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. I plan to marry my fiancé in Maryland in September. I had read somewhere that you can change your whole name with marriage. I want to change my whole name with our marriage. I want to change my first name, make my original first name my middle name, and take his last name. Is this something I can do(seems confusing)? I’ve been married before and with that marriage we had made up our own last name.

    • Hi Elizabeth. You can change your last name. In most states you can change your middle name. First name changes require going to court.

  2. Hello, I recently got married in Ct. I would like to drop my middle name and use my maiden name as my new middle name and take my husbands last name. So I was Renee Theresa Polverari, and now would like to make it Renee Polverari Rushka. Will I be able to do this at the social security office or do I have to go to court to officially change it first?

    • Will I be able to do this at the social security office or do I have to go to court to officially change it first?

      You can change your name using just your marriage certificate. You don't have to go to court.

  3. Hi I was wondering can I use my maiden name after I got married since I never changed my social security card on my license or I'd. I had my married name before but iI was to drop it?

    • Hi Trisha. If you never changed your maiden name on any documents, then your maiden name is still your legal name. You'd use it as you always have.

  4. Hi! Thank you for this post, and replying to all the comments it has been so helpful and informative to read through this.

    I'm about to get married in Texas and I currently have two middle names. When I take my husband's name I would like to drop both my second middle name AND my maiden name (my 2nd middle name is my mother's maiden name, so I'd rather give up both my "maiden" names than just one). So my name would go from:

    FirstName MiddleName1 MiddleName2 MaidenLastName
    to:
    FirstName MiddleName1 MarriedLastName

    I wasn't sure if this counts as a normal marriage-based name change that I can do with a marriage license or if I'd need to go through a longer name change process since it involves a middle name. Do you know the rule on how to approach this?

    Thank you!

    • I wasn't sure if this counts as a normal marriage-based name change that I can do with a marriage license or if I'd need to go through a longer name change process since it involves a middle name. Do you know the rule on how to approach this?

      Dropping half your middle name like this couldn't be done using the marriage name change procedure. You'd have to obtain a court order instead.

  5. Hello! Thank you for writing this post.

    I'll use a random example to convey my situation…Let's say my name was Jane Carol Doe…I decided I want to keep all of that name since that's how I'm known professionally, but my husband ("John Smith") was a bit offended….I finally went to social security & added his name. The lady said I could add my middle to my first (i.e. Jane Carol Doe Smith). So that's what I thought I did. BUT when I went to update my driver license, the lady told me "Jane Carol" is not my first name. Instead, she said I have 2 middle names (i.e. "Carol Doe"). So long story short…idk what name goes where or whether I should just go back and drop my maiden name to make things more simple or just go with it since I already have both my social security card & DL showing those names, just not specifying which ones are my first and middle. What are your thoughts?

    • I finally went to social security & added his name. The lady said I could add my middle to my first (i.e. Jane Carol Doe Smith). So that's what I thought I did.

      I believe whoever processed this for you at the social security office made a mistake. First name changes require a court order and cannot be completed using a marriage certificate. The driver's license office wouldn't process a first name change without a court order, regardless of what the SSA did.

  6. Hello, I was married back in 2007 in NJ. Following the wedding, I went to social security to have my name changed to use my maiden name as my middle. I don't recall anyone saying at anytime that I would need to petition the court for the name change. Currently, my social security card, driver's license and passport all reflect my first, maiden middle, married last names. Currently i am trying to make a correction to my child's birth certificate because the registrar mistakenly used my birth middle name, even though my signature clearly did not have it. She was saying that my name is not legal, but how can that be if I was able to obtain my social, driver's license and passport changed all while only providing my marriage certificate as proof of the change?

    • Hi Suzanne. I don't know what the rationale for her statement was. You can ask that she provide supporting documentation for her position or seek out a different clerk.

  7. Hi!
    I’m actually getting divorced. I don’t have a middle name and was fine losing my maiden name when I got married. I’ve since lost my father and would like to make it my middle name. I want to keep my married last name because it’s the name my children have. I live in Nevada, is this an option and how would I go about making this change?
    Thank you!

    • I live in Nevada, is this an option and how would I go about making this change?

      You'd have to petition the court for such a name change. It can be done at any time.

  8. Hi! I am a Filipino Citizen with a GC living in NJ and planning to apply for Us Citizenship as soon. We are married both NJ and Philippines. In the Philippines, our middle name is always our mother's maiden name( in my case it's DELA CRUZ ) and automatically dropped it when we get married. We then change it to First name Maiden Name Husbands Last Name. Will SS and DMV accept this reasons when I name changed?

    Your answer is greatly appreciated.

  9. How does a Filipino get divorced. We live in California, her husband lives in California and we want to get married but she needs to get legally divorced. How do we do it and what do we need?

    • Hi Larry. If her marriage was established in the Philippines, it would have to be dissolved in the Philippines' court system. If her marriage was established in California, the Family Law portion of the Superior Court handles such cases.

  10. I was previously married, and then remarried in 2013. I changed my driver’s license and SS card at that time to my first name, maiden name and New last name. I am in the process of updating my passport now, and they are asking for documentation changing my name with my given middle name to my former name, first name, maiden name, former last name which is the current name on my passport. My marriage license has my given middle name. I am not sure what to do.

      • No, they sent me a letter asking for documentation showing my name change from the one currently on my passport to my first name, given middle name, former married name, which I do not have.

        • Hi Lacey. From your description, it appears that you're not providing sufficient identity documentation for your name change to be properly processed.

          And just to make sure I understand what you're trying to achieve name-wise, could you please clarify the name you're trying to change to and from? Your last comment was a bit confusing in that area. You can use Jane Doe to explain the before and after.

    • You need to show a link as to how you got from one name to another. Example: Mary Ann Smith to Mary Smith Jones. Now you've remarried and wish to be Mary Smith Turner. Show your first marriage certificate, divorce decree or death certificate (if you took back your full maiden name after your marriage ended). In addition to your second marriage certificate you may also need to show your birth certificate to prove your original middle name of Ann. Currently, they have no idea where Ann or Smith OR Jones came from in a step-by-step link, because your second marriage certificate doesn't match the current passport name. Just show them the progression to prove you are who you are.

      • Hello! The same thing is happening to me right now applying for a passport and I'm not sure what to do. I just got married for the first time, and changed my name on my social security card and drivers license from Lisa Marie Keller, to Lisa Keller MacCurdy.

