.

Family considerations include honoring your family name, particularly if you're the last person to carry it forward, your partner's feelings about name choices, cultural or religious expectations in your families, and future children's surnames regardless of your choice.¹⁸ No requirement exists for children to match parental surnames—parents choose at birth registration. Children can have either parent's name, hyphenated, or a different surname entirely.

Personal preference matters most in your name decision—this is entirely about what feels right to you. Consider your attachment to your birth name, how you envision your identity and family unit, whether having matching surnames matters to you personally, and simply what feels authentic and comfortable.¹⁹ There's no "right" answer, and your choice doesn't reflect your commitment level or relationship quality. Approximately 20-25% of women keep their birth names in 2025, up from 15% in 2000, showing increasing acceptance of all choices.⁴

Timing considerations include international travel plans (always travel with ID matching your bookings), professional certifications with renewal dates (time name changes around renewals), and your emotional bandwidth post-wedding.²⁰ Most couples wait 1-2 months after their wedding to start name changes, allowing honeymoon travel with matching documents and mental recovery from wedding planning stress. Emergency travel with mismatched documents can result in denied boarding or entry, particularly for international flights.

Keeping Your Birth Name: What This Means

Keeping your birth name requires zero paperwork, no fees, no appointments, and no processing time—you simply continue using your name as before marriage. This choice is completely valid legally and increasingly common socially, chosen by 20-25% of women and approximately 95% of men in English-speaking countries (2025).²¹ No explanation to anyone is required—your name choice is personal and not subject to others' approval or understanding.

Children can take either parent's surname regardless of whether you change your name, with no legal requirement for children to match maternal or paternal surnames. Parents choose their child's surname at birth registration by indicating preference on birth registration forms. Children can have the mother's surname, father's surname, hyphenated versions, or even different surnames from both parents if desired (though this requires additional documentation in most jurisdictions).²²

Professional benefits of keeping your name include maintaining recognition for prior work, avoiding notification to clients or customers, preventing confusion in your industry or network, and avoiding the 2-3 month recertification process for professional licenses.²³ Academic credentials, medical licenses, and legal bar admissions typically require formal name change documentation and verification through professional boards, creating significant administrative burden.

Social considerations vary by community and cultural context, with some families expecting name changes while others fully support keeping birth names. Traditional expectations have relaxed significantly over the past two decades, with keeping your name no longer considered unusual or making a political statement—it's simply one valid option among several. Communicate your decision clearly to family early in wedding planning to avoid surprise or disappointment later.²⁴

Your spouse's feelings matter and deserve discussion, but ultimately this remains your legal right and personal choice. Some partners have strong preferences for matching surnames while others feel neutral. Compromise options include socially using your married name while legally keeping your birth name, or hyphenating while your spouse keeps their name. Approximately 85% of couples report reaching agreement on name choices without significant conflict when discussed early and respectfully.²⁵

If Both Partners Want to Create a New Surname

Creating an entirely new surname both partners adopt together requires a deed poll (UK, £53 enrolled, 4-6 weeks) or court petition (US, $150-500 depending on state, 4-8 weeks) because your marriage certificate only proves your marriage to each other, not adoption of an unrelated surname.⁶ This process adds administrative complexity and cost beyond standard name changes but creates meaningful symbolism of your unified new identity separate from either family's history.

United States court petition process varies by state but generally requires filing a petition with your county court ($150-500 filing fee), publishing notice in a local newspaper for 4 consecutive weeks ($50-200, required in most states), attending a court hearing before a judge, and receiving a court order authorizing your name change.²⁶ Background checks are typically required, adding 2-3 weeks to processing. Total timeline runs 6-10 weeks from petition filing to receiving your court order.

United Kingdom deed poll process requires creating a deed poll document stating your new name and intent to use it, having it witnessed by two independent adults not related to you, and optionally enrolling it with the Royal Courts of Justice (£53, recommended for government document changes).²⁷ Unenrolled deed polls are free but may not be accepted by passport offices or DVLA. Processing takes 4-6 weeks for enrolled deed polls. Both partners must execute separate deed polls even if adopting the same new surname.

Practical considerations for new surnames include choosing a name that's pronounceable and spellable in your language, avoiding names that could cause professional confusion or ridicule, checking that your desired name isn't trademarked or associated with existing brands, and understanding that this breaks genealogical records and family connections.²⁸ Inform both families of your decision before proceeding to manage expectations and potential disappointment, though ultimately this remains your personal choice.

