Name Change After Marriage in Florida
Changing your name for whatever reason in Florida is not as straightforward as many might think. Here are a number of things you might want to know.
Marriage Name Change Options
In Florida, around 80% of all married women change their names, although it is not the simplest process. However, after marriage you have a number of options to consider when it comes to name change, particularly if you are not interested in maintaining your maiden name after going down the aisle. These options all work great with our name change kit.
Take husband's last name
About 85 percent of married women in Florida simply drop their maiden names and take up the last name of their husband's. It's still the most clear-cut, common and traditional choice, even in Florida. The name change process through marriage is the same, whether taking your spouse's last name as-is or choosing a less traditional option.
Hyphen or space
Rather than drop your maiden name, in Florida, you can also add the name of your partner onto yours. You have the choice to use a space or simply hyphenate between both surnames. Name change in this case can be done in any order, but traditionally the wife's name appears first.
Both spouse names
For professional women who have been busy publishing academic papers, creating and running business, building strong reputations and names in diverse industries, dropping a name might not be that easy.
If your name is associated with an important part of your professional life, in Florida, you are allowed to use both the name of your husband and your maiden name in various places. Name change is not obligatory after marriage and remaining with a maiden name hardly means your feelings for your spouse have waned.
Surname combinations
Another popular way of approaching name change in Florida is combining both the surname of the man and woman after marriage. Nonetheless, this requires undergoing a legal process to have the changes accepted.
The most common practice is merging two surnames into a single name shared among the two of you. For example, if the husband's last name is 'Bond' and the wife's 'Iron', the merged surnames would create something like 'Ironbond.' The legal process might be clear but takes a bit of time and it's always important to start earlier; perhaps before you get married.
Maiden to middle
A married woman in Florida also has the option of taking the surname of the husband and moving her name to the middle. This does not require a legal process, but only a marriage certificate to be effected. In fact, in this State, the only time you need a legal name change is when you are not taking the last name of your husband.
Husband taking wife's
In Florida, a man can also take the last name of the wife, but this has not always been the case. Back in 2013, Lazaro Sopena married Hanh Dinh and took her surname "Dinh", using the original marriage certificate. Over a year later he was accused of fraud for changing his name to his wife's. Nonetheless, this was overturned after a legal process and the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles in Florida has been training its employees to realize name change after marriage works either way.
Name Change after Divorce in Florida
In Florida, a legal name change after divorce requires that you collect a number of documents that includes proof of identity, such as a passport, state ID and driver's license, a birth certificate, hospital record or adoption decree as a proof of age, and a Florida divorce decree's certified copy. In case the divorce decree copy is not there, the Divorce Records Request Letter comes in handy. The Birth Certificate Request Letter can also help if you don't have a birth certificate copy.
Does your divorce decree actually restore your previous name?
Look at the divorce decree and identify whether a name change provision is included. In case there is not a provision for that, you only need to call the court that dealt with the case and request for an amendment of the document. However, amendments are not allowed in all Florida courts. If the request for amendment is denied, simply go ahead with a name change petition.
With divorce decree in hand, commence changing your name
Once the legal documentation has been granted by the divorce decree for a name change, you should go ahead and let government agencies know the new name you are using. Government offices that must be notified include the Department of Motor Vehicles and the Social Security Office. Start by seeking approval of the new name on your Social Security card before taking the certificate to the DMV office for name change on your driver's license.
Return to a previous name
In Florida, you can also return to a previous name you were using before marriage, during divorce proceedings. On the divorce forms you can also indicate you would like a restoration of a former name. In case you would like a former name restored, the Judgement of Dissolution of Marriage order has to be written by a judge using the full legal name that has been restored. With the order, approach the social security office for a quick name change.
The social security administration might request a birth certificate, official document or passport that indicates you are citizen of the United States, and an identification that still bears the name before divorce. The process of name change is usually free while the divorce process is ongoing.
However, after the divorce has been finalized, name change requires a petition for a name to be changed after the fact. Generally, Florida law hardly distinguishes between name restoration after divorce and changing to a wholly new name; you might need to part with $400 to file the petition for a name change.
General Adult Name Change
Florida courts only accept change of names for very legitimate reasons. The process of adult name change in the State begins with petition filing within the circuit court in your jurisdiction. You must also file your fingerprints officially with the petition unless you are restoring a previous name. Once the petition has been filed it's possible for a hearing to commence immediately.
Requirements the name change petitioner must fulfill
For the adult name change petition to go through, you need to meet a number of requirements. This includes being a resident of Florida and living in the County where the filing of the name change petition is being done. The petitioner need to be 18 years of age minimum and should have no illegal ulterior motive for seeking a name change; the action should not be infringing on the privacy, patent, partnership, property rights or good will of others. Your civil right should not have been suspended. If so, they should at least have been restored fully before going ahead with the petition.
Fees for the adult name change petition could be $400 or more.
What to do once your court order is granted
The court issues an order or Final Judgement once it finds every legal requirement has been satisfied. This means you can take up the new name. File the Florida Name Change Judgment that has been signed by the judge and, for a little fee, ask for certified copies. With the certified copies approach the Social Security Office for a name change of your social security card before doing the same for the Department of Motor Vehicles so that the name on the driver's license can be changed.
