Maiden Name to Middle Name Change

Maiden Name to Middle Name Change

Did you know you could make your maiden name your middle name after marriage using your marriage certificate, while still taking your spouse's last name as your new last name?

This offers a savvy two-for-one compromise:

  • You honor your spouse.
  • You honor yourself and your family history.

We shall unpack the pros, cons, and gotchas a maiden to middle name change entails, with an added discussion of a hyphenated middle name or two middle names.

Why holding onto your maiden name matters?

For those unaware, your maiden name is your last name at birth. For men, your maiden name is your birth surname too, although the term "maiden" traditionally applies to women.

Many people choose to adopt a new last name after getting married. Yet losing your old name may feel like a tremendous loss, met with grief and uncertainty.

Statute of bride shattering in slow motion in impressionist garden
Giving up one's maiden name can feel like a shattering loss.

A loss of self with far-reaching tentacles:

  • A loss for yourself.
  • A loss for your brothers and sisters.
  • A loss for your parents and family lineage.

How might your siblings react when it falls upon them to decide whether to keep the family name going? The harshest choice and burden left to the last unmarried child.

If you are an only child, you might worry how your parents will feel when your last name is gone. (Who will they expect to carry on the family name now?)

Sullen bride flanked by her morose mother and father
Traditions aside, might your parents gloom over your name change.

There is an oft overlooked fix to this problem…

Making your maiden name your middle name is a great way to keep it in your life while still following marriage conventions, as far as changing your name goes.

Note: You can use our online name change kit to complete a maiden to middle name change, along with changing your last name after marriage.

How to change your middle name after marriage?

You can use a certified copy of your marriage certificate to replace your middle name with your maiden name or add your maiden name as a second middle name.

For example, if Dana Blair Smith married Cameron Williams, a maiden name to middle name change would be Dana Smith Williams or Dana Blair Smith Williams.

Of course, you can change your last name at the same time.

(An important interjection: Caveats and gray areas exist for changing your middle name, covered in the next section. In the meantime, let us continue…)

When you apply for a marriage license, write in your new middle name if the application offers a spot to do so. If the form did not ask, your marriage certificate will exclude your new name.

Collection of green and black embossed pens laid out on a teal surface
Write your new middle name on the marriage license application if prompted.

Such an omission is not a problem, since you can derive your new name from your and your spouse's current and birth names, as shown on your marriage certificate.

This is how social security name change works; they verify the new name combination you write on their form against internal records and the names on your marriage certificate.

It is a reconstruction of disparate name groups:

  • Your birth and current name
  • Your spouse's birth and current name

Caveats, gray areas, and gotchas

Discussion of name change sometimes involves (or devolves into) happy talk. Claims that you can do something, while reality paints a different picture.

Maiden to middle name change has two such problems:

  1. Three U.S. states do not allow them.
  2. Pursuing two middle names is stepping into uncertainty.

1. A few states make middle name change difficult

Only three U.S. states do not allow you to replace your middle name with your maiden name through marriage, using your marriage certificate: New Jersey, Ohio, and Washington State.

Those three states require you to petition the court to alter your middle name. Once you get the legal name change court order, it will serve as proof of your name change.

Commanding female judge sitting in her courtroom throne
A judge must grant your middle name change in NJ, OH, and WA.

A court-petitioned name change takes more time, effort, and expense compared to a marriage name change. In these cases, hyphenation may be a convenient substitute.

2. Procedural hurdles of two middle names

A few states, such as California, Nevada, and North Dakota, have statutes that allow combining your middle and maiden name after marriage, separated by a space or hyphen.

Yet most states neither approve nor disapprove of two middle names. Success may hinge on how picky the government agent is that handles your paperwork.

Forsaken staring into the desolate void
Dare you stare into the void of chasing two middle names.

Success and failure are often anecdotal. You take a risk unless you know for sure two middle names (using your marriage certificate) will work.

It is far more reliable to pursue a straight up replacement of your middle name with your maiden name. (Excluding the three outlier states cited in the prior section.)

With that being said…

Switching your maiden name to your middle name may garner useful, long-term benefits beyond its sentimental value.

Starting with…

Using your new middle name as your first name

You could informally use your maiden name as your first name upon replacing your middle name, while maintaining the veneer of legality. (It is part of your legal name, after all.)

Abstract neo-cubism painting of colorful female faces
One woman, many names, many personas.

For instance, imagine your maiden name were Avery. You could tell folks, "Call me Avery," leaving them guessing if it was your first, middle, or last name.

This works best for surnames that can be mistaken for first names. To illustrate, Kim or Carey works, but not Lopez or King.

Here you have a flexible way to use your middle name as your first name without undergoing a legal name change by court order. (Such usage is informal, though.)

While using your middle name as your first name is okay around friends, coworkers, etc, you must still use your real, legal name for official purposes, such as filing taxes.

Confirming your identity fast (old and new)

What happens when you come across unexpected identity challenges at non-government institutions and need a quick way to prove that you have changed your name?

Should you whip out your marriage certificate?

  1. That would work.
  2. But it is too big of a hassle.

Yet having your maiden name as your middle makes it easy to attest you are the same person who just added a name. Further, it shows you have married.

Woman standing inside a hall of mirrors
Are you the same person? A maiden-middle name helps prove it.

Is this documentary proof? No, but many organizations will accept your reasonable explanation without pushback.

If you plan to keep using your maiden name for professional reasons, moving it to your middle name serves as a more credible form of "usage" or alias.

If you were born without a middle name, you have a great opportunity to fill that void by inserting your maiden name. This may help you to decide in favor of the shift.

Satisfying your relatives (and yourself)

Your parents and relatives might begrudge you for dropping your birth name. Abandoning your legacy. Pride in family and heritage can run deep.

Unhappy family sitting at the dinner table
Uh, oh! Family does not look happy about your name change.

If your family name is famous, prestigious, or admired, making your maiden name into your middle name is a potent way to honor your past, spouse, and future life together.

It shows that you have not forgotten where you came from.

Keeping your ancestry as part of your name is a wonderful gesture and sure to prevent rifts that might develop over adopting a brand new last name.

Happy family sitting on a red couch
Change your name in a way that keeps everyone satisfied.

The decision to change your name is yours alone. But clinching a win-win solution that keeps you, your spouse, your family, and your troublesome in-laws happy is astute and admirable.

And women are not the only ones facing the name change question. Some states allow men to take their wife's name via marriage; even pursue a birth name to middle name switch.

Can you have two middle names?

Caution: This section assumes you have reviewed the caveats of adding your maiden name as a second middle name; if so, please proceed.

Three out of four people have a middle name. Many of whom use it regularly. You face a dilemma upon changing your middle name:

  1. Do you outright replace your middle name?
  2. Do you use your maiden name as a second middle name?

The answer depends on what you think of keeping your current middle name and having two middle names after marriage.

Woman looks up in wonder at mysterious, glowing light above her hands
Pursuing two middle names: ingenious idea or fanciful?

You will need to correct people who get confused by your dual (or dueling) middle names, while considering the repercussions of using one or two middle initials.

The clueless might wonder:

  1. Where does your first name end?
  2. And where does your last name begin?

For example, if Riley Lou Watts married Dakota Finley, a maiden to middle name change with two middle names would be Riley Lou Watts Finley, or Riley Lou-Watts Finley if hyphenating.

Such a complex name spells trouble to the uninformed.

Possessing a full name with four parts and no hyphens makes it hard to determine if the person has two first names, two middle names, or two last names.

Hyphenating your middle names might mitigate such confusing interactions.

Woman pointing her finger at a man in irritation
Expect people to have trouble understanding two middle names.

Just remember, two middle names may prove clumsy and limiting, especially with forms that only have space for one middle name or middle initial.

Usually easier than hyphenation

Ousting your middle name for your maiden name may be simpler to manage than hyphenating your name. It keeps your identity obvious and segmented at a glance.

Using your maiden name as a bridge makes it easier to establish your connection to people on both sides of your family. This aids in childcare, such as flying with children.

Before considering a hyphenated name, assess how well it complements your partner's name. Do two names sound harmonious or disjointed?

Woman wearing headphones, eyes closed, with a sonic spiral light pattern
Will a hyphenated name sound awkward and choppy?

Sound out your name and ask yourself:

  1. Does it flow, or is it an aural catastrophe?
  2. Can you live with that noise sound?

The maiden name to middle name path may edge out a jumbled, overlong hyphenated surname. Plus, it means your last name will not be such a mouthful.

Helps ease you through the transition

Changing your name can be a form of paralysis analysis; weighing pros and cons among name sequences and combinations, only to arrive at a still uncertain decision.

A vicious circle of dissatisfying ruminations:

  • I should have waited.
  • I should have hyphenated.
  • I should have kept my maiden name.
  • I should have used spaces instead of hyphens.
  • I should have replaced my middle name with my maiden.

There is no best or superior path.