Children's surnames when parents create new surnames follow the same new surname by default, though you must specifically request this on birth registration forms. Some jurisdictions require additional documentation proving both parents' name changes when registering children with non-traditional surnames. Plan ahead by bringing your court orders or deed polls to hospital birth registration appointments.²⁹

Country-Specific Detailed Guides

For complete step-by-step instructions specific to your country, visit our detailed guides covering documents required, exact costs, processing timelines, office locations, online vs. in-person options, and common issues with solutions:

Complete US Name Change Guide covers all 50 states' requirements for Social Security updates (Form SS-5, free, 2-4 weeks), state-specific driver's license processes ($20-35, same-day to 2 weeks), passport applications ($130-165, 6-8 weeks), voter registration updates (free, 2-4 weeks), and bank account changes. State-specific variations include which states require vision tests for license updates and which states offer online Social Security name changes (21 states as of 2025).³⁰

Complete UK Name Change Guide details passport applications online vs. paper (£94.50 vs. £107, 3-4 weeks), DVLA driver's license free online updates (3 weeks for new photo card), NHS record updates through GP surgery (free, immediate), bank and building society requirements, and Council Tax notification. The UK process is simpler than the US because marriage certificates are immediately accepted as proof at all institutions while awaiting passport processing.³¹

Complete Australia Name Change Guide explains passport applications through Australian Passport Office (AUD $412 standard, 3 weeks), priority processing options (+AUD $300 for 2 days, +AUD $104 for 5 days), state-specific driver's license updates (fees vary AUD $30-90), Medicare updates through myGov (free, 3-4 weeks), Australian Taxation Office updates (free, immediate), and banking processes. Australia has the highest total costs among English-speaking countries, primarily due to expensive passport fees.³²

Canadian name changes begin with SIN updates at Service Canada offices (free, same-day in-person), followed by passport applications (CAD $160-260, 4-6 weeks), provincial driver's license updates (CAD $30-90 by province), and provincial health card updates (free, 2-4 weeks). The Canadian process is fastest when done in-person at Service Canada offices, providing same-day SIN updates versus 4-6 week mailed processing.³³

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have to change your name after marriage?

No, name change is entirely optional in all English-speaking countries and carries no legal requirement whatsoever. You can keep your name, take your spouse's name, hyphenate both names, or create an entirely new surname together. Your choice doesn't reflect your commitment level or relationship quality—it's purely personal preference. Approximately 20-25% of women keep their birth names in 2025, up from 15% in 2000, showing increasing acceptance of all valid choices.⁴

How long does a name change take?

The full name change process takes 4-10 weeks typically, varying by country and which documents you update. Individual document timelines vary: Social Security cards process in 2-4 weeks (US), driver's licenses update same-day at DMVs, passports take 3-4 weeks (UK) to 6-8 weeks (US), and bank accounts update within 1-2 weeks after in-person appointments.¹ Priority processing options exist for passports in Australia (+AUD $300 for 2-day service) and the US (+$60 for 2-3 week expedited service).

What documents need to be changed after marriage?

Main documents requiring updates include government ID (Social Security card in US, passport in UK/Australia, SIN in Canada), driver's license or state ID, passport (if you have one), bank accounts (checking, savings, joint accounts), credit cards (all cards in your name), insurance policies (health, auto, home, life), employer payroll records, retirement accounts (401k, IRA, pension), and beneficiary designations on all accounts.¹¹ Order 2-3 certified marriage certificates ($10-30 each US, £11 UK, AUD $50-70 Australia, CAD $30-50 Canada) as most agencies require originals rather than photocopies.

Can I change my name back if I regret it?

Yes, you can revert to your maiden name at any time using the same processes available for any legal name change: deed poll in the UK (£53 enrolled, 4-6 weeks), court petition in the US ($150-500, 6-10 weeks), or statutory declaration in Australia/Canada.³⁴ After divorce, reverting to your maiden name becomes even simpler—your divorce decree serves as legal proof of name change in most jurisdictions, eliminating court petition requirements. Many people change back for professional reasons or personal preference without needing divorce.

Does my spouse have to change their name too?