Child Name Changes
In Florida, obtaining a child's name change starts by filing a petition with the Superior Court within the locality where the child resides.
Conditions to meet for changing your child's name
To change the name of a minor you need a number of requirements to be satisfied, such as the minor being a resident of Florida and living within the County where the petition is filed. The minor must also be younger than 17 years of old and both the petitioner and minor should not have an illegal or ulterior purpose, and that the granting of the name change will not infringe on the rights of anyone. A written consent is required for the name change from the adults who are legally the minor's guardians.
Who decides for the child? One parent, both parents, or guardian?
Guardian ad litem, legal guardian or parent can file the petition. If it's just a single parent who has filed for the name change and the other parent has not signed the Change of Name of Consent form, the other parent needs to be served with the details.
In case the other parent is a non-resident, the court can authorize through publication a constructive notice. It's possible for the hearing to be immediate after filing, and if the court is certified about the name change for the minor the court issues an order and the child can assume the new name.
Change of Name on Birth Certificate
In case you have gone through legal name change through a court in Florida, a legal name change report is forwarded to the court clerk office within a month where the birth record is amended. The original record of birth or birth certificate must be attached to the name change report from the court. However a $20 non-refundable fee is necessary for the record's amendment. This applies both for death, birth and paternity amendments.
It means that once you have petitioned a court for a name change legally and it has gone through, you can request a birth certificate's certified copy just like you would order a normal birth certificate.
Social Security, DMV, Passport, IRS Name Changes
Update your social security card first
Once you have a new name, legally changed, request your documents to reflect this. The first process involves getting a new social security card. What you need together with the court order that legally changed your name is a State identification, passport, driver's license-photo IDs-together with a birth certificate. You can then apply for a fresh Social Security card.
You don't have to appear there physically since mailing a certified court order copy is acceptable, including other required copies. The new Social Security card should arrive in about 10 days once the request has been processed. Usually the Social Security Administration will update records in about 72 hours after your request has been received.
Next, change your name on your driver's license
It's also important to update your driver's license in Florida within 10 days, but you must wait for the Social Security Administration to process your request for a change of name first.
Follow through with remaining governmental/non-governmental institutions
After changing the name on the main governmental requirements such as Social Security and DMV, other documentation should also follow. These includes changing the name you have used in bank accounts, IRS, voter registration, mortgages and leases, credit cards, passport, PO boxes, medical offices, car title, among many others.
After these have been done and your name has been changed on all important documents, continue the use of the new name everywhere, including signing checks.
Additional fees to change your name
Remember that name change in Florida comes at a fee, where a driver's license costs $25, $2.50 for a vehicle registration card, $75.25 for an electronic vehicle title and $2.50 for a printed vehicle title. Tax collector offices in Counties will also ask for another $6.25 fee.
Using a Chancery Court to facilitate your name change
According to the 2015 Florida statutes on name changes, Chancery courts can now complete a name change for an individual in Florida for a petition filed in the petitioner's county of residency. Before a Florida court hears a name change petition it's now required for petitioners to have submitted their fingerprints for a nation and state check on criminal history unless the process is a restoration of a previous name. The court will use the results of the check from the FBI through the Department of Law Enforcement in determining whether the petition should be granted. Criminal history checks and processing fingerprints fees are the responsibility of the petitioner.
Recognized Name Change Documents
There are different types of documents required for a name change in Florida. These includes a certified copy of marriage certificate for marriage name change, certified copy of divorce decree for divorce name change, court order for general adult name change, United States resident identification such as driver's license, state IDs and passport, criminal history and finger print checks (done by the court through the Law Enforcement Department but paid by the petitioner), signed consent from the parents of a minor or legal guardian among others that a Florida court might request.
Hi, I dropped my maiden name and took my husband’s name 18 years ago when we married. I would like to bring my maiden name back and hyphenate my maiden name-married name. Is this the same name change form? I wouldn’t need fingerprints, right? No biggie if I do but just checking.
Hi Cristy. This would be considered a general adult name change. You'll have to go through the court system and same procedures as anyone else, including fingerprints and court fees.
Wondering how much it would be to add a apostrophe to a name. Daughter was young and didn't think about till she got her permit. The hospital forgot the apostrophe. They have catlin instead of ca'tlin.
Hi Tina. Your daughter would have to pay whatever the court fees are to file a name change petition, which is roughly $400 plus a few extra fees.
Hey. I got married to my spouse who is a US citizen. I’m from Germany and I’m still waiting on my greencard. My application is still pending. I would like to change my name now before getting the greencard so we can save all those extra costs. USCIS said I can do that.
My questions are: Can I change my name without having a greencard yet? What documents except for my passport and marriage certificate do I have to present ? Where do I have to go to ?
Hi Julia. You'd have to go to court, but it's no guarantee a court will change it before you obtain legal residency.
I'm wanting to change my first and last name when I get married in few months, was lead to believe I could with out having to pay anything extra but after everything I've been able to find I'm a bit confused. Can I change my first name right along with my last name?
Hi Codie. You'd have to petition the court to change your first name.
I'm getting married in New York in March but I live in Florida and that's where I would do the name change. I want to add my maiden name as a second middle name and take my spouse's last name. So I want to go from "Katie [Middle] [Maiden]" to "Katie [Middle] [Maiden as 2nd Middle] [His last name]". Is this possible without petitioning the court?