Yet choosing to switch out your middle name with your maiden name may lead to the least doubt, regret, and resistance. It is a good choice, on balance.

Bride in wedding veil sitting in meditation
Choose well and make peace with your name change.

It keeps your first, middle, and last name clean and compartmentalized: no hyphens, spaces, or disarray. Take your spouse's surname, while reusing your maiden name.

You invite turmoil by picking the wrong name in haste. You should settle on your complete name at the outset instead of backtracking and reversing your name change.

Cloaked woman, regretful, head in her hands, in a dark room
Avoid regret: get your preferred name right from the start.

It is not always about keeping your spouse, relatives, and in-laws satisfied. You should inhabit your new name when updating your professional documents and ID cards.

Woman hugging giant stuffed animal, who hugs her back
You cling to the familiar as the familiar clings to you.

The prospect of name change may appear less daunting if you keep your maiden name visible, since you are not wholesale abandoning what you have known your entire life.

Changing your name should be an act of triumph and celebration. Not of doubt and anguish. Keeping your maiden name active can help make that a reality.

Woman in a yellow cape and glowing suit
With a full heart, proclaim your name changed with certainty.

You get to embrace your new name while keeping the old. This is like having your cake and eating it, too. Sometimes the simplest choice is the best pick.

Accepting your new middle name

If you have a middle name, you may either replace it or feel like one of those people by listing more than one middle name whenever you give your full name.

  1. Two middle names do not make you a bourgeois so-and-so.
  2. Choose whichever name makes you happy.
  3. Ignore the naysayers.

Getting used to having a new middle name is also a process, as you will need to update multiple documents. (Get busy practicing your new signature straightaway.)

Stressed woman sitting at her cluttered desk with piles of paperwork
Update every legal document to show your new middle name.

Everything from your social security card, driver's license, REAL ID, to passport should match your new middle name. You do not want your legal documents drifting out of sync.

Finding the right balance

Changing your maiden name to your middle name is becoming ever more popular as people try to find a balance between tradition and more practical, modern alternatives.

Whether you lean towards hyphenating, creating a new last name, or keeping your maiden name, consider your middle name as a swappable placeholder.

Whatever change fits right for you, our online name change kit can help you change your name across your identity documents. Best of luck to you.

Our name change kit helps you change your name, either before or after marriage.

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1,116 Comments

  1. Hi!

    I would like if someone can help me. I am originally from Ukraine.

    I’ve got married in US (Oklahoma state), I don’t have middle name, so after marriage I took my maiden name as a middle name and husband’s last name as my new last name.

    When I returned to Ukraine to change my passport according to marriage license they issued for me ID with last name which consists of two words: my «middle» name and new last name, because in Ukraine they can’t drop my “middle” name from marriage license.

    But in US I already have permanent resident card with my name and only one last name- husband’s last name.

    Would I have any problems to cross the border Ukraine-USA and update my permanent resident card ( PRC, for example, has name Inna, last name – Parry; and Ukraine passport has name -Inna, last name- Syto Parry)?

    Will be so thankful for any help!

  2. Hi, I'm getting married and I would like to have my First name, Middle name, His last name and my maiden name. All separated, no hyphen. I'm from Puerto Rico but I would be doing this process in Pennsylvania since my fiancé is from there. Is it possible to add his last name first than mine without hyphenating? Thanks

  3. I live in NYC and married in July. On marriage license and all updated IDs my legal name is currently: First (a double first name, like Mary Kate), Middle, Maiden Name-Husband's last.

    Would it be possible to change my name so that my legal name is only the first part of my original first name (so "Mary" instead of "Mary Kate") and then to have 3 middle names "Kate, Original Middle, Maiden Name," and then husband's last name?

    So if currently I were Mary Kate (first) Anne (original middle) Smith(surname)-Jones(husband's last), can I legally change to Mary (new first name) Kate Anne Smith (3 middle names) Jones (new last name)? If so, how?

    • Hi Anne. You must obtain a court order to change your first name in New York. Such a change can't be done through a marriage name change. Same thing goes for your triple middle name.

  4. Hello,

    I am from Texas and I got married in June. I have already changed my last name to my husbands last name in all capacities (DMV (with real id and everything) social security, teaching, etc). So my current name is First Middle HusbandsLast. I would like to add my old maiden name back to my name would become First Middle Maiden Husbands last. Would I need a court order to do that? Thanks

    • I would like to add my old maiden name back to my name would become First Middle Maiden Husbands last. Would I need a court order to do that?

      Yes, since you've already gone all in, you'll need a court order.

  5. My wife n I have been married for 3 years with her using her birth middle name, her Maiden name and hyphenated mine. (TENCIA MARIE GARCIA-VALENCIA) WE HAVE Decided that it is too long. She wants to replace her middle name with her maiden name and use my last name. Is this something that can be done in California?

  6. I'm in Utah.
    At birth, I was given a first name (I never used), no middle name, and my surname. In 2013, after marriage, I legally changed my name to the first name I used my whole life, my maiden surname as a middle name, and my married name as my new married surname.

    I successfully changed my name with all the necessary departments but did not on my birth certificate (as I believed it to be optional). Now six years later I'm having difficutly obtaining a birth certificate for my newborn. They say I am required to change my own birth certificate to match the 2013 court order before they will issue a birth certificate for my child. But they will not accept the court order as I cannot have a shared middle name and maiden name.

    They requested I get an amended court order. The court says too much time has passed since the court order was issued and I am required to now submit a new name change petition. I'm not sure how I am supposed to keep my current legal name and request a legal name change on my maiden name. Advice?

    • But they will not accept the court order as I cannot have a shared middle name and maiden name.

      Could you please clarify who is "they"? Jumping ahead, would they accept multiple name change documents that links one name change to another, such as birth certificate, marriage certificate, and court order?

  7. Hello, I have seen questions from people living in Texas but wanted to see if I can get a link to rules and regulations about name changing in the state of Texas. To avoid a bunch of Googling. Ultimately, I was interested in either doing First name, Birth middle name, and Husband's last name, (when we eventually get married), OR First name, birth middle name, maiden name, husband's last name but not aware if 4 names are legal in Texas. Thank you!

    • but wanted to see if I can get a link to rules and regulations about name changing in the state of Texas

      First, go to Texas Constitution and Statutes and review the Family Code articles/chapters. Also see Texas Attorney General opinions H-432 (1974) and MW-225 (1980).

      Your marriage certificate/license is a valid name change document. Texas statutes do not spell out specific name change allowances, but the AG opinions do reference taking the spouse's name or hyphenating. The TxDPS change of information page also refers to using the marriage license as a valid name change document.

      In the absence of statutes specifying specific name change combinations, the SSA allows hyphenated and space-separated last names. The TxDPS will allow a hyphen, but not necessarily a space, as they're a state institution while the SSA is federal. They operate on different guidelines and interpretations.

  8. Hi, my sons name is Dominique Karl Eugene Scott how much would it be to change the last three letter in his first name to ic at the end and how much would it be to change his two middle name to one… what I really want to know is how much would it cost all together.

  9. I just changed my last name to my husbands, and then put my maiden as middle name just to please my folks, not my primary preference, but hey they raised me and put me through school so wanted to do this for them.

    But for driver's license, other documentation etc could I just provide First name New Last Name, and just either initial middle or leave out middle. Because hubby is touchy on the topic too, and would prefer just his name.
    So I am stuck. Please help.

    • But for driver's license, other documentation etc could I just provide First name New Last Name, and just either initial middle or leave out middle.

      Without knowing the state, it's ultimately up to your DMV to allow an omission.

  10. I just got married in N.Y. state. I wanted to keep my maiden name as my middle name and replace my previous middle name with my maiden name. They would not allow me to do that on my marriage license and said thay the new lawsnonly allow a last name change not a middle.

    They even called Albany to verify. So on my marriage license the only change is my last name change. My question is if I go to the Social Security Administration, can I ask them to change my middle name to my maiden name and take on my husband's last name as my new last name even though it is different on the marriage certificate?

    I have not filed for name changes on any legal documents as of yet. Everywhere I ask they say it is not possible to change my middle name but only through a court order. Can you please help me figure out if this is possible in my case without a court order? Thank you!

    • if I go to the Social Security Administration, can I ask them to change my middle name to my maiden name and take on my husband's last name as my new last name

      Yes. The SSA doesn't really consider the middle name as part of your full legal name. You could even omit it if you'd like. They'll still process middle name changes.

      When you fill out the SSA application, you'll have to list your current name, which is your maiden name. The SSA will have your maiden name on file, so when they switch around your names there's a history linking everything together.

  11. I changed my name when I am a citizen. so now my kids and wife use my new name as a middle name? right now they use my old name as a middle name.

    • Hi Nandu. If your wife and children want to change their middle names again, they'll have to do so in court.

  12. I live in Colorado and am considering what to do about my name change since getting married in June (I just signed the marriage certificate with first, married last). I know I want to keep my maiden name in some way but I am also having trouble with the thought of dropping my middle name.