        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.

        I was kind of stunned by this. I have requested a call back from someone who has more information, but am wondering if anyone else has had this problem?

        I live in Louisiana. I'm not sure if I was just speaking to someone who was uninformed or if I'm going to have to go through several hoops to get it correct on my passport.

        My name is officially changed with the social security office, so I'm not sure how to even get a court order allowing me to change my middle name when I don't have valid documents in my old name anymore.

        • Hi Lisa. Did your marriage certificate explicitly specify your new married name or just your full maiden name?

          • First time passport applicants need birth certificate, ID, and marriage certificate. When I applied (in person as a first time applicant, in the fall of 2017) the clerk at city hall also requested another type of ID, so I showed them a Costco card. A concealed weapons permit may also work, and possibly some professional certificate (I was a teacher). I was surprised also because I followed the State Dept. website to a tee.

        • You need a valid birth certificate, marriage certificate, and driver's license to apply for a new passport, and you use form DS-11, which has a section on the form to include details about your marriage.

          You must apply in person at an acceptance facility (look online for one in your area) with this form, so an acceptance agent will approve your documents.

          You can request either the name on your birth certificate or your driver's license. If you already have a passport and wish to change the name, you use a different form, DS-5504 or DS-82 (depending on how recently your current passport was issued) and mail your documents in (photocopy of front and back of driver's license, originals of birth and marriage, and current passport).

          If you were mailed a letter from the Department of State it should specify what you are lacking.

  11. I just got married in NV. They did not have an option for Maiden to Middle name since the form was drop down only but I was able to change it to First Middle-Maiden Last. I do not want to have a hyphenated Middle name and want to use my Maiden only. Will I be able to change my SS and Passport to First Maiden Last even though that is inconsistent with the marriage certificate? I need these changed first to legally change my middle name in PA either way.

    • Hi Megan. Deviating from a new name that's on the certificate is uncertain. Oftentimes it comes down to leniency or interpretation of the rules of the agent you deal with. Before moving forward you may want to contact the DMV to determine acceptance, as they're typically stricter in standards than federal institutions.

  12. Hello, I have a question that I did not see here. I am a widow who hyphenated my last name. I have no middle name.
    I will be getting remarried soon. What I would like to do is take my maiden name as my middle name, and keep my late husband's name and my new husband's name as my last name. Do you think they would let me do that? Or would I need to have three last names (yikes lol) I live in NH if that makes a difference. Thank you in advance for your help!

    • What I would like to do is take my maiden name as my middle name

      You can do this.

      and keep my late husband's name and my new husband's name as my last name. Do you think they would let me do that? Or would I need to have three last names

      You'd either have to take all three, or just your husband's surname alone. You can't drop a portion of your current last name.

  13. Hello. I noticed New York has been crossed out. Was there a recent change in the state? My husband and I would both like to go through the process of using my maiden name as our middle names in the new year. Thank you.

      • I am from New York and was married in November. I went to the SS office and they told me I was unable to swap out my middle name for my maiden name without involving the courts. Your answer has now put me in a tail spin because I now have four names with a hyphenated last name that I hate when it's time to sign forms!

        • Hi Maritza. I don't see what the basis of their denial could be. Did they provide documentation explaining their decision?

  14. I got married in Denver and changed my social security card, my passport and drivers license to drop my middle name and took my husband’s last name. I moved to Florida years later and because I had my marriage certificate with me, they made me put in my original middle name on my new Florida drivers license even though none of my Federal IDs show it. I’m about to move to AZ. How can I just have my first and last married name without a middle one reflected on all Federal documents? Will I have to keep the middle name because Florida made me put it on my DL or because there was one on my marriage certificate or is there a way around it without having to retake the drivers test?

    • Hi Erin. State and federal rules differ. It appears you've already changed your name on federal documents (e.g., SS card, passport). Is there an outstanding federal document you're concerned about? It's possible the AZ DMV will also require your middle name be restored.

  15. Hi Valera,
    I got married last year in CT and changed my last name to my husband's name. Now, I'd like to drop my current middle name and make my maiden name my middle name. Can I just go through SSA to do this since my marriage license shows my maiden name or do I need a court order since I'm dropping my current middle?

    Thanks

    • Sometimes social security will allow you to swap out a middle name. After all, many dmvs encourage women to go back to SS to "fix" it when they have a name mismatch. That is because SS currently defines the legal name as first and last only, and disregards the middle name. Starting with SS, try getting a passport next with maiden as middle, or try to change it if you already have one. They are not as rigid as so many dmvs are. Change as much as you can (bank cards, insurance, voter registration, etc.). Ultimately, though, unless you can "arm twist" a dmv clerk, or argue that your current license was issued incorrectly, a court order will save time and hassle (but often not cheap).

  16. When I got married in MA in 1981, I went to SSA for a new card and to the DMV both changing the records to my new name – "FirstName MaidenName MarriedName". That's been my name on EVERYTHING ever since. Now I am trying to get a Real ID in NH (I have lived here for more than 30 years) but the people at the DMV looked at my birthcertificate and my marriage certificate, SS card and license then told me I need to go back to SSA to get a corrected card showing my legal name "FirstName GivenMiddleName MarriedName" and change everything accordingly or petition Probate Court for a name change to my name that I have been using all this time. Is that correct? How could I have a SS card with my name on it and several driver's licenses over 3-1/2 decades in that name if my name on those documents is wrong? I'm confused.

      • Thank you. I didn't try to force them to document why I'm not in compliance after they insisted that I was only authorized to adopt my married name when I married and should not have also changed my middle name from givenmiddlename to maidenname at the same time.

    • Anyone upgrading to REAL ID: Take along a passport reflecting your maiden name as a middle name instead of your birth certificate (which shows birth middle name). That fulfills the citizenship requirement, equally as valid as a birth certificate would. If your current license matches passport, you don't need proof of a name change. Take a marriage certificate only if you need to show a link between birth and married name, for example if you're a new bride wishing to change your name and your license needs changing. Don't renew in a name you don't want; go back with a court order if need be; tell them it's illegal to ask you to go back to SS to change your name again (since you've already changed it!); make the dmv clerk get a supervisor to provide proof of the law if you get flack. REAL ID was mandated by the federal government anyway, so federal ID (SS, passport) trumps state implementation of the law. The problem is getting dmv workers to see beyond their policy, as they are not trained to use common sense.