Hi Katie. You would have to petition the court.
I'm in Orlando, and taking my wife's last name in October. I would like to change my middle name while I'm at it, but I'm not sure of extra steps or circumstances. As my father was adopted, and my name reflects nothing about my genetics, which i have since discovered, I would like to change my name.
The only available middle name change option is to replace it with your birth surname.
I got married in December in Florida, and on the marriage license I wrote just my maiden name. I would like to hyphenate my last name with my husband's. I'm still confused about how to do this. Do I apply for an amended marriage certificate with the new hyphenated last name on it? Or can I just take in the marriage certificate (with my maiden name) to the SS office and have my name changed there? Or do I have to go into court?
Florida marriage certificates simply reflect what was specified on the marriage license and the marriage application before that. Since the application doesn't provide a spot to specify a new name, the maiden name or current legal name is what would be shown.
Yes, just take your certificate as-is.
I just got married in FL and want to change only my last name. The first step is bringing my marriage certificate (which only has my current old name) to the social security office and filling out their form to get a new social card correct?
I do not have to file a petition with court first right? Online has different things
Hi KR. You've got it right.
Hi, I am transgender, and I want to legally change my first and middle name to be correct, but I am getting married in October and will be taking on my fiancé's last name. Would it be easier/cheaper to change it all at once when we get married, or should I change my first and middle name now, then my last name when we get married?
Hi Roxas. You wouldn't be able to change your first name as a result of marriage. You'd have to go to court for that. If you were to go to court, you could change any aspect of your name, including last.
I got married 3 years ago, how do I changed my last name to my husband's last name? is there a form I need to fill out? I want to change my name on my SSN as well on my driver's license. Which one should I change first?
Hi Ana. Take a look at the procedure and social security article.
I'm not seeing anything in here about same sex couples regarding name changes, I've heard the process is slightly different for us here in Florida.
Hi Andrew. It shouldn't be different. There were problems reported several years ago, but since then the DMV instituted policy changes to deal with it. Have you heard about this being a problem recently?
Question. My husband was born in PR and has a hyphenated last name. Our marriage license states that because that is his official name. However, social security said I only had to take one and allowed me to take the paternal one. I don’t want a hyphenated name. Social security said it was fine because our marriage license doesn’t specify new married name.
I have been to three DMVs who are telling me I need to go back to social security and get a new one because it doesn’t match his last name on our marriage license. OR for him to go through and change his name to one last name – not going to be easy.
I have my temporary social security card with my new name – DMV won’t give me a new license with this name.
I’m in Florida.
Suggestions?
I don’t feel it is correct that I need to go back to social security when it was already approved.
Hi Ashleigh. The DMV can do this because they're state and the SSA is federal. They both operate on a different set of rules.
I am going through the same thing. I have changed my name in my SSN and have had it like that for 2 years. Everything I have filed federally has been with that name.
Can the DMV still deny me a drivers license?
Also They already gave me a drivers license with just my husbands first last name but are now saying that I need to change my name or he needs to change his. If not, they will suspend my license.
They can. They're sometimes in sync with what the SSA allows, but it's not guaranteed.
Wow. I lived in NJ and my marriage cert reflects my husbands maternal and paternal last names. However hes never used his paternal last name. Even his license says his maternal only. So I went to ss and they approved me as his maternal last name. Then I went to DMV in NJ and my name reflects my name on my ss card, his maternal last name. No problems.
Then I move to fl and after YEARS of never using his paternal last name they're denying me a license saying I have to go to ss and change my last name to hyphenate BOTH of his last names!! My last drivers license reflects just the one last name! How can they do this???
I’m in a similar situation as ashleigh so are you saying it can be done at the dmv?
Hi Yaritza. The DMV can deny it even if the SSA allows it.
My husband and I got married Dec 30th 2017 in FL… He lives there and I live in GA still due to money. However on our marriage license it only shows my maiden last name. There was no spot for us to sign after we were married. Is that correct or did we not do it right? Please let me know how it should work.
You filled it out correctly. Florida marriage license applications don't provide a spot to specify a new name after marriage, therefore the issued license and certificate wouldn't specify it either.
Hi. My wife and I got married in Florida in 2015. However we did not know that we would have to get a court order to change our last name to our mothers' maiden names hyphenated. (Ex: henry-smith). Applying for a name change is pricey. My question is 'do we have to both apply for it or can just one of us apply? And once approved the other takes the new last name. Is this possible? Thanks for your time!
Unfortunately, that wouldn't work. You'll both have to file separate petitions.
Thank you for your assistance!
Hi. I'm very confused and I've received a few different answers on how to change my last name to my husbands name after marriage. We were married back in 2008 and I didn't know to sign his last name and drop my maiden at the time. And on top of that my husband has two last names on his birth certificate but he only signed the marriage paper with one of them. Of course I want to use the name he didn't use. We recently had a child and I'd like my name to reflect the same. Some say to just start using my husbands last name. I went to the court house and they said it's a 400 fee to name change. I can't get my point across to them with it being a marriage related name change… what can I do?
Hi Lynn. Today's Florida marriage license application doesn't provide a spot to specify a new last name. It's probable your 2008 application was the same, which would result in only your legal names being reflected on the license and certificate.