    Is it possible to change my name to First, Middle, Middle#2 (maiden), Last (married) so Jane Marie Johnson Smith? Essentially this would allow me to keep my birth names while having my husband's name be my legal last name. Also, professionally if my maiden name is part of my legal middle name can I still go by that as a teacher? Thanks for your help! This stuff is so stressful…

    • Is it possible to change my name to First, Middle, Middle#2 (maiden), Last (married)

      Although you can replace your middle with your maiden, you can't add it. You'll have to go to court for that.

      Also, professionally if my maiden name is part of my legal middle name can I still go by that as a teacher?

      That's up to your employer to accommodate. They'd still have to have your legal name on file that matches what the SSA and IRS has.

  13. Hello! I recently got married, and want different name change then the norm. I want to either drop my middle name or add to my middle name with my husbands last name because I plan to keep my maiden name as my last name. I live In Utah and am moving to Nevada (military move).

    I see on the DMV website NV does not recognize a new "maiden name" as a middle name however I just want to either add or drop my current middle name. So In order for this to happen will I really have to file for a name change and get my birth certificate amended?

    PS I got married in Las Vegas and the marriage certificate shows my legal first, middle, and last, then clerk told me to leave indented new middle name blank because it would not matter because NV allows multiple name combinations, which I am quickly finding out to not be true.

    • I want to either drop my middle name or add to my middle name with my husbands last name because I plan to keep my maiden name as my last name.

      You can hyphenate your middle name with your spouse's last name in Nevada.

      I see on the DMV website NV does not recognize a new "maiden name" as a middle name however I just want to either add or drop my current middle name.

      You can't drop your middle name and leave it empty. However, you can add to your middle name. But it must be hyphenated. There is no space or double-barreled option.

      So In order for this to happen will I really have to file for a name change and get my birth certificate amended?

      If you're willing to hyphenate your middle name, you won't have to go to court.

      NV allows multiple name combinations, which I am quickly finding out to not be true.

      Nevada does allow many different name combinations. More than some realize. But there are still limits.

  14. Soooo I've been married 25 years and have now decided to take on my husband's name. We just moved to another state so it makes sense since I have to get a new driver's licence in this state.

    My intention is to take my maiden name as my middle name – Sue Smith Jones. But from all the comments I'm reading it appears that there is an issue with changing your passport name.

    I'm not interested in hyphenating my name so wanted to understand the problem. Not interested in having a super long name Sue Marie Smith -Jones. Any advice. Thanks!

    • But from all the comments I'm reading it appears that there is an issue with changing your passport name.

      What problem are you referring to?

      • This comment from someone who posted this last month:

        I just got a notification from the passport office that they needed more documentation. I called and the first lady I spoke to said that my marriage certificate only provides documentation for changing your last name on your passport. She said I would need to get a court order to validate the middle name change, even though it was directly related to my marriage.

        It's a bit confusing to me.

        • Hi Sherry. The person who placed that comment didn't reply back clarifying her situation. It's possible her marriage certificate had a space for a new middle name which was left blank.

  15. Hello! I live in California and wish to make my maiden name my second middle name with a space between the two names. How does this work legally with government paperwork when it asks for a single middle initial? Thank you!

    • How does this work legally with government paperwork when it asks for a single middle initial?

      You'd use the first letter of the first part of your two-part middle name.

  16. Hi, I live in Michigan and would like to take a portion of my last name and make it my middle name. I'm taking my fiance's last name. So essentially creating a new middle name and taking my husband's last name. Is this doable under the normal marriage name change procedure?

    thanks

  17. Hi! I am getting married in NY State in a few weeks. I would like to take my maiden name as my second middle name. As well as change my last name to my soon to be husbands last name.

    I’d go from from First name – middle name- maiden name

    To First name – middle name – maiden name (middle #2) – last name.

    Should I change my last name through marriage (and go through all the legal aspects of changing it) and then petition for the middle name addition after?

    • I would like to take my maiden name as my second middle name.

      Not possible through marriage, as you alude to.

      Should I change my last name through marriage (and go through all the legal aspects of changing it) and then petition for the middle name addition after?

      If you're going to petition, you can change both your middle name and last name at the same time.

  18. In September I will get married in Texas and I would like to change my middle name to my maiden name. I am not sure though if this should be done before or after the marriage, seeing as I really only want to have to change all my documents only once.

    • I am not sure though if this should be done before or after the marriage, seeing as I really only want to have to change all my documents only once.

      Do it after you get a certified copy of your marriage certificate, which occurs after marriage.

  19. Hi!

    I just got married and I want to change my name to have my maiden name be my middle name and my husband's name be my new last name. But, here's the kicker, I currently go by my middle name. Is it possible to make my middle name my first name, then have my maiden name be my middle name, and then my husband's last name be my new last name?

  20. Hi,
    I was married in NV as a Ca resident in 1987. I added my maiden name to my husband's name. New SS card shows my existing middle name as an initial, but my DV was issued FirstName MaidenNameLastName, as did my passport. Everything legal and ok. However, now I am back in country of birth and they require proof of name 'change' as my original middle name is missing from my US documents. What kind of proof can I give them for something that is normal, legal and does not require a court order in CA?

    • What kind of proof can I give them for something that is normal, legal and does not require a court order in CA?

      A certified copy of your Nevada marriage certificate. It would show how you derived part of your name from your spouse's.

      • Well, it does not. Neither does the marriage license. Maybe the law/rules changed since 1987…………

  21. Is it legal to have four names in Georgia?
    I have a middle name
    Jane Joy Doe and I just want to tack on his last name
    Jane Joy Doe Smith

  22. Hi , I am in PA and i got married. I applied for my green card with my maiden name as a middle name. They accepted it and my social security too. However, in the DMV they did not change my middle name because they told me I need a court permission to do so. The process is rather expensive. Do you think the only option I have is to pay for a name change? The only document that is not issued with my maiden name as a middle name is the driver license.

  23. I just obtained a California Real ID. My previous driver's license had my first name, middle name, maiden name and married last name. I was told yesterday I could only have one last name.

    My name had to appear exactly as it was on my birth certificate (first and middle name) and my last name could be my maiden name or married last name, but not both.

    Even though my social security card has both last names, he said they had to be compliant and show the name transition on legal documents. He did not answer my question about the social security card, but it appears the Federal Government has it's own set of rules.

    Even though my driver's license had my married name, I had to show my marriage certificate to keep my husband's last name.
    Here are the documents I needed in California to obtain a real ID and change my address:

    Birth Certificate
    Marriage License
    Social Security Card
    W-2 (with correct address)
    Medical Document (with correct address)

    • I had to show my marriage certificate to keep my husband's last name. Here are the documents I needed in California to obtain a real ID and change my address

      Thanks for detailing which documents worked in your situation.

  24. My husband is military. We were married in NJ in 2006, moved to GA in 2007, and just recently moved to AZ. I’ve been using my maiden name as my middle name since I got married. I changed it with SS and it states my maiden as middle on my passport. My middle initial on my military dependant ID even matches my maiden name. All of my previous licenses also states my maiden as my middle name.

    I went to the DMV in AZ today to switch over my license. They gave me a hard time because my birth certificate and marriage license have my given middle name on them. She said something about needing a name change but ultimately used my passport and issues my license with the maiden as middle.

    I’m very concerned. Do I need to do a legal name change? How do I do one? Do I do it here in AZ? If I knew this was such an issue, I would have left my given middle name instead of trying to honor my family by adopting my maiden name as my middle name.

    • Hi Lauren. Since your name change was successfully processed, you needn't worry about it. You're done.

    • A similar issue happened to me in Washington State. I've been married almost 25 years and when I went to renew my license I brought everything with me to get an enhanced license (our state's real id).

      Everything I have is first-maiden-married. The clerk tried to tell me I need to get a court order to change my name to first-birth middle-married. I argued, had a hissy-fit and requested a supervisor, who ultimately sided with me because I had a passport.

      Now I'm paranoid to go back there in a few years, afraid of getting a notice in the mail, etc. lol. It really shouldn't be like this…

  25. Hello,
    This question was sort of asked, but I wanted to check in to make sure I understand. I was married in and live in CO. I went to the social security office with the intent to change my last name and was told that only first and last name matters to them, not my middle name.

    The clerk made it seem like I couldn’t change my given middle name to my maiden name or have two middle names. Is that true? Should I have pushed to change my middle name to maiden name? Note, my marriage certificate was signed with my unmarried name, there was no where to indicate new name.

    As of now, the social security office is processing my name as FirstName GivenMiddleName HusbandsLastName but I would like to change my middle to maiden or have two middle names. Would I now have to petition the court? If so, do you have any resources/links with how to do that in Colorado?

    Thank you for your help!

    • The clerk made it seem like I couldn’t change my given middle name to my maiden name or have two middle names. Is that true?

      You could have added a name or used your maiden name.

      Should I have pushed to change my middle name to maiden name?