      • Thanks but I haven't needed a passport since I got married so I don't have one. Apparently that was another mistake.

        • You didn't make any mistake, but a passport would avoid a hassle. I'm originally from New England and most everyone I know uses maiden as middle with no problem. Before real ID there was more of an acceptance of "common usage" name changes whereby actual documents weren't always necessary. That being said, NH has no law against maiden as middle as far as I know. I fail to see how today's policy can be applied retroactively, and if it was illegal then, they wouldn't have issued a license in the first place. Maybe try a different dmv. Realistically, a court order would take care of it but you're not going by your old name, so what would you change it from/to? It's silly. The state wants to make money.

          • She also married in MA, not NH. Does this mean that whenever people have already changed their name and then move to another state they have to go by a name that complies with that state's rules? That makes no sense. If that's the case we're all going to have multiple names over the course of our lives. It doesn't seem right that in trying to sync all your documents you keep getting roadblocks.

    • I just moved to NH and am experience the same situation at the DMV. I'm interested to know how your situation played out. What did you do?

      • If you've already changed your name with Social Security and the DMV in another state, NH shouldn't have a problem as your name change is a "done deal." That has always been the standard accepted practice nationwide. However, some women have been having problems because some DMV employees are misinterpreting the law, and not taking into consideration new (nor long-time married) residents of the state.

        The new REAL ID federal driver's licenses are going into effect, and in order to get one, you must provide a citizenship document (usually a birth certificate) to prove you are a US citizen. If you're married and your name is different on your license than on your birth certificate, you prove your name change with your marriage certificate.

        Many states (and NH has been doing this) are claiming the marriage certificate is only allowed to change the surname, and not allowing the maiden name to shift to the middle unless the marriage certificate specifically shows this is the bride's chosen new name after marriage. NH marriage certificates were changed recently to support this. Older NH marriage certificates don't have this feature, nor do many out of state marriage licenses, so now women from out of state and older NH brides are running into this situation, which I personally think is unconstitutional.

        To solve the problem, maybe skip getting a REAL ID license for now (because you don't need to prove citizenship nor a name change with that) until you can get a passport (or update the one you have). It is an alternate document that proves US citizenship, so if you have one that matches the married name you want on your license, a birth certificate and marriage license are then unnecessary to show the DMV to get a REAL ID, because there will be no reason to prove you've changed your name.

          • Lol! I agree! I also think NH citizens are smarter as well! Americans have always had a fundamental right to choose our names, and while I understand it is a different world today, some of these problems with name changes are ridiculous and unnecessary.

  17. I'm trying to fill out the marriage license application for CA and want to add his last name and make my current last name a second middle name without hyphens or mashing together any names. The form looks like it only accepts one middle name though. Can I have two middle names in CA and use the marriage name change option?

    Basically, I want to be able to have my id issued with all 4 names showing.

    • Hi Danielle. You should be able to. The California Name Equality Act of 2007 was modified in early 2017 to remove reference to hyphenated middle names, allowing applicants greater flexibility.

  18. When I married in Illinois 47 years ago, I changed to First-Maiden-His Name (but no place on marriage certificate to to indicate this). Every official and financial document lists it this way, including my passport. When I moved to Nevada 3 years ago, DMV insisted on First-Middle-His Name, so now my DL doesn't match my passport, and airline tickets don't match DL, so I always have to travel with passport, even domestically. I am ready to renew DL and will be requesting Real ID. What if I take passport instead of birth certificate as proof of identity? NAC 483.050 lists passport FIRST as "proof of legal identity," but not later as "proof of name change." Do you think they will honor my passport name rather than the name they insisted upon for my original DL?

    • Hi Agnes. They may accept it as an identity document, but still maintain the current name in their system. When you go in, bring supporting documentation including a certified copy of your marriage certificate.

    • A valid US passport is proof of citizenship, which could be used in place of a birth certificate. It is also valid ID, so you could use it in place of your license. I would bring as many documents as possible showing your name the way you prefer, as well as your marriage certificate. Make sure your social security reflects the name you desire. It is unfortunate that your license was issued in the wrong name in the first place, especially since you had ID from another state for years. Nevada tries to make everyone use their birth middle name, and without a court order it's nearly impossible to use your maiden as a middle name, and since you've already been forced on your license to take another name, you now have an alias. A court order may be the route to take, and well worth the hassle/price. Nevada law is designed to prevent identity theft while simultaneously preventing people from their using their true identities.

  19. Hi Valera,
    I would really appreciate if you could answer my question.

    I was married in the state of New York. In the marriage certificate my maiden name shows as middle name hyphenated and my husband’s last name. Now my parents are in the process of making a living trust and they wrote my name with no hyphenation ie. my first name, middle name and last name.

    Can you please tell me if there will be any legal complications after their death.

    Thanks a lot.

    Thanks a lot.

  20. Hey Valera, thank you for answering everyone's questions. I'm in a bit of a pinch myself at the moment, and maybe you can help.

    I went to the SSO back in 2013 after my wedding to change my name from FirstName MiddleName MaidenName to FirstName MaidenName HisName. The lady who processed my application in NM said that she "couldn't" move my maiden name to be my new middle name and instead listed "MaidenName HisName" as my full last name (deleting my middle name entirely) with a space in the middle. I didn't find out until I had to file taxes the next year since the name on the SS card that I received "looks" correct. It is listed correctly on all of my other documentation (DL, etc.), but I need to renew my passport and I'm worried that they will insist on the "full" last name that the SS lady gave me instead of my actual name.

    I really would like to have the maiden name in it's proper spot (as the middle name, not a double last name), but I'm not sure if this will just be a correction or if it will need a court order to fix? (We are in CO now.)
    Thank you!

    • Hi Megan. You may want to consider returning to the social security office and having a correction processed. It's quite possible the agent you dealt with several years ago was mistaken.

    • Definitely go to a Social Security office in person asap with as many documents as possible in your preferred name format, and tell them it was their mistake; request a name correction (not "change"). Your passport renewal/name change form should have a spot for first/middle/surname, so fill it in accordingly along with whatever else they require (marriage certificate, ID, etc.). They only need proof of a SS number. And note to future brides: do NOT let some clerk/dmv worker/et al pressure you to change your name to a format you're not happy with because of their "rules." Ask for a supervisor, etc. You can always renew a license in your maiden/current name temporarily until you can go back with the correct document(s) needed to change your name the way you wish. But once it's done, it's done, and it's virtually impossible to change it afterward, even if it was their mistake. You don't want an alias/mismatching documents. Proofread before you leave the counter, and don't settle for a name that some misinformed bureaucrat thinks you're "supposed" to have.