If you want to change your name to just a portion of your husband's, you'll have to go to court. If you want to take his entire last name, your husband should contact the circuit court to have the marriage certificate amended to reflect his correct and complete name. You can then use the reissued certificate to push through a regular marriage name change.
Hi, I just got married, and I didn’t know I could have written on the marriage license application my husbands name that I had planned to take. I want to take his surname. How do I go about doing this and do I have to pay a fee?
Are you certain of this? I do not believe Florida's marriage license applications actually provides a spot to specify a new last name.
It doesn’t. But based on information received by third parties, I was told to do so. But how do I get my husband last name? The license was filed by my wedding planner.
Hi Shauline. It doesn't matter that the license or certificate doesn't reflect your new name choice. You can still change your name as you'd prefer.
Obtain a certified copy of your marriage certificate from the clerk of the circuit record that issued and recorded your license. It'll cost you about $7. You can also order a copy from the Florida vital statistics office for about $5.
Use that document to change your name with the necessary government institutions.
my husband and I just got married and would like to combine two names as our middle name and for me to adopt his last name.
i.e. ME: first name, change middle name (maiden + his family name), his last name
HIM: first name, change middle name (my maiden + his family name), keep last name
Do we need a court order or is this covered by our marriage license?
Social Security Said okay, but DMV is giving us problems.
Hi Jules. You'll need a court order.
I currently live in Louisiana and my fiancée and I want to combine our surnames to make a new last name. Is this possible to do if we get married in Florida and go back to Louisiana to have our SS card, drivers license, ect. changed? Or would it be simpler to go to Georgia for this process? Or California for this process. We are open to the state we get married in as long as we can combine our surnames in a relatively simple way. Thank you in advance, this website has been the best resource on the web!!
Hi Michelle. How are you trying to combine? Hyphenation? Space-separated?
We want to take a portion of her last name and a portion of my last name and combine them to a new last name. Example: Her 'Stonehurst' + me 'Finbridge' = new 'Stonebridge' as are last name.
Hi Michelle. That combination isn't possible without a court order.
It is in CA
That's true, if she were planning to change her name in California. However, she lives in Louisiana.
I live in orlando I changed my middle name to my maiden name and took on his last name as mine when I got married, since then I have had a baby girl and gave her my previous middle name as her middle name. I would like change my middle name back to the previous middle name. Do I have to have a court ordered name change?
Yes, you would have to go to court.
So I'm getting married in three weeks. I was wondering if I could adopt my grandmother's maiden name as my middle name and take my fiancé last name.
Hi Brittany. No, that wouldn't be possible without going to court.
Getting married for a second time. I did not change back to maiden name after divorce. I want to keep divorced name and new last name for the purpose of important documents and children. Is this possible?
Hi Sherry. You can hyphenate your current last name and new spouse's surname.
I too kept my ex-husbands last name for the purpose of my children. However when I get married I do want to take my new husbands last name without giving up the same last name as my kids. My question is, do I have to hyphenate the two last names or can i just have two last names without hyphenating and use them interchangeably.
Hi Rachel. You can change your name as you'd like, but you'd only be able to use them interchangeably on an informal basis.
Hello, How can I change my Last name (Rodrigues) back to my Maiden name (Dancu) and my Husband last name (Rodrigues) to my maiden name (Dancu) Thanks
Hi Crystal. Are you looking to undergo a second name change? If so, you'll have to get a court order.
i've been married for 24 years and would like to use both my married name and maiden name. My maiden name is not on my marriage certificate. legally I would like to have all of my documents to reflect both names. What is the process to make the name change and how much woul it cost? Will the request need to be submitted in the same city that I got married in?
How long will I have to wait for a reply on this site? this will be the second time that i've posted on this site.
If you haven't changed your name after marriage, you can do so by obtaining a certified copy of your marriage certificate and using that when visiting the various govenment institutions.
If you have changed your name after marriage, you'll have to petition the court to change it again. It'll cost around $400.
No.
You can see the reply to your previous question on the maiden name article.
Hi
I live in Miami Florida and I’m getting married feb 2018. I currently go by my middle name and never use my first name. – which has always been a hassle because everything legal says my first name , Barbara. But I use Blair.
What is the best thing to do about a name change? I’d like to change my name to this order: middle name, first name, husbands last name.
So can I do all at the same time ? Or should I do one before the other? I can’t do a name change before feb because I need my current passport for my honeymoon.
Hi Blair. You'd have to petition the court to change your first name. You can flip your first and middle name using the same court petition. Once you get the court order you could change your name on your passport and other documents before or after your travels.
I got married back in April in Florida. My husband and I both would like to change our last names to his father's last name (he does not have his father's last name as of now). Because we are both essentially adopting a completely new last name would we both have to petition the court to change our last names, or would he only have to petition the court? I could I simply use our marriage certificate to change my last name at the DMV?
Hi Brittany. You'd both have to petition.
I am getting married in 1 month and I am a bit confused.we live in Florida. At what giving moment is it that we tell them what name we want to have? When you get your marriage license or when you get your marriage certificate ? I want to take on my fiancée last name but my marriage license has my maiden name.