      You could have. It's understandable why you didn't, considering the clerk's ambiguity.

      Note, my marriage certificate was signed with my unmarried name, there was no where to indicate new name.

      That's normal in Colorado.

      As of now, the social security office is processing my name as FirstName GivenMiddleName HusbandsLastName but I would like to change my middle to maiden or have two middle names. Would I now have to petition the court?

      You can try to visit a local office to see if they can intercept the change before it goes through, but it's unlikely to work. It may already be finished.

      If so, do you have any resources/links with how to do that in Colorado?

      You can take a look at the Colorado name change or social security name change articles for more information, but you'll probably have to petition the court.

      • Hi Valera, thank you for your response. I went back to the social security office and they were able to intercept the change, fortunately! My maiden name was too long to have both that and my given middle name for their form, but I am very happy that I am now FirstName MaidenName HusbandsLastName. Thank you for this website as a resource—it’s very helpful. Now, onto all the other name change processes!

        • I went back to the social security office and they were able to intercept the change, fortunately!

          Thanks for coming back to report your success.

    • Go into the SS office in person and request the name format you want. Tell them they made a mistake and you were not given the correct information from their employee.

      They don't "count" the middle name as part of the legal name, only first and last, so you can put anything in the middle name spot provided you have some kind of documented proof of "ownership" of the name, like for instance your maiden name, or a former last name (if you were previously married or widowed), or maybe even an informal document showing another middle name from say a religious event. Take your marriage certificate and any current ID.

  26. I am getting married next month and I live in GA. I found out last year (I am 46 years old) who my biological father is but he is not listed on my birth certificate and I never had his last name. When I complete my marriage license and enter the name I plan to go by can I use his last name as my middle name as I would if it were my maiden name? (First name, dad's last name, new husband's last name)

    • When I complete my marriage license and enter the name I plan to go by can I use his last name as my middle name as I would if it were my maiden name?

      No, that wouldn't work. The probate court clerk wouldn't accept it, as it wouldn't match the name on your ID.

  27. When I got married I took my husbands last name for my New last name and kept my middle name. I now want my maiden name as my middle name. Can I do this in NY or NJ or since my home address is NJ do I have to do it in NJ?

    • Hi Rash. If you've already completed a name change, you'll have to go to to court to change it again.

  28. Hello – In DC, do you know if I need a court order to make my maiden name my second middle name? Can I do this at SSA and the DMV?

  29. Hello,

    State of Ohio marriage name change question. I got married in January of this year 2019) and went to the SSO to change my name. The woman made a mistake in changing my name, as the entire process was done verbally (I would highly not recommend doing that). I had intended to change my name to First Middle Maiden His, and instead she changed it to First Maiden His. I'd like to get it changed AGAIN to what I had originally intended, the First Middle Maiden His format. What is the proper way of going about this? I called the Social Security hotline and they were not helpful and I don't know how to do this! Please help! (note: my wedding license only has my original unmarried name on it, and I haven't changed ANY forms of identification yet nor thrown out my old SS I.D….not sure if any of that info helps)

    • Hi Katie. Have you tried returning to the SS office to get your record amended? You can cite the clerk's mistake as justification.

    • There is a form that you can download from the SS website. It is the regular basic application form they use for everything, SS-5. Print it out and fill it in the way you want your name to be before you take it into the SS office. Take as many forms of ID that you have as well as your marriage certificate, and birth certificate if you have it handy. Ask for a name correction and tell them they made a mistake. They usually have the forms in the office also.

  30. Hi Valera,

    just read thru every comment u posted & thought u'd be able to help. We are getting married in July 2019 in California and i am going to take his surname. I am Chinese and hoping to combine my Chinese middle name from 2 words into 1. (eg. it appears on my ID now as XXXX YYY, but i want it to appear as Xxxxyyy) is it possible? should i just write it as one word in the middle name column?

    Thx!

    • I am Chinese and hoping to combine my Chinese middle name from 2 words into 1. (eg. it appears on my ID now as XXXX YYY, but i want it to appear as Xxxxyyy) is it possible?

      California's name change allowances are quite flexible, but are tigher for middle name changes. What you're proposing isn't recognized under California's Name Equality Act.

      should i just write it as one word in the middle name column?

      When you fill out the marriage license application, the county clerk will transcribe your answers onto a blank marriage license form. If you omit the space, they'll notice it doesn't match your ID. Well, they should notice it.

      Even if they allow it through, the agents at the SSA or DMV might notice it and how it doesn't comply with the Name Equality Act.

  31. I live in Texas and have had my maiden name as my middle name on my drivers license only. For personal reasons I would like to put my middle name back on my license instead. On all other legal documents its first, middle and married name. How can I get my licence changed back.

    • How can I get my licence changed back.

      You could try, but it's unlikely to be approved unless you have a document (e.g., court order, amended birth certificate) that justifies the name change.

  32. Hello! I have found this website's information and comments so helpful! (And the blog posts have great character.) My husband and I went to the Social Security Administration office today to change our names. We decided we would both change our names in this fashion: First_name My_maiden His_last. We both have our certified Certificate of Marriage (Louisiana, don't think it has a spot for desired new names, we just signed our birth names). I was given no trouble at all changing my middle name to my maiden name and taking his last name.

    However, when my husband went to change his middle name to my maiden name (same office, same day), keeping his last name as is, he was told he had to petition the court. Is this correct? Or should he be able to change his middle name to my maiden name using our Certificate of Marriage in Louisiana? Thank you so much.

      • Hey, Valera. Thank you so much for your expedient reply. I am not looking forward to the court process. Why is it that he has to wait for weeks, maybe months, and spend upwards of $400 when I could change mine immediately and at no cost?

        • Hi Ally. Historically, husbands changing their surnames to their wives' isn't considered a marriage-related name change, but a general adult name change that requires a court order.

          • The system is biased against men in some states. Women are allowed to change their name for free using a marriage certificate, even for same -sex couples (who often take each other's last names while moving their maiden names to the middle). Men historically retain their birth surnames in our culture.

  33. Hi. When I divorced years ago, I kept my married name because we have a child together. Now I am getting remarried and would like my new name to be First Name, 1st Married Name (changing middle name to former married name), New Married Last Name. I am a legal resident of Michigan, getting married in California.

    Do I need to get a Court Order to change my middle name? If so, should I do before or after the wedding (which is April 27th – today is February 3rd)? Also, should I assume I would need to do in Michigan?

    • Hi Julie. As far as I know, this isn't addressed in Michigan's statutes. Maiden to middle is possible, but prior married surname to middle is unanswered. You can try and then resort to a court order if it fails.

  34. Hello,
    I got married in 2017. I changed my last name to my husbands name and kept my middle name the same. Now as time has gone by, I would like to change my middle name to my maiden name. Is the only way to do this in Texas through a court order?
    Thanks.

    • Now as time has gone by, I would like to change my middle name to my maiden name. Is the only way to do this in Texas through a court order?

      Yes, you'll have to go to court. When you change your name due to marriage, it's done as a complete set: first (which doesn't change), middle, and last.

  35. Hello,

    I am recently married and when I went to the Social Security Office, to update my new name they asked if I wanted to Hyphenate or add my husbands name to my name. I did not want to hyphenate, so I added his last name to mine. I'm curious if dropping your maiden name is not an option anymore without having to petition the court. I live in NM. I really didn't want to have 2 last names, but that was the only option given to me at the Social Security Office. Any help would be much appreciated. Thank You.

    • I did not want to hyphenate, so I added his last name to mine. I'm curious if dropping your maiden name is not an option anymore without having to petition the court.

      You'd have to go to court since you've already formally went through a name change.

  36. When i got married 28 years ago, I changed my last name to my husband’s, but i kept my previous last name as my middle name. I had been widowed for several years and that’s why i chose to keep the name to match her last name. But now… i want my birth middle name back, it’s too confusing & of course daughter is an adult now so unnecessary . Do i just file a regular name change petition? Do i need a legal service? Thanks

    • Do i just file a regular name change petition?

      Yes, you just file a regular name change petition in the proper courthouse.

    • Some states may allow you to revert to your full maiden name if you show them your husband's death certificate, your birth certificate, and marriage certificate. It's worth a try to avoid a court petition, which, of course, is not free.

  37. I have been using my maiden name as my middle name since I got married 45 years ago. I went to the DMV in NY today to renew my drivers license and they told me that the rules for the enhanced license that complies with federal law only allows me to use the middle name that is on my birth certificate! They told me that the name I have been using is not my legal name – even though it has been my signature on every single thing for 45 years!

    • Hi Roberta. These stories aren't new, especially with Real ID requirements. This is an instance where the name on your driver's license deviates from the name on your other records due to current day regulations.