  21. I live in Arkansas & am about to be married in 2 weeks. I want to take my madien name as my middle name, then my husband’s name as my last name. How do I do that? Is the specific way we fill out the marriage certificate?

    • Hi Jules. If the application has a spot to specify a new name (which I don't believe Arkansas does), enter it. If it doesn't provide such a spot, just enter your current legal name. When you obtain a certified copy of your marriage certificate you can use it to change your name as you'd prefer.

      • So my marriage certificate & my Social Security card/DMV info won’t be the same in my case? Thanks for the info too, by the way. I appreciate it. ??

        • Hi Jules. Your marriage certificate will show your current legal name, which wouldn't prevent you from changing it.

  22. In Texas: Changed name with SS to First Name, SurName, Maiden lastname but the DMV said it was wrong. Any info on this?

  23. I live in Indiana and was recently married. I would like to add my maiden name as a second middle name and take my husband's last name.

    Is this possible through the normal marriage name change process in Indiana?

    • Hi Ashley. A second middle name would require petition the court. You could take your husband's last name without petitioning the court.

  24. How do I go about changing my name? I was just married in MA and on the marriage license I hyphenated my last name. I now think I prefer to not hyphenate and have 2 middle names, my current and maiden, together.
    Thanks!

  25. Hi,

    I got married in 2013 and put my real middle name with my husband's last name on my marriage certificate. I haven't legally changed my name yet (procrastination:)) and I have now decided that I would like to change my middle name to my maiden name, and then have my husband's last name as my new last name. I live in California. Do I have to change my marriage certificate?? What do I need to do? Please help because I can't find this info anywhere and I'd like to get this name change process rolling (finally!). Thank you!!

    • Hi Lynn. California requires that you specify your new name on your marriage license application, which will be reflected on your certificate. If you didn't do this, you'd have to petition the court for a name change.

      • Thanks for the response! My marriage certificate shows that I was going to change my name and keep my original middle name. I haven't ACTUALLY changed my name legally yet though. I've decided that I'd rather use my maiden name as my middle name. So, I need to change it on the marriage certificate. But how do I do that? Thanks!

        • Hi Lynn. Although California does provide a way to amend a marriage certificate, it does not allow it for name changes.

  26. I recently had an issue similar to the first one listed. I live in North Carolina and was married last year. I changed my middle name to my maiden name and my last name to my husband’s via the Social Security office. Now, I recently tried to change my middle name with The ‘US department of the interior office of the special trustee for American Indians’ — Since my marriage license has my maiden name, they will only change the last name on my account and not my middle name. In North Carolina, you do not have to get a court order to change your middle name to your maiden last name… you only have to go to the Social Security office. But the US department of the interior only allows marriage certificate and/or court orders for my middle name to be changed on my trustee account. I spoke with them earlier today as well as a supervisor, and they absolutely refuse to change my middle name. They said it doesn’t matter how long ago I got married and how long ago my name was changed, I have to go back to the court and try to get an order. I am so frustrated with this process… Do you have any suggestions?

    • Hi Jena. NC marriage licenses and certificates don't provide spaces to provide a new name, so only your maiden would be reflected anyway. Can you get the rep to print the internal rule that disallows the change? It's possible you've interacted with someone who's mistaken.

  27. Thank you for all of your advice. I've read a lot, but I'm still unsure if I can make my preferred changes without a court order here in MI.

    When I was previously married, I dropped my maiden surname for my then husbands, making it first/givenmiddle/husbands last. I kept it as such after divorce (did not petition for maiden restoration). Now I'm getting married again, and would like to change it to first/givenmiddle maidenas2ndmiddle/newhusbandslast, dropping my ex-husbands surname entirely. Is that possible with just the marriage certificate in MI, or does it require court intervention since my maiden name is not currently a part of my legal name?

  28. Hi,
    I recently just got married in Massachusetts. On the marriage license, there was no space for me to put my name change other than what my surname would be after marriage. I would like to change my middle name to my maiden name. Is this still possible when applying for my new social security card or would this involve a court order? I haven't done any of the paper work yet for it.

    Thanks!

  29. Hi there,

    I live in MD and I am getting married soon. I am planning to change my FirsName MiddleName FirstLastName MaidenLastName TO MyNickname HusbandLastName.
    I want to know if that's possible. If it is not I can change it to FirstName HusbanLastName.

    I am Hispanic and this is the way normally families do when they put the names to their kids, 2 names and 2 last names (dad first and mom second) Just giving you an idea of how it works so you can understant.

    Thanks in advance,

    • MyNickname HusbandLastName. I want to know if that's possible. If it is not I can change it to FirstName HusbanLastName.

      You can't change to your nickname. That would require a court order. You can make the latter change though.

  30. Hi, I recently got married in California and added my Husband's last name to the end of mine. Now I have my first, middle, maiden, and his last name. Someone told me that since my last name comes first, I'm still legally a "Smith" and not legal my Husband's last name. I worked so hard to get this name and it means so much to me. What is the correct legal way to go? I'm struggling with emotions, and I am thinking of doing the whole thing over and doing first, maiden, his last name. Please help. :0(

    • Someone told me that since my last name comes first, I'm still legally a "Smith" and not legal my Husband's last name.

      I don't know what this person is referring to.

      I worked so hard to get this name and it means so much to me. What is the correct legal way to go?

      Obtain a certified copy of your marriage certificate, then use it to change your name with the various institutions.

  31. Hi Valera,

    Thank you for answering all of these questions. I too, am about to get married. I go by my first and middle name, as a double name. I want to take my husband's last name, but I would love to keep my last name as well, without hyphening. So would it be First Middle Maiden Husband…would that be appropriate? For example, if my name now is Mary Katherine Smith and I go by Mary Katherine. If I used all of my names it would be Mary Katherine Smith Johnson. I definitely don't want to drop the Katherine and just be Mary Smith Johnson because that leaves out part of the name I go by. I could be Mary Katherine Johnson but that would leave off my maiden name and I'm sentimental about it. What would you do?

    Thanks!