Hi Lola. If the marriage license application had a spot to specify a new name, that's where you'd place it. It wouldn't be done on he marriage certificate. If no new name space was provided, then you'd use your eventual marriage certificate as-is to effect a name change.
Hello, I can't find any information about how to change my last name to my husbands last name here in Florida if i'm not a resident yet and want to make the change before I start the filling process for my residency. I ask about it in the court when we where getting the marriage license,if I should just put my fiance last name as mine as well on the marriage license and was told that the change done after I get the certificate as a proof then change it at the DMV, and then I ask again when we were filling for the marriage certificate and was told that with the certificate I just need to go to the DMV and change it, but the DMV have no records on me as I haven't start the residency process yet. so my question is how do I change my last name as a non resident so i'll start the process for residency with my new last name?
hi Julia. You may be overthinking it a tad. Once you obtain a certified copy of your marriage license, take it to the various institutions to register or change your name.
Hello
Me and my husband recently got married and my husband wants to change his last name to mine. However, both of us want to change are middle name to commemorate the occasion. He has two middle names he would like to delete and replace it the one new name. I would just like to add the new name. How would I go about this? Do I have to go to court and how much would something like that would cost?
Hi Tanya. You and your husband would have to go to court. The cost could hover around $400 apiece.
hello
me and my fiancé will be getting married soon in Jacksonville, he wants to take my last name, is there anything special that we need to do, other then going to the dmv with our marriage license and changing his florida ID? or does he have to file for a name change?
Hi Marie. There's nothing special to do. Just change it using the normal procedure.
Hello,
I married in 1986, I took his husband's last name; he died in 1989; but only until now I'm interested in changing back to my maiden name. Also, I'd filed for bankruptcy-Chapter 7 in 2015, there was a judgement in 2016, but the case had to be re-open right after I got the judgement because the lawyer did not entered in the case 2 liens pending on my house; as of now I have not received judgement.
What do I need to change to my maiden name and do I have to wait until the court completes the bankruptcy judgement ?
Thanks,
Diana
Hi Diana. You'll have to change your names through the court. Consult with your attorney to determine if you should wait to process your name change until after your bankruptcy judgment has completed.
Hello,
I am about to go completely nuts with this whole name thing. I am from Spain and we have no middle names there. I, however, have a double first name and a double surname (dad's and mom's). To accommodate for the USA, I do not mind to put the second part of my first name as a middle name, I spell it out all the time anyway. So my name is First, Middle, 1st last name, 2nd last name.
Almost 7 years ago, I moved under a fiancé visa and my hubby and I thought it could help for me to have his last name. So with all the pressure I did the mistake to change it in the greencard papers so now I have First, Middle, Hubby's last name.
All these years I have regret the situation and I thought that I could change it back to my birth name doing the citizenship. On the other hand, I do not know if it is very socially accepted to have two surnames separated by a space, no hyphen. I have read all sorts of horror stories of people with either space or hyphen how they have around 40 versions of their name, or that put one as a middle name, or some systems may not recognize the space or the hyphen.
However, other people report having no issues except some occasional explanation that their 1st last name is not a middle name. We live in Florida now. I know the laws allow it for me to have two surnames but will I go crazy by doing the change and have issues all the time the rest of my life? Thanks for the input
Hi Aloma. I doubt you'll go insane with the name change and handling it. If you're having to go to court, they're not concerned about what you're changing it to and how you'll format it. Like you said, you'll have to just correct people if they mistake one part of your name for another.
I wasn't to add another language with a hyper does this take the same court steps as a full name change?
Hi Joesy. What do you mean another language?
I am adding my maiden name to my daughters last name prior to the 1 year mark as an amendment to birth certificate. We have chosen to double barrel (maiden married).
I have already changed my last name to my married name post marriage, however I will also be adding my maiden to my last name as a double barrel with no hyphen (first, middle, maiden married). Could you please confirm that this is possible in Florida. (Child's last name as a double barrel and mine)
Hi Linds. Yes, both are possible. You'd have to go to court to change your last name.
How long after you get married do you have to change your name. I'm unsure what I want to do.
Hi Pamela. There's no time limit.
When my wife and I got married she dropped her middle name and used her maiden name as her middle name and took my last name. She has applied for a state job and this has confused them. They are telling her she must do a court name change but can't tell her why. What law or policy covers this? The department for the marriage, licence, the DMV, and Social Security all recognized it as legal. Why isn't the State of Florida DOC doing so?
Hi Philip. Unless they can site the statute that says they're in the right, I don't know what they're basing this on other than their own internal rules.
If I do NOT take my husband's last name, what must i do legally if anything? Thank you for you time.
Nothing.
Do I have to be legally divorced to have my maiden name restored?
Being divorced along isn't enough. Your divorce decree must contain an order restoring your maiden name.
Hi!
I have been married since 2003 and never changed my maiden name to my husband's last name. I would like to legally change my name now that we have children. Am I able to bring in my marriage license now…14 years later and go through the procedures…or will I need to pay $400 to legally change my name after all these years later. If so, what office do I contact to pay and proceed?
Hi Monica. You should be able to change it the regular way without going to court.
Hi. I would just like info about two things.
1. Im going to marry my fiance, but i want to adopt her child. The biological sees her once a week but I've pretty much been her primary care for 2 years along with my fiance. How do i go about this?