    • Don't use your birth certificate for proof of citizenship, use a passport (if you have one; if not, get one) with your maiden name as your middle name. A passport is proof of citizenship, even after it expires. It's also proof of ID, of course. The Real ID requirement of citizenship often means showing a birth certificate, which is fine if you've kept your original middle name after marriage. The citizenship document must match the ID document (driver's license). If not, you need a name change document such as a marriage certificate. However, many states will only allow the marriage certificate to change the last name. A passport eliminates the need for a name change document.

      • Now I'm confused. My birth certificate name is Marilyn Frances Stone. I married over 30 yrs ago and got a CA driver's license : Lyn Stone Colton. All my current documents: SS# & card, IRS, Car loan & insurance, credit cards are all under Lyn Stone Colton.

        Military base in CA denied renewing my base pass cuz name on birth certificate doesn't match. Are you saying that rather than going through court for name change, that I can get a passport using driver's license & SS card?? What if I had a passport when I was a minor under Marilyn Frances Stone with same ss#??

        • A new, first-time passport can be issued in either the name on your birth certificate or the name on your legal ID. Your choice, but it has to match one of those names.

          An old, expired passport is still considered proof of citizenship.

  38. I live and am getting married soon in the state of Indiana. If they put his last name on our marriage certificate do I have to legally change my last name to his last name or can I still legally use my maiden name?

    • If they put his last name on our marriage certificate do I have to legally change my last name to his last name or can I still legally use my maiden name?

      You're not required to change your last name, regardless of what appears on the marriage certificate.

  39. I recently got married in Washington (Washington marriage license) and I live in California. I want to have my name changed so that I will have my maiden name be my middle name and then I will take my husband's last name (i.e. First name Maiden name Husband's last name). Basically, I am dropping my previous middle name and taking my husband's last name. I filled out my marriage license with my original name (because that is what the office in Washington told me to do). Will I need to get a court order to change my name in California or will i be able to make those changes without filing a court order?

  40. I recently changed my last name to my married last name on my social it’s first middle maiden married names so two last names. My question is on my license can I just put my first given middle and married last name leaving out my maiden name all together?

    • My question is on my license can I just put my first given middle and married last name leaving out my maiden name all together?

      Maybe, maybe not. If the DMV performs a lookup against the SSA database and discovers your proposed name doesn't match, that's a problem. Even if no lookup is performed, if you're in a state where a new name choice is shown on the certificate, deviating from that could be a problem. Finally, just because the SSA permitted a space-separated surname doesn't guarantee the DMV will.

  41. In NY if I changed my name on my social security card to first name, middle name, husbands last name but I want to now change it to first name, middle name, maiden last name, husnfads last name can I easily just go back to the social security office and change it? This was done in the last year.

    • Hi JR. Since you've already changed your name with the social security office, you'll have to present a court order to complete a follow-up name change.

    • I know this thread is old but did you ever do this? I am looking to do the same but 10 years has passed. I want my maiden name as my middle

  42. hi, I'm in AZ: First, our marriage license did NOT have a place to list my 'new' name; it only had a space for my given name. If I want to add my maiden name to my middle name when I change it, it sounds like I can do that, right? So then I would have two middle names. Currently I typically use my middle initial anyplace I have to use my 'official' signature; after my name change is processed in the SS office, can I change my official signature to have TWO middle initials? (like on a check, on any legal documents, etc.)

    Which initial do I use on electronic forms that only have one space for a middle initial? If I want to honor my original surname by using THAT first letter as my middle initial on electronic forms, do I have to actually give up my original middle name so that my maiden name would be my only middle name? Basically, I'm asking whether I can I choose which middle initial I want to use on electronic forms, or does the middle initial always have to be the one from my FIRST middle name?

    The 'real' ID stuff people are writing in the comments is starting to worry me; I currently don't have a passport, so it sounds like I might have a tougher time changing my driver's license to the Real ID because of that… is that true?

    • I think in Arizona you can make your maiden name a middle name, but if you want two middles, i.e. birth and maiden, you would need a court order. If that is the option you choose, you can use either middle name's initial on forms, but I personally would choose one and be consistent about it. Most people choose the first middle name initial. For a Real ID driver's license, I think all four names would be required. A passport may allow you to choose one, or use initial(s), or simply first and last names.

  43. Hi! I couldn't find my specific dilemma in the comments. I live in PA and recently got married in PA. I want my legal name to be First-Maiden-Husband's Last Name, ultimately removing my Middle name given at birth.

    SS office updated my legal name to First-Maiden-Husband's Last Name, no problem. Then DMV said I could not make that change without the additional proof i.e. bank statements (but they won't change it without updated license), passport, and/or voter registration.

    My question is: will they issue an updated passport listing my proposed name (First-Maiden-Husband's Last Name) if I send my certified marriage license (lists my name as First-Middle-Maiden) or am I wasting my time and should petition the court?

    • will they issue an updated passport listing my proposed name (First-Maiden-Husband's Last Name) if I send my certified marriage license

      Yes, the passport office operates on a separate track from the DMV.

  44. Hello,

    My fiance and I are getting married this weekend in California and have a name predicament.

    Our current legal names are Perla Smith and Kevin Roe. We do not have a middle name. We want to honor the name "bobby" by adding it to our middle or last name. However, neither of us have "bobby" in any current documents.

    Is it possible for both of us to change our name as part of the marriage process to
    Perla Bobby Roe & Kevin Bobby Roe? Will the state ask for the origin of bobby?

    • Is it possible for both of us to change our name as part of the marriage process to Perla Bobby Roe & Kevin Bobby Roe? Will the state ask for the origin of bobby?

      No, that's not going to be possible through the marriage name changing process. You'll have to go through the court system instead.

  45. Hi I recently got married in MA. There was no spot on the marriage license to change my middle name and the clerk said I should be able to do that on the social security form. However, I don't want to change my middle name my maiden name, I just want to change my middle name to a different middle name. If I fill out the paperwork this way will social security accept it? Or do I need to take additional steps? I can't find an answer to this anywhere as most people just change their middle name to their maiden name.

    • I just want to change my middle name to a different middle name. If I fill out the paperwork this way will social security accept it? Or do I need to take additional steps?

      No, this wouldn't be accepted. You'll need to go to court to change your middle name to something entirely new.

  46. Hello
    I live in CA and was previously married with my first daughters father and kept his last name so it would be the same as my daughters. I am thinking about getting remarried because I am having another child with someone else but also want his last name. I am complete okay with getting rid of my middle name and using my ex's last name as my middle and new last name as my last. Can I do that in the marriage process or does a separate court hearing/paperwork have to happen? Also is the paperwork process extra long or about the same with getting married?

    For Example…
    AmberLee Marie Jones (First, middle, divorced name)
    What I want…
    AmberLee Jones Baker (first, divorced name, new married name)

    • I am complete okay with getting rid of my middle name and using my ex's last name as my middle and new last name as my last. Can I do that in the marriage process or does a separate court hearing/paperwork have to happen?

      You can do this through the marriage process. You do not need to go to court. On the California marriage license application, enter your preferred middle and last name choices where you're directed to. Use the marriage certificate you'll receive after marriage to change your name with the necessary institutions.

    • The previous poster is right, the beauty of the California marriage process is they let you fill in whatever the heck you want for middle and last names when filling out your marriage certificate.

      I opted for 2 middle names, my old middle name and my maiden name. (Best decision ever). You can also even make up new last names, like combining your 2 names, e.g. Smithjohnson.

      Also both spouses get this opportunity to make these name changes. The marriage cert is basically anything goes in the state of California, it's great.

      • the beauty of the California marriage process is they let you fill in whatever the heck you want for middle and last names when filling out your marriage certificate.

        True. California's name change laws are very lenient.

  47. Hi

    I recently got married in NY. My drivers license is still NJ one as I am from there. If I wanted to change my name to have two middle names so it would be: first name middle name maiden name husbands last name is that going to be an issue. We are currently living in NY.

    • If I wanted to change my name to have two middle names so it would be: first name middle name maiden name husbands last name is that going to be an issue. We are currently living in NY.

      That's not possible in New York, unless you go to court.

  48. I married in New York and live in South Carolina. They put my surname as: Owen Fletcher because I want to use my surname (Owen) as my middle name and Fletcher as my last name. Can I do that?

    • Hi Kimberley. South Carolina does allow middle to maiden name to middle name changes through marriage. You may have to explain why your maiden name is shown as part of your surname on the certificate though. Supporting identity documentation (e.g., birth certificate, prior ID) should alleviate any concerns, if raised.

      • Thank you. In NY where I got married the form does not have a place to change the middle name. That is why she put it beside the new last name where it says new surname. Now will the new middle name replace the old middle name?

  49. Hello,

    I feel so bad about this, I’m not sure if it was the excitement, but I forgot to fill out the “new name” section. So I’m stuck with my birth name. I already received my marriage certificate. I would like to add his last name. Btw, I married in California. Would I be able to amend this or would I have to petition? Thank you

    • Would I be able to amend this or would I have to petition?

      You can't amend it after the fact. You'll have to petition.