    • Hi Mary Katherine. Spaces-separated, double-barrelled surnames aren't very well supported when changing your name using your marriage record. If you can change it, then it's a nonissue. If you can't do it through the marriage, you can do it by petitioning the court. The alternative to either of those routes is to use your preferred name choice informally, in social situations.

    • If it were my name, I would make "Mary Katherine" a space separated FIRST name, take my maiden as my new middle, and then take husband's surname. Court order, but solves the problem!

  32. Hello! A pleasant day to you. I just want to ask something. I am widowed since 5months ago my husband pass away.. I just thinking remarrying later if time permits. I just thinking what would be my middle name is it if happens? I am andriana niepes-gonzales this gonzales is my husband's name.. However i get married again what would be my middle name, is it niepes or gonzales? Please help me answers my questions. Thank you!

  33. Thank you for this informative site. At first I was not thinking about any conflicts when it comes to changing names after marriage. My fiance is from PA and after reading this article I feel sad because I feel like i will lose my identity. ?

  34. Hi. I am struggling with a name dilemma that I don't think is addressed above. Maybe you can help. I live in California and am thinking of adding another middle name: First, Middle, Middle, Last. The name would be that of my stepfather. He is not adopting me, but as a symbol of who he is in my life, I would like to take his surname. My understanding is that it is fairly simple in terms of adding the name. What I am worried about is all of the other documents that would need to be changed: ss#, passport, licenses, mortgage, work, credit, etc. Do you know, if I am just adding a middle name, do I need to change everything? Thanks.

    • Hi Laria. If you're just going to petition the court to obtain an order reflecting your new name choice, then your name doesn't actually change until you update those institutions you cited. Just because you get a court order doesn't mean you have to follow through with the change.

      • Thanks Valelra. To clarify, I thought in CA I just needed to submit a form, not get a court order. If I complete the form then I can choose to use the name or not even thought I am some how registered in the state with the new name?

        • Sorry, adding to the thought…The form is an affidavit to change a vital record. However, because it would be a middle name and my middle name does not appear on all of the said institutional forms perhaps I still don't need to make the changes to those records?

          • Hi Laria. Once you're granted a court order, you can use it to change the name on your vital records.

  35. I recently got married in Maryland. This is my second marriage. When I got married the first time, I officially changed my name to my first husband's last name. So I became: First Name/Given Middle Name/1st Husband Last Name. I never changed my name after divorce because I didn't need the hassle. Now, many years later, I'm remarried and changing my name. This time, I'm changing my Middle and Last Names. It's now: First Name/Maiden Name as Middle Name/2nd Husband Last Name. I successfully managed to make this change with the SS office and DMV. However, I got tripped up on my passport. They said that they could only process the passport as First Name/Given Middle Name/2nd Husband Last Name. I'm annoyed because now the middle names on my IDs don't match. Is there a process to get my passport to match? How do I "prove" the new middle name?

    • Hi Lisa. Assuming you've provided multiple forms of documentation showing all your prior name variations (e.g., prior passports, birth certificates, and driver's license), you may want to try another office or agent.

      • I called the Passport office and they said that I'd need to get a court order to change my middle name. They said the new SSA card doesn't serve as legal documentation.

        • Hi Lisa. The legal documentation would typically be a certified copy of your marriage certificate and not the SS card.

  36. Hi, I don't have a middle name and I planned on keeping it that way when I married my husband. I went to go get my last name changed on my driver license and the lady told me I have to make my last name my middle name since I don't have a middle name. That Texas requires 3 names.Is this true?

    • Hi Diana. You're not the first person to report this in Texas, which appears to be an internal system specific to the DMV.

  37. I live in PA and I would like to change my maiden name to my last name. I was able to do this at the social security office with no problem. The DMV said I have to bring supporting documentation (social security card + 2 forms of other identification ie bank statement and voter registration) with this new name change to then change my driver license. Is this true? I have also read of people being able make this change at the DMV and others saying it did not work. Additionally, those who were able to make this change at the DMV, they said they then had trouble changing their passport.

    Is there a final consensus of what the rule is in PA?? I can't find consistent language anywhere on the web :(

    • I would like to change my maiden name to my last name.

      Could you please clarify this change. Are you trying to restore your maiden name as your surname? Is this the result of a divorce?

  38. I am getting married in MD this November. When I do to SSA, can I just add his last name to my existing name, keeping my maiden name? Ex: from Christina Mae Smith to Christina Mae Smith Jones

  39. Hello,
    I just got married in NY, where my parents live. Only a few weeks before then did I move to PA.
    In NY, they would not let me change my middle name to my maiden name, so on the marriage certificate it says first-middle-husbands name instead of first-maiden-husbands name. Would PA accept the change on my social security card in this scenario, with the incorrect name on my marriage certificate?

  40. I recently got a divorce and in the documents it allows for me to take back my maiden name as my surname. I live in Alabama. If I want to change my middle name when I go back to my maiden name, do I have to go to court? Thanks!

  41. This was probably answered above but wanted to confirm. I will changing my name from "FirstName MiddleName LastName" to "FirstName MaidenName HisSurname" and wanted to know if I need to go to the court for this?

    • Hi Sara. Check the last two paragraphs of the article which discusses the states where this isn't possible.

  42. Hello,
    My wife and I just got married in Michigan and as part went through the name change process. My wife took my last name but also changed the spelling of her middle name on the marriage license. Social security already changed her SS card to reflect both the middle and last name change. We went today to the Florida DMV to update her drivers license as well and they would not update her middle name and only her last name, even though Social Security changed it. They told us we would need a court order to do this. So now she has two different ID cards with different spellings. Michigan told us this wouldn't be an issue, if we knew this would of been a problem she wouldn't of changed the spelling of it. Any help and information you could give us would be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much for your time.

    • Hi Travis. You can try and get an amendment of your marriage certificate from the Michigan county clerk's office. Explain you were given faulty information and perhaps they'll accommodate. Option two is to get a court ordered name change, as suggested by the Florida DMV.

  43. Hi! Do you know if you make your maiden name your middle name on your SSI card first if you have to wait until the new card comes in to go to the DMV to get new driver's license or you can go the same day? Thanks!

    • Hi Alissa. You don't have to wait for your new card to arrive. Just space out your SSA and DMV visit at least one day.