2. I would like to know about process to change or hyphonate the child last name to mine. (child is currently 3) thank very much.
Hi King. Check out the adoption guide on the Florida Department of Children and Families website. Generally, child name changes are done as Superior Court petitions. You can inquire about this process during the adoption process.
Hello. Nice blog!!!
I getting married soon. and I want to use my husband name and my name.
My name is Carolina Vargas my husband full name is Anderson Petrucci Taboada
Can I change my name to Carolina Vargas-Taboada?? or Carolina Petrucci Taboada, Carolina Taboada, Carolina Vargas Petrucci Taboada … to many options .. wich one is the easiest and economic to get?
Hi Carolina. Those options are possible, except for taking your spouse's last name as your middle name.
Hello – I would like to add my maiden name as a second middle. When getting married in 2014 I changed my last name and kept my middle name. I would still like to keep my birth middle name but add my maiden name as my second middle. Is this possible in Florida? I believe my marriage certificate has my maiden name on it as when I got married I was not sure if I was going to change my name or not. If two middle names are possible, would this require a legal name change or because I am not changing my last name and my marriage certificate still has my maiden, could I do a standard name change through SS, etc. ?
You'd have to do a legal name change through the courts.
Thank you for your response. Does the hearing for a legal name change require you to be present in front of a judge? There is absolutely no way around a legal name change with this situation? Just adding a maiden to middle.
Hi Sarah. Yes, you would have to show up to your hearing in person. You do have to go to court, as there's no workaround.
Hi – I was married last month, and I changed my last name to my husband's name on my social security card, no problem. I also wanted to drop my middle name (so I have no middle name), and they did that for me. When I went to get my driver's license, they said they couldn't drop my middle name – that I would have to have a passport that shows this. I showed them the social security card, but they said that wasn't enough. I'm so confused. If you can move your maiden name to your middle name, couldn't you also drop your middle name when you get married? And how do you officially do this? Thanks for any advice.
Hi Melissa. One's federal, while the other's state. The regulations are different. Dropping your middle name isn't an option with the DMV. You'd have to get a court order to compel them to follow through.
If I have two last names no hyphen on my social would I be able to do the same on my driving license?
Hi Ally. Yes, you should be able to.
Hello and thank you for your time..
I have a question of : when being in court order done finals in divorce as returning back to maiden name as requested and was told I have a year to get it all correct back to my maiden name.
What happen if I do not do not change back to my maiden name before year up?
Hi Niki. I don't know you're referring to. Are you saying your divorce is final and your decree suggested you had a year to revert?
Nice article but I just want to confirm that I am understanding it correctly; I do NOT have to take my husband's last name when we get married, is that correct? We are both Florida residents, are both seasoned adults with an established yet humble life stye together and at our age I do not relish having to go through all the name changes (at work, SS, utilities, contracts, banking, etc). For insurance and pension purposes as a married couple I would venture to guess the marriage license would suffice in indicating that we were married but that I kept my last name, am I correct?
That's correct.
It would be the marriage certificate, not the license.
Hi I have to.reanew my license ! Do I need a marriage certificate to keep my husband's name .that I already have .EXCEPT marriage license, thank you DEE!
P.S. I'm already divorced! But WANT to.keep my husband's name? Dee! Do i.need a marriage license to keep it.i have every other document. Thanks
Hi Damaris. Just because you divorced doesn't mean you have to return to your maiden name. If you did change your name with the SSA, then the HSMV may insist on you renewing your license to match what's on your social security card.
Hi! I'm getting married in June. I never had a middle name and want to add one when I get married. I live in Florida. Can I do it?
Thanks,
Jane
Hi Jane. You can add your maiden. Otherwise, you'll have to petition the court.
Hi, I am getting married at the end of the month and have been divorced for a few years. I have the amendment on my divorce decree to go back to my maiden name but have not got around to doing it. I am not planning on taking my spouses last name but either hyphenating or just keep mine. (maiden name.) Can I do this during the marriage or do I need to go through the official change back before-hand?
Also, my spouse is trans and she still has not legally changed her name to her female preferred name. Is there a loophole to do this during the marriage? Thanks ahead of time!!!
Yes, you can do this as a marriage-based name change. There's no need to use your divorce decree to return to your maiden name first.
No, there's no loophole available.
I got married in Florida 16 months ago. At the time I thought it would be easier just to keep my maiden name. But now I regret it and want to take my husband's last name as my own. What should I do to get it changed.
Hi Susan. If you don't already have one, order a certified copy of your marriage certificate. Use that to change your name with the SSA, HSMV, etc.
Does Florida issue a formal marriage license after the marriage certificate is processed by the state ? And if they do, do they automatically use the last name of the husband.
We were not informed at the county court house that she could have put my last name on the marriage certificate, instead of her last name, as her new married name, do we need apply for a name change ?
Hi Mike. Florida typically issues a certified copy of the marriage certificate around 10 days after the marriage license is sent in for recording. You can only request a name change on your certificate if there's an error on the part of the issuing clerk.
Hello, I'm from Russia. I got married in florida and took my husband's last name. All my documents here will be with new last name. But I cant change my last name in Russian documents because in the marrige certificate write nothing about change my last name. My questions is how can I get Change name certificate? (I need it for changing my last name in Russian documents) Do I need make petition about it?