  50. Hello! Thanks for the article! I tried searching the comments for this answer but couldn't find it. Could you help?

    I want to take my (now) Middle Name and join it with my First Name, make my Maiden Name my new Middle Name & take his Last Name as my own.

    So, my new full, legal name would read: FirstMiddle Maiden Last

    Can I do that in FLA or Missouri? If so, how difficult would this be?

    Thank you in advance!! :)

    • I want to take my (now) Middle Name and join it with my First Name

      This requires a court order.

      make my Maiden Name my new Middle Name & take his Last Name as my own.

      This can be done through marriage using your marriage certificate.

      Can I do that in FLA or Missouri? If so, how difficult would this be?

      Same applies for both states. It's not hard to get your name changed through the court system. You can read the court petition article that'll explain what to expect.

      If you go the court route, you could change all aspects of your name simultaneously: first, middle, and last.

  51. I will be getting married in a few months. I live in Indiana. I want to keep my late husbands Surname but I also want to take my soon to be husbands surname. I do not want to use one as a middle name and I really do not want to have to hyphenate the Surnames. Can I have both last names legally in Indiana?

  52. I live in Georgia and I was wanting to change my last name to my future spouse's. I already have a middle name, but I hate it, would it be possible to keep my first name, add in my future mother in law's maiden name, and then my future spouse's last name?

  53. Hi, I got married 3 years ago and now that I am pregnant I want to change my name to be my first, maiden, married name. I live in NY and I understand it is a bit easier to do that here now, as opposed to going to court do it. Does it matter if I got married 3 years ago? I assume it should be okay as I will have my marriage certificate but do you anticipate any problems with this? If not, I think the first step is social security and then the DMV and then passport, right? I dont need to feel rushed to change credit cards and other things yet as my maiden name will become my middle name and will still be on those items. Thanks so much!

    • Does it matter if I got married 3 years ago? I assume it should be okay as I will have my marriage certificate but do you anticipate any problems with this?

      Did your marriage application at the time have a spot to specify a new last name? If it did and you didn't specify your spouse's, you may have to head to court for a name change. If it had no such space, you're ok.

      If not, I think the first step is social security and then the DMV and then passport, right?

      Yes.

  54. Hi!
    I would like to just address something you mentioned about the tricky states in which you are adding your maiden name to be your middle name. I am from New Jersey and there is no court involved I literally JUST did it this morning, at social security. Nothing tricky or difficult about it. Filled out the application added my maiden name to my middle name and then my new last name.
    I am just curious as to whether or not I can sign most legal documents with just the initial of my middle names instead of writing them all out.

    • I am just curious as to whether or not I can sign most legal documents with just the initial of my middle names instead of writing them all out.

      Go by the document's instructions. If it asks for your full legal name, then spell out your first, middle, and last. If it just asks for your legal name, first and last is typically fine, although you can throw in your middle initial if you'd like.

      If you're unsure, just spell it out. In the grand scheme of things, it probably doesn't make much difference. You're the same person, even if there are minor variations in how you spell out your middle name.

    • Hi Danielle,

      I just got married about a month ago in NJ (I also live in NJ) and I have read and been told my multiple ppl that you do need to petition the court, but not for SS, but for the DMV.

      Have you been to the DMV to change your name at this point? If so, did you have any issues?

      Thanks and congrats to you!

  55. Hi, on the application it asked for the last name ill use after marriage so I put my fiance's last name. However it didnt ask for what middle name am I going to use nor what will be my full name after marriage. Now, I am married already and I am confused which is going to be my middle name since that it wasnt really asked. I also wanted to ask if it automatically changes my name or i would still need to file a name change? Please help me. Thank you

    • However it didnt ask for what middle name am I going to use nor what will be my full name after marriage. Now, I am married already and I am confused which is going to be my middle name since that it wasnt really asked.

      A few states will ask it, but most won't. Most states allow the middle name to be replaced with the maiden. The end of this article lists which states block it.

      If you don't plan to change your middle name, it'll stay the same.

      I also wanted to ask if it automatically changes my name or i would still need to file a name change?

      It's not automatic. You have to initiate the name change.

  56. I married (14 yrs) ago and changed my middle name to my maiden name… and over the years had regretted it mainly for heritage reasons and would like to add it back to my name making two middle names (given middle name along with maiden name), Can I do this when I renew my drivers license in California or do I need a court order? Also is having two middle names with a space cumbersome with legal documents or is one middle name (two middle names combined without a space) recommended?

    • Can I do this when I renew my drivers license in California or do I need a court order?

      You will need a court order.

      Also is having two middle names with a space cumbersome with legal documents or is one middle name (two middle names combined without a space) recommended?

      Space-separated names may cause confusion and errors, but that doesn't necessarily mean you should avoid it. If a space is what you prefer, choose it. You'll just have to be diligent in catching mistakes and be proactive in making sure others understand there's a space in your name.

  57. Getting Married in Illinois. Would like to my change middle name to current last name from a previous marriage, due to my child, then take my new husbands last name. Can I put First Name, Current last name as my Middle Name, New Last Name on the marriage certificate? Would putting my name this way on the marriage certificate be enough to legally change my name or would I need to do a "Changing Names by Court Petition" after getting married? Or would I have to change my middle prior to getting married, so I could put it on the marriage certificate with my new last name?

  58. Hello,

    I'm getting married in CA. My name is as follows on my Birth Certificate, Passport and Soc. Sec. Card.

    First, Middle, Mom's Last Names (2 of them), Dad's Last Name

    I only use my First and Dad's Last Name for taxes, for banks, professionally, etc. I don't use all 3 of my current last names. BUT – when I travel the hyphen between my mom's last names is causing trouble. I would like to remove her 2 last names. Now that I'm getting married, my plan is to put this as my new last name on Marriage License Application:

    First, Middle, Dad's Last Name, Spouses Last Name

    Is this possible? I would be adding his and stop using Mom's 2 last names.

    • Hi K. California allows segmented name changes. If you can incorporate a portion of your spouse's name into yours, you can drop a portion of your last name. Even if you're only including a letter that doesn't actually change the spelling of your name.

  59. Hi,
    I live in NH and have been married for 30+ years. Tried to get a Real ID today and DMV wouldn't allow me to use maiden name as middle name and say that I have to pay money and go to probate court to get it changed. I have been using my maiden name as middle name and middle initial on ALL of my documents, legal and otherwise since I have been married. It's hard to believe all the women in my position have to go to court to get a legal name change. (I brought my birth certificate and marriage certificate for documentation)

    • Hi Michele. The New Hampshire's Real ID requirements (PDF link) references marriage certificate to prove a name change.

      On January 1, 2015 the New Hampshire marriage application worksheet was modified to include spaces to specify a new middle name and new last name after marriage. The certificate would have reflected this change as well.

      Since your marriage took place 30 years ago, the format of the marriage certificate is different from what it is today.

      This could be what's tripping you up and causing noncompliance. Did they specify your marriage certificate as the problem?

      • Yes they said that the marriage certificate would only change my last name not allow me to use my maiden as my middle name but there were no provisions for that at the time. So now they are saying I have to do a legal name change (pay money and make a court appearance) when I have been using the same name for thirty three years. Wonder how many other women are falling into this predicament. Thank you

        • Yes they said that the marriage certificate would only change my last name not allow me to use my maiden as my middle name but there were no provisions for that at the time.

          It's an unfortunate situation, but many of these changes aren't retroactive.

          Californians have a similar situation when the Name Equality Act was passed a decade ago allowing greater name change choices, but marriages that took place beforehand were excluded from participating.

          • Why does she have to follow today's new rule if her name change in that state was approved thirty years ago? I'm assuming her SS card, driver's license, and any other ID is in the name she's used all these years. Why is NH punishing her now when she followed their current rule at the time of her marriage?

            It's not her fault the state had no spot on the old marriage certificate to fill in her new name back then, and now decided to change the format. Why is the rule retroactive?

          • It's not her fault the state had no spot on the old marriage certificate to fill in her new name back then, and now decided to change the format.

            Real ID requirements are more stringent. Also, the clerk she dealt with may have been finicky, whereas another clerk might have been more forgiving.

        • Same situation, NH, married 44 years. Agent at the DMV made a big deal about me "Arbitrarily changing" my name and loudly involved other agents at the office. She said I would have to change the name on my SS card or legally change to the one I had been using. I called the state because I could not believe that was the case and was told that if I wanted to use my maiden, I would have to go to probate. Sorry but I don't think going to a different office or agent is going to change the outcome.

          • Did you try bringing along a passport that shows the name format you've used for 44 years? If you have one that matches the name on your driver's license you won't have to prove that you've changed your name.

        • I'm in the same boat. I have used my maiden name as middle name for over 30 years. All my documents: DMV, social security, IRS, taxes, bank cards, car loans etc are in this name. I work on a military base for 15 yrs, now all of a sudden the denied my id access renewal cuz birth certificate doesn't match drivers license & social security card.