  44. I already have 2 middle names and would like to drop 1 middle name. Can I do this at the same time as changing my last name? (With the marriage certificate) Or do I have to change my middle name through the court and then change my last name with my marriage certificate? This is for Oregon, and we're not yet married. I just don't want to have to go through 2 name changes in a very short period of time. If I do have to go through 2 name changes, is it better to change my middle name before or after getting married?

    • I already have 2 middle names and would like to drop 1 middle name. Can I do this at the same time as changing my last name? (With the marriage certificate) Or do I have to change my middle name through the court and then change my last name with my marriage certificate? This is for Oregon, and we're not yet married.

      You can modify your middle name a variety of ways in Oregon using your marriage certificate, but dropping a part of it is only possible by petitioning the court.

      I just don't want to have to go through 2 name changes in a very short period of time.

      If you go the court route, you can do the middle and last name change simultaneously.

      If I do have to go through 2 name changes, is it better to change my middle name before or after getting married?

      It doesn't matter.

  45. We got married 4 years ago and I used my last name (Lopez) as my middle name and took his last name(Garcia). I never changed my last name in any documents because I didn't want to go through the stress while I was in school. My husband and I talked about it and he suggested I should just drop his last name and keep my maiden name. Is there any consequences to not changing my last name in all these years?? What would be the process to changing my surname in the marriage certificate??? Thank you

    • Is there any consequences to not changing my last name in all these years?

      No.

      What would be the process to changing my surname in the marriage certificate?

      You'd have to file an amendment request, but those are typically reserved for errors.

  46. I live in New York, getting married this Nov 2017.I've been reading up on whether I can drop my middle name and make my maiden name my middle name. So my name would read First Maiden Husband Lastname. There so many conflicting stories where some people have been successful, while others were not successful in making such change.

    I noticed that on the NY marriage license form, writing your middle name is optional. If I do not list my middle name anywhere on the license form, would this make it easier to change my name with SSI to First Maiden Husbands Lastname?

    FYI : my current SSI card and passport reads First, Middle, Maiden.

    • If I do not list my middle name anywhere on the license form, would this make it easier to change my name with SSI to First Maiden Husbands Lastname?

      Omitting it wouldn't do much as those organizations already have reference to your middle name in their records.

  47. I was widowed and recently remarried in Texas. I would like to change my middle name to my deceased husbands last name due to my children and legal accounts etc…, but would like to take my new husbands last name. From what I am reading here, that can be done ar the Social Security office with just the marriage license. Is that correct? Thank you!

  48. Just went to pick up a marriage license and was wondering if I was suppose to sign it with my husbands last name or my legal name in the state of north Carolina

  49. I would like to make my maiden name my middle name. Do I have to go through the courts to do that? Or can I simply do that through the process where I would change my last name to my married name?

    • Hi Trixie. In most states you can. Take a look at the last two paragraphs of the article for a list of states where it's not possible without going to court.

  50. When I file my taxes I sign them my first name, middle initial then maiden and married name. My drivers license has just my first, middle and married. Can I add my maiden name on my DL so it matches what the IRS has?

    • Hi Susan. Since you've already changed your name once with the DMV, you wouldn't be able to do it again without some other document (not your marriage record) signifying a new name change.

  51. Hi, I kept my middle name and now decided I would really like to have my maiden name as my middle. Is this an easy process to do? Thank you for your advice.

    • Hi Melissa. It depends on the state. A few won't do it at all. For states that require a new name be specified on the marriage license, not specifying it could prevent such a name change as well. So, it depends on the state. If none of these impediments exist, the process is easy. You'd just need a certified copy of your marriage record. Otherwise, the alternative is to go to court.

  52. Hi,

    I'm American but of South American descent, so my middle name is my mom's last name, and my last name is my dad's last name. I'd like to add my fiance's last name without dropping my last names, and without hyphen-ating. Is that possible? We are residents of New York city, but we have the option have being legally married in the state of Maryland as well if I'm not allowed to change my name the way I'd like to in NY. Do you know if this is at all possible? I know I have the option of moving my maiden names to my middle name, but I'd have 2 names as my middle name in that case..

    Thanks for your help!

    • Hi Nicole. I don't believe using a space is an option. You could hyphenate, or combine the names without a space, but that's about it.

  53. I am puertorrican currently living in KY. I am getting marries this July in Boston, so my marriagr license would be from Massachusetts. My question is as puertorrican we have two last names(name- fathers last name- mothers maiden name). I don't have a middle name and I would like to have my mothers maiden name as my middle name and take my future husbands last name. Would I have to go to court for this or am I able to just change it on my marriage license? Also how would this change work in PR?

    • Hi Eileen. You'd likely have to go to court as you're looking to use just a portion of your last name.

  54. Can I make my maiden name my middle name in NYS through marriage?

    If not, what office takes care of this? Do I first change last name to husbands name and then separately petition to change my middle name?

    How much time do you typically have to update liscense, passport, etc.

    • Hi Rachel. Yes, you can change it in one process using your marriage certificate. There's no time limit to changing your name.

      • Hi Valera,

        If you could take a moment to clarify this- I'm also getting married in New York, and I would like to use my maiden name as my middle name and my husbands name as my new legal last name. On the marriage license, there's a field for "new surname, if changing". Therefore, do I indicate the "new surname" as his last name? Where then do I state my maiden name as my new middle name?

        Thanks!

        • Therefore, do I indicate the "new surname" as his last name?

          Yes.

          Where then do I state my maiden name as my new middle name?

          You wouldn't have to. Your marriage certificate would be sufficient to change your middle name. Take a look at the NY middle to maiden and the general NY name change articles which explains this further.

  55. I live in CT and will be getting married next month. I do not want a long hyphenated last name, so I would like to take my maiden name as a second middle name.

    FirstName MiddleName MaidenName HusbandsLastName

    Can this be done?

  56. Hi there!

    My husband and I got married in Minnesota in August. On the marriage certificate it states my new name after marriage will be With my current middle name and New last name. I now want to add my maiden name as a middle name. We are currently living in Washington but I am not sure how long we will be here. I have not switched anything over yet. can I go through Minnesota since that's where we got married and will eventually move back to? Or do I have to go through Washington since we are currently living here?

    • Hi Aly. You'll likely face resistance from the Department of Licensing. You may have to consider going with a court petitioned name change.

  57. I'm not sure what to do with my last name since I do feel a sense of loss when thinking about ditching it. Although I imagine documents will be annoying, I'm thinking of hyphenating my middle name with my maiden name. Is that a thing?