Hi Tatiana. Not all states have an area on the marriage application to specify a new last name. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe Florida lists this on their application. If it's not available there, it wouldn't be reflected on your marriage certificate. In that case, there's no way to to show a new name on your marriage certificate. Your marriage certificate is primarily meant to serve as proof of marriage.
After my divorce I went back to my maiden name and it was a pain getting all the documents done and having to explain why my name changed again. I am getting married for the second time and would like to keep my maiden name as my professional name but take his last name for personal things. How big of an issue does this cause and how to I go about doing it? Also how does it affect real estate licenses, business licenses?
Hi Courtney. It's shouldn't be a problem. It wouldn't affect your professional licenses as you're not changing your legal name. You're just juggling your married name, informally. You'll just want to make sure you're using your legal, maiden name for things such as government forms, taxes, employment, any form/document requesting your legal name/signature.
If I get married in Florida and want to take my husband's last name, do I need fingerprints and a background check?
Hi Debra. No, you wouldn't need to do that for a marriage-related name change.
On the marriage certificate, I know my wife can hyphenate her last name with mine, but can I also hyphenate the exact same? On the marriage certificate will it do any harm to hyphenate now in the event I want to go through the court in the future to change it. Example: wife's First, Middle, Last(maiden)-Last( new) and mine First, Middle, Last(wife's)-Last.
Hi Nick. You'd have to get a court order to hyphenate.
I'm married and as an adult was adopted by my stepdad. The attorney that did our paperwork put my new adopted and my married last name hyphenated. I do not want that, I only want my married last name. What do I need to do to change that?
Hi Jody. You'll have to contact the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics about getting an amendment to your adoption record. You can phone them at 904-359-6900.
Hope this isn't a silly inquiry…. Is it normal that our marriage license still has my maiden name listed? Can I still use the license to drop my maiden name and take my husband's last name?
Yes, as not all states provide an area to specify a new name to change to. AFAIK, Florida's applications do not have name change-to blocks, although it may vary from county to county.
Yes, if your marriage license application was formatted as mentioned above.
My husband got turned away at the SSN administration when he asked about changing his last name after we got married, he wants to hyphenate his last name, I thought that it was allowed for a man to change his name after marriage just like a woman.
Not in Florida. The fraud controversy case mentioned in the article was a one-off thing where the DMV restored driving privileges after having accused the gentleman of fraud, but it didn't result in a policy change that would allow a man to change his name to his wife's using just a marriage certificate. Only a handful of states allows that without going to court, but Florida still is not one of them.
Im married in florida and my maiden name is jane lim juan and change it to jane lim chan(husband last nme)do i have a problem using my middle name instead of using maiden name as my middle name?
Hi Rich. Since you didn't bother to replace your middle name with your maiden name, I don't see what possible problem could arise.
Can I move my maiden name so that I have two middle names and then take his last name?
Hi Shell. That's unlikely to be recognized.
Very informative post. I am interested in dropping my first name. I just got married and never liked/used my first name. I'm pretty sure I need to do a legal name change first but want to verify. Example: Katy Love Perry would like to change to Love Perry (husband's last name).
Hi Renee. You're correct. A first name change would require a legal name change through the courts.
I took my husband 's last name when I become a US citizen in 2009 . Now, I have some paper work in my country , they need I confim both of names is one person .How will I do ? Where can I contact ? Thanks .
Hi Kim. You'll need them to explain which identity documents they'll require, how many identity documents are necessary, and what proof of name change they need. Depending on the institution and country, it's not possible to provide more details without knowing which country this is for and for what purpose.
I have a question.
I got married a year and a half ago in Florida and went to the SS office and changed my last name to My husbands last name.
I have since decided to add my maiden as my middle name. What should I do? Where should I go? I live in Fl.
Hi Yesenia. Since you've already changed your name, doing it again would require a court petitioned name change.
My wife is From Poland with Polish parents but she was born in Russia, I am a US citizen, when we went to get marry here in Orlando the people there don't have a clue of name changing or anything in reference to that, which I found odd and not good. In most of her papers she still has her married last name from her previous husband, they were married in Poland not here. Now my question is can she use my last name without any procedure or form and how can this be accomplished, can she just applied for anything with my last name or simply just use it.
If she doesn't legally change her name, any usage would be informal.
If she doesn't change it, her legal name would still be her previous husband's last name. When it comes to filling out government forms, taxes, etc, she'll have to use her previous husband's name. To avoid this, she'll have to go through the regular marriage-based name change procedure. That starts with getting a certified copy of the marriage certificate, then changing it with the SSA, Florida HSMV, etc.
I got married in 2014 and changed my maiden name to my middle name. I've since received the SS Card, but haven't gone to the DMV still to get my license changed. Is it possible to just leave it since I moved my maiden name to middle and added his last name? My bank account is still under my maiden name, yet they have allowed me to order checks with my official first, middle and new last name. My health insurance is still under my maiden name so if I change my Drivers License, will I still be able to get the same services as always? I had no idea how much of a hassle this would be.
Hi Laura. Some states require your driver's license be updated in the event of a name change. Enforcement mechanisms or consequences for not doing so (at least in a timely manner) are often vague. Ultimately, you're facing a now or later situation. When it comes time to renew your license, you'll likely have to do so in the name on your SS card. So if you wait until later, it'll delay the inevitable.