          Said I need to change birth certificate and to do that must go through court & pay $435 I do not have and then get new birth certificate. That's some bullshit. If I don't i lose my job!

          • Hi Lyn. Can they provide this in writing? There are always rules, but real-world exceptions. If they're looking to impose an undue burden, they should have the documentation to back it up.

            If seems like there's something missing here. Surely they'd understand that name changes are common, and not having a middle name match the birth certificate wouldn't call your identity into question. Especially since your other federal and state ID back up the name change along with a certified copy of your marriage certificate proving your name change event.

          • Get a passport issued in your current legal name. Then you won't need to prove a name change at all. Your citizenship document needs to match the ID document. Or, you can use a birth certificate, but then you have to prove your name change with a marriage certificate.

  60. Hi,

    Really struggling with the decision to drop my maiden name and am thinking of taking it on as a new middle name. In addition, I have always loved my original middle name and sometimes go by it.
    Does anyone know if it’s possible to take on middle name as part of your first? Getting married in Michigan.

    So go from FirstName MiddleName MaidenName to [FirstName MiddleName] MaidenName HisSurname

    If not, how easy is it to pull in the maiden name as a second middle name in Michigan?

    • Hi M. Appending to your first name or middle name requires you to petition a circuit court. It's not hard to do. The article that discusses changing your name in Michigan has a general adult name change subsection that summarizes the court procedure.

  61. Hi there,

    My wife and I got married in 2014 in NC. She dropped her middle and last name and took my middle and last name. It was recorded as such on our marriage license, and it is recoded as such on her new S.S. card. Now that the government is requiring everyone to get these REAL ID's with the little gold star on your drivers license she went in and took all these form of ID and they told her that what she did was illegal.

    I don't believe them. I don't see how taking my middle name is any different than if she made her maiden name into her middle name. She is petrified that she is going to have to change her name to something that she doesn't want after using this name for so many years. We are working on going to a different DMV to get a different opinion and try again but trying to get anything done there is like pulling teeth. Any advice? Should we be worried or was that person completely wrong?

    Thank you
    Graham

    • Hi Graham. The NC DMV doesn't permit a person to change their middle name to their spouse's middle name or surname. Although it's interesting and odd the SSA permitted it four years ago, it would be surprising if they did so today.

      Sometimes you come across a clerk that's elastic, but that flexibility can trip you up down the road.

      You can certainly try another DMV and bring plentiful supporting documentation, including the social security card and marriage certificate. If all else fails, your wife could pursue a court-ordered name change to satisfy DMV's requirements.

  62. I read all the comments, but I’m still unsure about Ohio.
    I’m getting married in September and want to drop my current middle name and replace it with my maiden name. Every website says this can’t be done in Ohio, but I’ve had several friends tell me they did it with no problem (and without petitioning the court). So I’m really confused! Many sites also add the caveat, just for Ohio (none of the other restrictive states), that it would have to be changed on the marriage license first. But wouldn’t I have to use my current legal name on the marriage license? Any help would be appreciated.

    • Hi Molly. There's been anecdotal reports of people being able to make the change without going to probate court, but I'm not aware of a revision in Ohio's statutes reflecting this.

      Ohio marriage licenses applications aren't standardized. Every county's probate court designs their own, and most are pretty slipshod. As far as I know, they don't provide spaces to specify a new middle or last name, so it's not as though you have to commit to a name choice before you apply.

      Once you obtain a certified copy of your marriage certificate there's nothing preventing you from attempting a middle to maiden switch. If you face resistance from a particular clerk, it'll likely be from the BMV.

  63. Hi! I’m originally from PA but have been living in the U.K. and got married here in 2015. I updated my passport and SSC to reflect my maiden name as part of my middle name and have taken my husband’s name as my last name.
    I’m moving back to PA in the next few months. When I go to update my driver’s license, will my passport and SSC be enough to make my maiden name a part of my middle name and marriage certificate to update my last name?
    Thank you!

    • Hi Regina. If you were just swapping out your middle with your maiden, then it should work, but adding to an existing middle may not be supported.

  64. I want to change my marriage certificate. It currently says:
    First Name — Middle — New Last Name

    I was able to update my NY License and Social Security Number to:
    First Name — Maiden — New Last Name

    However, the Passport will only let me change it to
    First Name — Middle — New Last Name (b/c that's what my marriage certificate says)

    I want to change my marriage certificate to
    First Name — Maiden — New Last Name

    I called the Brooklyn Civil Court for Name Changes (they never responded). I emailed and they were not helpful. I read the NY name change article and it only talks about changing my passport and other identification WITH a marriage certificate. But it's the marriage certificate I want to change.

    Can someone help me figure out the next steps?

    • Hi Jeanne. NY marriage certificates can only be changed to correct errors, but that shouldn't be necessary in your case. You should have been able to change your maiden name to your middle name on your passport. It's possible the agent you dealt with was unaware that NY allows this. You may have to go in person and deal with another agent.

      • Hi! Looking to do a similar thing. In NY. I got a court order filed to make my maiden name my SECOND middle name. But as I was about to pay for the copies of the court order, they said they i might have to change my birth certificate because I’m changing the placement of my name.

        I reached out about the birth certificate, and she confirmed I would have to change my birth certificate. Social security said they never heard of this. Has anyone gotten similar info?

        • Hi Stefanie. You couldn't change your birth certificate before the court order. You would do it after the court order. And changing it would be optional.

  65. I recently got married in Massachusetts. I was planning to keep my maiden name as my middle name and change my last name to my husband's. I was told that MA does not allow this anymore so I ended up adding my husband's last name to mine (not hyphenated, just 2 last names). I can't find anything about this online in MA law and have not heard of this happening to anybody else in MA. Is this a new law? I'm feeling like now it will be too complicated to have two last names and considering if I made the right choice for me or not. Any help about this would be greatly appreciated!

    • I can't find anything about this online in MA law and have not heard of this happening to anybody else in MA. Is this a new law?

      I've not heard of maiden to middle being disallowed in Massachusetts, nor am I aware of space-separated last names being supported. Did you already change your last name with the SSA and DMV or is it just your intention to?

  66. My First name is Jane my middle name is Doe but everyone in my family calls me JaneDoe but my (examples) schools and important documents Drs. they call me Jane without the Doe

    my maiden name is Holiday and my husbands name is Pumpkin-Spice in Pennsylvania would I be able to Put in my Social security card and drivers license my First name as Jane Doe middle name Holiday and pick up my husbands double name Pumpkin-Spice

    or can I put First name: Jane, middle name & Maiden: Doe Holiday, married name Pumpkin-Spice

    I always sign my name since a child Jane D. Holiday because my Birth certificate says Jane Doe Holiday So now I would have to sign my name as Jane D. Holiday Pumpkin-Spice

    am I able to carry 3 last name and only use my married names or because I would rather use First: Jane, Middle Doe: Last-names Maiden: Holiday +Pumpkin-Spice How would I sign my names if accepted like this?

    • in Pennsylvania would I be able to Put in my Social security card and drivers license my First name as Jane Doe

      No.

      middle name Holiday

      Yes.

      and pick up my husbands double name Pumpkin-Spice

      Yes, you can take your husband's name.

      You can take a look at the Pennsylvania name change page which dives into this further.

      or can I put First name: Jane, middle name & Maiden: Doe Holiday, married name Pumpkin-Spice

      No double middle names.

      am I able to carry 3 last name and only use my married names or because I would rather use First: Jane, Middle Doe: Last-names Maiden: Holiday +Pumpkin-Spice How would I sign my names if accepted like this?

      You can hyphenate. For legal documents/purposes, you'll sign your full name. For other instances, ommitting a portion of your surname or using initials is just personal preference.

  67. I live in California and am marrying for the second time. When I divorced, I kept my married name in order to have the same last name as my kids.

    For my new marriage I want to revert to my maiden name, which should be easy via marriage license application. However, my birth name has no middle name — just first and last.

    When I took my first husband's name, my maiden name became my middle name, so I gained a middle name. My fiance and I went to apply for our marriage license yesterday and I was told that I could not go from having a middle name to not having a middle name, so I can't revert to my maiden name. (ex: if my birth name was Jane Smith and I became Jane Smith Jones in my first marriage, I can't revert to Jane Smith.

    If my name at birth had been Jane Lee Smith and I became Jane Smith Jones in my first marriage, I COULD revert to Jane Lee Smith.) I asked if I could take my new husband's last name as my middle name and have my maiden name as my last name and was told no.

    I produced my birth certificate to prove that my request was to simply go back to my maiden name. Based on that, the clerk filled out the marriage license using my maiden name instead of my current legal name and indicated that I was not requesting a name change.

    At that point my fiance and I were so confused we just signed the license. But I now have a marriage license that's not under my current legal name. Is that going to be an issue when we send it in after the ceremony? If the marriage certificate is issued in that name, will I be able to use that in order to change my vital records? I'm so confused.