  58. How can this be done? What is the process? What document will suffice to show this change, the marriage certificate? Similar to the post above, I am a resident of Texas and when I get married, my maiden name will be become my new middle name and my last name will be my fiance's last name.

  59. I don't have a middle name. My parents couldn't figure one out one that sounded good. I am not looking to use my maiden name, but my nickname is Lynn (Lynette is full name). Some documents are in one or the other name. Would it be a good idea to use my nickname as a middle name and make it legal?

    • Hi Lynette. It's neither good nor bad. It's just a personal preference. You wouldn't be able to make a change like that through a marriage name change. You'd have to petition the court for that.

  60. Hi, I got married in PA 12 years back. My marriage license and certificate shows my 'first name-maiden last name'. Now settled in CT. Till now all my official papers (GC, foreign passport, DMV, job, mortgage, credit card, etc) have my 'first name-maiden last name' listed. Now applying for citizenship through naturalization (N400) and also considering legal name change to my husband's last name using the same form. Can I use my maiden name as my new middle name? I do not have any middle name currently. I do not want to hyphenate the last name and make it very lengthy. All I want is 'my first name-maiden last name(as middle)-husband's last name'. Is that legally possible in CT? Please suggest. Thanks.

  61. I live in Texas and I'm getting married in March. I have a middle name but would like to drop it completely and make my current last name my middle name.

    My mother in law told me it wasn't possible. Can it be done??

  62. Hi,

    I got married last month and am trying to change my name. I live in Maine. 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 am not trying to hyphenate my maiden name with my new last name. I have yet to legally change my name.

    Thanks!

  63. I'm getting married in a few months. When filling out the marriage license should I write the full name I want it to be changed to or should I write my given name on the license? Then when filling out the certificate I put the name I want it to be changed to right?

    • Hi Bethany. If your marriage license application has a change to new name block, then you'd put it there. You wouldn't write anything on your certificate. The certificate will just mirror what you originally put on your license.

      Keep in mind, not all states/applications have a change to new name block. If yours doesn't, then your marriage certificate won't reflect a new, change to name. In that case, it wouldn't matter, you could still use that marriage certificate (showing your current/maiden name) to change your name.

  64. I am reading so many conflicting things on the internet and wanted to see if you could help to clarify.
    I live in NYC. Got married in NY state. Marriage license says I am taking my husband's surname and I would like to change my middle name to my maiden name. Some things I have read say I need to get a court order to do this legally, and others say that if you just go to SSA and change on passport by showing marriage license for both (and both of those actually work- seems to be at discretion of SSA clerk) then you're good. But is this the case in NY? And is this considered a legal name change? Or do I need to get a court order? When I went to get copies of my marriage certificate from Brooklyn Marriage Bureau yesterday, I asked about changing my middle to maiden and they gave me the number of Brooklyn Civil Court for Name Changes. This number just rings and rings if you call it, so I wasn't able to get any information. Please help! I am traveling soon and need to sort out my passport! Thanks so much!

  65. Hi – I want to keep my middle name and add my maiden name to it. I live in Texas. Can I do this? I don't have a preference of whether it's two middle names or they are hypenated as one middle name. Just looking for what's legal under the married name change process. Any references online for Texas u can point me to? Thanks!

  66. I got married in CA. I don't have a middle name and would like to add my maiden last name as my middle name and add my husband's last name as my last name (First: name, Middle: maiden last name, Last: spouses last name) Can I do this in California without a court order? Could I just change it at the SSN office and go from there?

    • Can I do this in California without a court order? Could I just change it at the SSN office and go from there?

      As long as you specified your new name sequence on your marriage license application, then yes to both questions.

      • In California if you have a middle name already and want to add the maiden name to it, do you then have to petition the court?

        First name, middle/maiden name, last name.

        • Hi Ashely. No, you don't have to petition the court to add your maiden name to your middle name.

      • What if you didn't think you wanted to keep your maiden name as your middle name when you applied for your marriage license, but now that you're married, you do?

        • Hi Jenna. In California, the name on the application to license to certificate is what it may be changed to. No deviations.

  67. If I want to adopt my husband middle on my marriage certificate can i adopt his middle name..i like his middle instead of using my maiden name

    • If I want to adopt my husband middle on my marriage certificate can i adopt his middle name.

      No, not without a court order.

  68. I applied for my marriage license in California. I filled out the paperwork to adopt my maiden name as my middle name. After the paperwork was filed, my husband to be reviewed the license and realized that I did this and he is devastated. To make a long story short, we are getting married on Saturday and I want to change my marriage certificate to my original middle name and my new last name (so basically I just need to change my middle name on the certificate). From what I have gathered, once the forms are filed with the county clerk, they have to be submitted this way. Is that correct or can I still change the license before I actually get married in order to reflect the correct information??

  69. I got married in florida and now im waiting for my gc.my problem is my maiden name is jane lim juan and then after marrieage i used jane lim chan.is there any problem with that.my friend said i done it wrong i supoosed to used jane juan chan.

    • my friend said i done it wrong i supoosed to used jane juan chan.

      There's nothing wrong with what you've chosen. Perhaps your friend was suggesting you could have gone with another name sequence, but that doesn't invalidate your choice.

  70. I've just gotten engaged and my fiance' INSISTS that I drop my last name and take his. I REFUSE, I've been married twice before, my last marriage lasted 20 years. I compromised and stated I would hyphenate and keep my middle name and just be Mary L James-Lewis. We live in GA, would this be an issue?

    • Hi K.F. It wouldn't be a technical issue, as Georgia allows such a name change without a problem. The only issue is whether or not you want to undergo a name change at all.

  71. I live in TX & just got married. I want to drop my middle name and use my maiden name as my middle name and have my husbands name as my last name. So it would be FirstName MaidenName(now middle) HusbandsName(now last)
    My parents added my current middle name to my birth certificate when I was 7, but never updated it through the Social Security office.
    What do I need to do to drop my current middle name, or do I even have to do anything since it was never updated on my SS card?
    What steps are needed to do this?
    Can I achieve this without appearing in court and filing a petition?
    Can I start the process to do this with the Social Security office and a certified copy of my marriage license?

    Thank you in advance

    • My parents added my current middle name to my birth certificate when I was 7, but never updated it through the Social Security office.

      Not important.