No requirement exists for matching surnames between married partners in any English-speaking country. Either partner can change (approximately 5% of men change surnames), both can change to the same name, both can change to different names, or neither needs to change.³⁵ Men changing surnames follow identical legal processes to women with no additional barriers or requirements. The decision is entirely personal for each partner, though couples typically discuss and reach mutual agreement about their approach.

Can I use my maiden name professionally but married name legally?

Yes, you can use different names professionally and personally with no legal issues. Your legal name appears on government-issued identification, tax documents, and official records, while you can use any name professionally as a business or assumed name (DBA or "doing business as").³⁶ This approach is common among professionals who built recognition under their birth name but want their married name socially. Introduce yourself however you prefer—no legal requirement exists to use your legal name in all contexts.

What if we both want to create a completely new surname?

Both partners can adopt an entirely new surname together, creating meaningful symbolism of your unified identity beyond either family's history. This requires a deed poll in the UK (£53 enrolled, 4-6 weeks) or court petition in the US ($150-500, 6-10 weeks) because your marriage certificate only proves your marriage, not adoption of an unrelated surname.⁶ The process adds administrative complexity and cost but many couples find this deeply meaningful. Inform both families before proceeding to manage expectations, though this remains your personal choice.

Is it cheaper to change your name after marriage than at other times?

Yes, marriage provides free legal proof of name change in most countries through your marriage certificate, while changing your name outside of marriage requires a deed poll in the UK (£53 enrolled plus document fees) or court petition in the US ($150-500 depending on state).⁶ Marriage-related name changes avoid court costs, lawyer fees, and newspaper publication fees required for non-marriage name changes. This makes post-marriage the most cost-effective time for name changes if you're planning to change eventually.

Can I change my middle name when I get married?

Generally no—marriage certificates only prove your marriage and thus only support surname changes directly resulting from that marriage. Middle name changes require a separate deed poll in the UK (£53 enrolled) or court petition in the US ($150-500), following the same process as creating an entirely new surname.³⁷ Some couples coordinate simultaneous surname and middle name changes by filing deed polls or court petitions that specify both changes, though this adds complexity and cost to the standard marriage name change process.

Do children automatically get the father's or mother's surname?

No automatic rule exists in any English-speaking country—parents choose their child's surname at birth registration by indicating their preference on birth registration forms. Children can have the father's surname, mother's surname, hyphenated versions combining both, or even a completely different surname (though this requires additional documentation in most jurisdictions).²² The choice is entirely parental preference with no legal default. Approximately 95% of children receive their father's surname, 3% receive hyphenated names, and 2% receive their mother's surname in the US/UK (2024 data).³⁸

Key Takeaways: Your Name Change Action Plan

Changing your name after marriage is entirely optional—approximately 20-25% of women keep their birth names in 2025, while 70-80% take their spouse's name, and 5-8% hyphenate.²⁴ If you decide to change, order 2-3 certified marriage certificates immediately after your wedding ($10-30 each US, £11 UK, AUD $50-70 Australia, CAD $30-50 Canada) as most agencies require originals rather than photocopies. Wait 1-2 months post-wedding to start the process if you have honeymoon travel planned—always travel with ID matching your bookings.

Start with your country's primary identification: Social Security in the US (free, 2-4 weeks), passport in the UK (£94.50, 3-4 weeks) and Australia (AUD $412, 3 weeks), or SIN in Canada (free, same-day in-person). This primary document enables all subsequent updates because banks, employers, and other agencies require matching government ID before processing name changes. Complete details for your country are in our US name change guide, UK name change guide, and Australia name change guide.

Update documents in this sequence: government ID first, then driver's license, then financial accounts (banks, credit cards, investments, retirement), then insurance policies and beneficiary designations, then employer records, then subscriptions and memberships. This sequence matters because each category requires updated documentation from the previous level. Budget 6-10 weeks for complete updates depending on appointment availability and processing times, though you can begin using your married name socially as soon as you're married.

If you're keeping your birth name, no action is required—simply continue using your name as before. Inform family and friends of your decision early to avoid surprise, though no explanation is required. Children can take either parent's surname regardless of your choice, selected at birth registration. For more post-wedding tasks beyond name changes, see our complete guide to what to do after the wedding covering thank you cards, document updates, and settling into married life.

Sources and References