    • I live in California and am marrying for the second time…

      …snip…

      My fiance and I went to apply for our marriage license yesterday and I was told that I could not go from having a middle name to not having a middle name,

      That's correct. In California, you can't drop your middle name altogether.

      so I can't revert to my maiden name. (ex: if my birth name was Jane Smith and I became Jane Smith Jones in my first marriage, I can't revert to Jane Smith.

      Right. You can't go from having a middle name to having no middle name.

      If my name at birth had been Jane Lee Smith and I became Jane Smith Jones in my first marriage, I COULD revert to Jane Lee Smith.)

      That's correct. You could switch back to your birth middle name and birth last name through marriage.

      I asked if I could take my new husband's last name as my middle name and have my maiden name as my last name and was told no.

      That is incorrect. You are allowed to take your spouse's last name as your middle name. You are also allowed to take your maiden name as your middle name.

      Based on that, the clerk filled out the marriage license using my maiden name instead of my current legal name and indicated that I was not requesting a name change.

      The clerk is only meant to copy over what's specified on your application. Your signature is what finalizes it.

      At that point my fiance and I were so confused we just signed the license.

      That closed out the application.

      But I now have a marriage license that's not under my current legal name.

      You can seek a correction and have it modified or reissued.

      Is that going to be an issue when we send it in after the ceremony?

      If you get married with it as-is, you'll very likely lock yourself out of your name change preference. You can get an issued license reissued. You can even go to the same clerk's office or another county clerk's office and get a brand new license.

      If the marriage certificate is issued in that name, will I be able to use that in order to change my vital records? I'm so confused.

      You'll only be able to change your name with what's specified on the certificate.

  68. Hi,

    I live in Florida and got married in January. I would like to make my new full legal name to have 2 middle names as opposed to one:

    First Name Middle Name Maiden Name Husbands Last Name.

    Is this possible to add a legal middle name so my middle name is now my current middle name and maiden name? I have yet to legally change my name.

    Also, when I signed my marriage application, there was not place to write my new name, but I'm reading that there should be a section on it for the new name…

    Thank you!

    • Is this possible to add a legal middle name so my middle name is now my current middle name and maiden name? I have yet to legally change my name.

      No, you'll have to go to court.

      Also, when I signed my marriage application, there was not place to write my new name, but I'm reading that there should be a section on it for the new name

      No, there is no such section. Florida marriage license applications do not provide a spot for you to specify a name change after marriage.

  69. I married my husband 9 years ago and didn't change my name. Now we have a child and I would like to replace my existing middle name with my maiden name and take his last name. We live in Florida. Would I need to get a court petition in this case?

    • We live in Florida. Would I need to get a court petition in this case?

      No, you do not have to petition the court to switch out your middle name with your maiden name.

  70. Hi! We’re residents of Ohio but we’re getting married in Hawaii. Would I still have a hard time changing my maiden name to my middle name when we get back to Ohio?

  71. I was married in NY were you can make your maiden name your middle name but I think I missed filling out those forms when I filed for out marriage lisence. Now I live in another state (one of the ones that require court papers). Can I just go back to NY to request this? My current lisence is in my new state now.

  72. Hi I live in Texas and when I got married, I went to change my last name on my license. I don’t have a middle name so they put my madden name as my middle name. I really don’t like this I only want my name and my husbands middle name. Is it possible to drop the middle name (maiden name)

    • Hi Joana. You can return to the Texas DMV to request a revision, assuming you didn't request the change be made.

  73. Hi there,

    I live in New Mexico and would be more interested in keeping my maiden name as my last name, then adding my husband's last name as a second middle name. Is this odd or difficult?

    Thank you-

  74. I live in Florida and I would like to change my last name to my husband's but also keep my maiden name. I was thinking of having 2 middle names so it would go like this:
    my first name, then my given middle name and then my maiden name, followed by my husbands last name.
    Is this possible?

  75. I'm born in europe so I have two middle names. I got married in tennessee and I'd like to add my maiden name as my third middle name and take my husband's last name. Do you think I would be allowed to have 3 middle names? And if that's possible can I make the name change without court?

    Also are there some official naming rules or laws in tennessee or usa in general? Where can I find them? Is there some official source?

    • Do you think I would be allowed to have 3 middle names? And if that's possible can I make the name change without court?

      You'll likely have to go to court.

      Also are there some official naming rules or laws in tennessee or usa in general? Where can I find them? Is there some official source?

      You can search the Tennessee Code.

  76. Hello,
    I was married last year in Michigan, and changed my name through social security to add my maiden name to my : First Middle-Maiden HusbandLast

    Michigan gave me a drivers license like this, but when I moved to Tennessee they are telling me that my name was never legally changed. The new drivers license they gave me is First Middle Maiden-HusbandLast and the clerk told me I have to get a court order. Is this true? Your site didn’t list Tennessee as a court order state.

    • Hi Kahley. DMVs are state-level entities, so one state doesn't have to abide by the flexibility of another's. If your name was changed by the SSA as well, that would be another story.

      Correction: I see that your name was in fact changed by the Michigan DMV. In that case I don't see what the rationale is for Tennessee to deny your name change. You may want to return and bring all available identity documents: social security card, Michigan driver's license, and marriage certificate. If it's denied, request in writing as to why.

      • Aren't states required to recognize legal documents as such? A driver's license is a valid ID, and social security is national, so why is it rejected? Names shouldn't change when you move to another state. I don't get it.

        • Aren't states required to recognize legal documents as such?

          If a person changes their name in a state through the SSA and DMV, another state would most certainly recognize it. But Kahley's remarks didn't mention the SSA. Only the DMV. In that case, her name not having been changed with the SSA doesn't provide another state DMV a sufficient primary identity document to permit a name change that's not within their allowed limits.

          • I'm confused. Kahley starts out by saying "I was married last year in Michigan, and changed my name through social security…." Doesn't this imply that the SSA did change her name as well as the DMV? And if both the SSA and DMV have recognized the name change, why doesn't the new state?

          • Hi Amanda. You're correct. I missed the portion where Kahley said her name was changed was changed on her driver's license. I've added a correction to the original reply.

      • I think this is happening to a lot of women who are trying to upgrade to Real ID. The state will ask for documents to prove their identity and citizenship, and the "citizenship" document is usually a birth certificate, which obviously doesn't match the driver's license after you're married.

        So, you need a marriage certificate to prove your new name, but many states, such as Nevada, refuse to honor another state's marriage certificate if it doesn't explicitly say/have a space for you to declare you want the maiden name as your middle name (but they will accept it to change just your surname).

        They also seem to disregard Social Security names, and tell people to go back and change their SS card. I think it's unconstitutional, because, like Kahley (and some other previous posters), they've already changed their names federally and with their state, and have been issued IDs, yet are, in effect, having their valid, legal id's rejected when they move to another state!

        The solution is to use a current, valid passport for proof of citizenship with your maiden as middle, which should match your driver's license. Then there's no need to prove a name change from the birth certificate name to current name (unless you're a newlywed).

        Don't accept an incorrect name. Press the dmv to show you the supposed rule in writing. Enlist your state representative's help.

  77. I signed my maiden name on my marriage certificate and i wish to keep my maiden name, add hyphen & take on the first 5 letters of my husband's name. I have 6 letters in my last name and his last name has 13 letters in it. It would be much too long to combine both. Example: Smithe-Brick???

    • Hi Jane. Some states allow segmented names, but it typically has to be specified on the marriage application/license and subsequently reflected on the certificate. Otherwise, a court-petitioned name change may be necessary.

  78. Hi,

    I'm Filling my form I-751 to remove conditions from my green card, I want my new green card to come with my last name as middle name and my husband last name as my last name, Can I go ahead and fill the form with the name I want and then change it on SSN and DOL? I am in WA State.

    Thanks
    Nadia

    • Hi Nadia. When filling out the form, you can specify your new married name. You can also put your maiden name as one of your other names used.

  79. Hi Valera,

    I'm struggling to gather information about name change options in Michigan. A friend who lives in MA told me she wasn't legally allowed to have two last names and it made me wonder what my choices are here. I have a middle name now and am considering how best to keep my maiden name and adopt my married name. I'm getting married next week and would like to know if I can legally change my name to any of the following options:
    1. first, maiden name, husband's surname.
    2. first, *no middle name*, maiden name and husband's surname (2 last names, unhyphenated)
    3. first, *no middle name*, maiden name – hyphen – husband's surname (2 last names, hyphenated)

    • Hi Jackie. You can swap your middle name with your maiden name. I don't believe Michigan permits space-separated surnames, but hyphens are supported. You can't drop your middle name.

  80. Hi there!

    I currently have two middle names (not married yet) and will be getting married in Colorado in July. I will be dropping my two middle names, moving my maiden name to my middle name, and taking my husband's name. Will your forms help me do all of that? What's the best route to take?

    Thanks!!!

    • Hi Lacey. Yes, Colorado does permit you to drop your middle names while replacing it with your maiden.

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