      What do I need to do to drop my current middle name, or do I even have to do anything since it was never updated on my SS card?

      You just need a certified copy of your marriage certificate.

      Can I achieve this without appearing in court and filing a petition?

      Yes, court petition isn't required for the type of name change you're seeking.

      Can I start the process to do this with the Social Security office and a certified copy of my marriage license?

      Certified copy of your marriage certificate, not license.

  72. Hi!

    I am getting married next year and would like to add my maiden name as my second middle name. I reside in Nebraska and will get betting married in Nebraska. Is this a difficult process? Do you know what steps I need to take? Thank you!

    • Hi MJW. Appending a second name to your middle is not likely to be recognized by the DMV as part of a standard marriage-based name change.

  73. I will be getting married very soon and am wondering if anyone knows how this works in Arkansas.

    Ideally, I'm leaning towards adding my maiden name to my middle name (having two middle names) and taking his last name as my last name. Is this possible without a court order in Arkansas? My main concern is the Arkansas DMV. I wanted to get some opinions before filling out the SSA form.

    I'm hoping if I list the two middle names on my SSA form and get the new card back that this will sufficient in Arkansas for my driver's license change (along with my marriage license of course), but don't know anyone who has added their maiden name to their middle name in my state. I also don't know anyone who dropped their middle name and replaced it with their maiden name, which could be a less preferable2nd option for me….but still wondering if even that requires a court order here.

    Definitely don't want to go through a court ordered change if it can be avoided, so any information is appreciated.

    • Hi Jennifer. That's unlikely to be accepted. A straight maiden to middle, yes, but there's a good chance it won't pass with the DMV even if you happen to get it through the SSA.

  74. Hello Valero,

    First, you are super helpful and greatly appreciated.
    Second, I apologize if this question has already been asked.

    I got married last week in MA. I wanted to change my middle name to my maiden name but there was no place to write that on my marriage license and when I asked the clerk she told me not to worry about it. When I recieved my marriage certificate it states my full name as First Middle Last and then the next line says surname after marriage which lists my wife's last name. Nowhere on the form does it show that my middle name is or can be changed to my maiden name.

    I have not changed my name on any documents yet. If I go to social security to change my name to First Maiden Wife's last name would there be a problem? If not, then is my name considered legally changed at that point?

    Thank you so much for your help.

    • I have not changed my name on any documents yet. If I go to social security to change my name to First Maiden Wife's last name would there be a problem? If not, then is my name considered legally changed at that point?

      It shouldn't be a problem. And, yes, it would be considered legally changed at that point.

  75. Hi, I'm in NY. My current Middle name has two parts. When filling out the forms for my last name to change, can I just drop the 2nd half of my middle name? Or do I have to first change my last name, then change my middle name and THEN apply for my license and passport etc?

    • Hi Christina. You wouldn't be able to drop your middle name without getting a court order. That can be done before or after you change your last name. If you go the court petition route, you can request both your middle and last name be changed for the sake of expediency.

  76. Hello Valera,
    When I got married in Colorado I signed my wedding certificate with my maiden name…. I would like to add my maiden name to my middle name, having two middle names with no hyphen, and take my husbands name as my last name….
    1) Where do I start this process? County clerks office?
    2) Do I have to change my marriage license?
    3) I would only have to use all 4 names when signing formal documents, right? Normally I could just sign with my first and last.
    Thank you so much.

    • I would like to add my maiden name to my middle name, having two middle names with no hyphen

      While replacing your current middle name with your maiden name wouldn't be a problem, appending it to your middle name may not be recognized.

      1) Where do I start this process? County clerks office?

      You'd return to the county clerk/recorder office to get a certified copy of your marriage certificate, assuming you don't already have one.

      2) Do I have to change my marriage license?

      Only mistakes are corrected, so there's nothing to do with this.

      3) I would only have to use all 4 names when signing formal documents, right? Normally I could just sign with my first and last.
      Thank you so much.

      Unless the document explicitly asks for your middle name, you can omit it.

  77. Hello…we are planning to marry in the coming months, and I find myself in a bit of a situation with the name change. I'm originally from Chile and I own a business in my country, with bank accounts tied to it, legal contracts, etc. If I was to take my future husband's surname, what would be the legal implications back in my country? Due to my surname having a difficult pronunciation, it would be so much easier just taking his, however I don't want to jump into something that might jeopardize my business overseas. Would moving mine as a middle name be my solution?
    Many thanks in advance

    • If I was to take my future husband's surname, what would be the legal implications back in my country?

      Your name in Chile would remain as-is. The connection to your identity wouldn't be severed due to your changing your name in another county, therefore not much would practically change.

      Would moving mine as a middle name be my solution?

      Not really. You may want to look into registering your name as a business/trade name (or equivalent) within Chile. This would allow you to continue doing business in your established name, while allowing you the option to legally change your name in Chile if you ultimately decide to take your husband's name after you get married.

  78. When I remarried, I kept my ex husbands last name as my middle name because of our children. They are getting older and I'd decided to change my middle name back to my maiden name and drop his last name. I went through the social security office with no problems and had my name changed. However, when I went to get my driver's license updated, they refused because it was not stated anywhere in the divorce papers that I could drop his name. He's my ex, why do I have to have it written in divorce documents? Is this something that is common? It's in Mississippi.
    They told me I would have to get my divorce document amended from 10+ years ago or pay a lawyer to petition a name change. It just seems to me if my social security card is updated; I showed my divorce papers, current marriage license, and my birth certificate that I should be able to get it changed on DL. They said I couldn't get a name change on DL without going through the courts.

    • He's my ex, why do I have to have it written in divorce documents? Is this something that is common?

      Yes, it is a common requirement. During divorce proceedings one would request the judge restore the maiden (or prior) name. If it's not spelled out in the divorce decree changing your name consistently across all institutions can be a problem.

  79. Hello! I got married in September 2016 in the state of Ohio. Before getting married I did a lot of research and every website said Ohio doesn't allow a maiden to middle name change and I would have to petition the court. I figured that I would try to see if they would let me once I got there. Social security had no problem with it and neither did the BMV. It was absolutely painless. My social security card and my drivers license now has my correct chosen name. I made sure to verify with everyone that I was not hyphenating my name and it is a true middle name. I don't know if this law has been updated or something just recently changed but I'm hoping brides are able to find this post so they know it's not a problem and won't have to petition the court!

    So good news for Ohio brides!!!

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