The I do's have been said, and the rings have been exchanged.  If you haven’t already made this decision, what will your name be now that you’re married? 

Traditionally, a woman getting married changes her last name to her husband’s, but it’s not always like that now.  Many women are choosing to use both their own last name and their husband’s in a hyphenated manner, and some husbands are agreeing to use this new combined last name.  Legalzoom makes an easy to use online name change kit.

There are even some men who take the last name of their wife when they get married!  Not all of the same rules apply across the board with regard to name changing, so you may want to consult your local municipality.

     

To begin, as soon as you are married and home from your honeymoon, make multiple copies of your marriage license or certificate.  You will need this to show proof that you have gotten married to most agencies with whom you wish to change your name.  Most importantly, you want to start with the biggest document that will require the change – your social security card. 

Form SS-5 can be obtained through the Social Security Administration website, or you can go in person to your local Social Security office.  There are some places that will want to see the new name on your social security card before changing it within their organization.In some places, it is just as easy for a man to change his name. 

There will be a spot on a form that allows you to indicate your new names –the man, the woman, or both.  In some jurisdictions, however, even though a woman can just indicate her new name on a form, if a man is changing to a hyphenated name or to his wife’s name, he will have to go before a judge in civil court.