Your health insurance company is a separate entity from your driver's license office. You'll have to consult with them if they require your name be changed to match what's on your SS record (more likely) vs your driver's license (less likely).
I have contracts and a corporate document that would need to be switched over after marriage. I saw that if I changed my last name hyphenated with this type (~) it is allowed to use both names intermittently. Is this allowed in Florida?
Hi Louise. I've not heard of the tilde character having any special significance. Do you have a reference for this?
Hello I'm a little confuse about changing my last name after marriage. I got married in 2014 and when I had applied for my marriage license I wrote my maiden name not knowing that I could have written my future marriage name. So now I'm trying to change my last name to my marriage name. I have my license and my certified certificate in my maiden name. How can I change this?
Hi Marie. Just use your marriage certificate as-is to change your name to your preference.
When I got married in Florida for my marriage license I wrote my maiden name instead of my new last name. How do I go about moving my last name to my middle name and putting my new last name at the end ?
Hi Joselyn. Get a certified copy of your marriage certificate, then change your name as you normally would. Florida recognizes replacing your middle name with your maiden name.
Valeria, what forms are needed and can this be done with a notary public?
My wife and I did the same and as we file more paperwork the more we'll have to change. …So want to catch this earlier before we have to pay more to change documents. Only passport, SS card, GC
Hi Stanley. What are you looking to have done? A last name change due to marriage or a court-petitioned name change?
Hi Valera, I am from Florida and was just married 2 months ago. I went to The SS office this week, and they did not allow me to change my middle name to my maiden name in Florida. They told me I could not remove my middle name, as that would be considered a legal name change and I would have to get a court order (and pay $435!). The SS office said I could have both last names (my maiden and my husbands) with or without hyphen, but I would still have to keep my middle name. Is there a way around this?
Hi Jessica. I've not come across a policy change in Florida that started disallowing middle and maiden name replacements. Can you try another DMV or agent or ask that documentation be provided that prevents your name change from being accepted?
This occurred at the Social Security office not at the DMV. I will go this week to a different SS office and hope they allow the change. I will keep you posted.
Thanks for pointing that out. Please do come back with a status report.
I'm a 2 year old green card holder ; my name is Bianca Popa Vidal (first,maiden name,married name) ..when I apply to remove conditions on my GC from 2 years to 10 ,can I drop the middle name (Popa) .If so,do I need a Court Order ?
Thanks
Hi Bianca. Correct, court order.
My husband is from Mexico and the dmv wanted to put both of his last names (moms and dad) as my new married last name when that's not what is on the SS card. What do I do? I don't need his moms middle name as my name, which makes no sense.
Hi Julia. Are both his last names actually his full, legal last name? Sometimes, when it comes to DMV, you may have to try another office or agent.
I am in the same situation. For my husband it is his full legal name and that's what he put on our marriage license. Now they are telling me I have to put both because of the marriage license. In our culture it appears as if I am his sister instead of his wife. I am looking for options and information to have this change because it doesn't even match my SSN card. When I brought that up, I was told I had to change my name on my Social. Makes no sense.
Hi Krystalle. The HSMV has different rules than the SSA. The latter tends to be more flexible. There's not much more that you can do other than trying another office or obtaining a court order.
Have you figured out anything? I had the same problem today and I don’t know what to do
My husband passed away November 27, 2011 we were married for 7 miserable years and I was seeing an attorney about divorce when he died of a brain tumor. He turned out to be an exconvict, a con man and was in general not a nice man who among other things wiped out my savings accounts and sold my jewelry. I do not want to continue with his name and definiately do not want to be buried with his name on my tombstone. I Just need to know what to do to move forward with this change for the least amount of money and in the shortest time. Today is my 72nd birthday and while I plan to live longer, one never knows for sure.
You would have to get a court order granted from a Florida judge. It will cost you around $400. You may want to contact the court clerk to see if there's an option to pay in installments.
kim
i live in Tampa bay area Florida and got married in Jan 2016.
can i use my maiden name as my middle name and use my husband last name
what kind of form do I need
Hi Kim. Yes, maiden to middle name changes are supported in Florida. Change your name as your normally would.
Hello,
I live near Fort Lauderdale and am getting married next month. Do I need to drop my current middle name when I add my maiden name to the middle? I am not sure if I am ready to drop my current middle name but I don't want to let go of my maiden name completely. Preferably I'd like to have my name format be "First Middle Maiden (as a middle name) Last". It is important to my fiance that we have the same last name so I do not want to hyphenate. Is this format allowed or will I need a court order to do this?
Hi Emily. I don't believe appending is permitted.
Informative post – I was enlightened by the facts , Does anyone know where my assistant could possibly get a blank FL 12.982(a) form to work with ?
Hi Odis. Here's a download link to Florida form 12.982(a), in PDF format.
I'm in Jacksonville and I wanted to change my first name along with my married name and found out I had to go to court to do it. The cost is too high. I can't spend that sort of money now on going to court. Is there anything I can do to avoid it?
Hi Maggie. You can try to request a fee waiver. You'll have to confirm that you don't have enough income to pay for your household needs as well as the court fees. There's no guarantee it'll be granted, but is worth a try.