Can husband and wife have different last names?

Women who take their spouse’s last name do so for various reasons, from wanting to embrace tradition to being concerned that children will end up confused or unhappy if the parents have different last names.

Can you name your child a different last name?

You can pretty much give your baby any random surname you want, in the U.S.. In certain jurisdictions, in paternity cases, however, the father can petition to have the name changed on the birth certificate to his last name.

Which last name goes first when married?

You can go the “traditional” route and list your “maiden” name first, or you could choose to list your new last name first, followed by your original last name. Some couples decide to have both partners change to the hyphenated last name, as a show of unity and equality.

Can you give your child two last names?

Some names lend themselves well to hyphenation while others don’t. If you don’t like hyphens but still want to use both names, your child can simply have two last names.

Can I change my husband’s last name after marriage?

The marriage certificate process is sufficient for a hyphenated last name. However, in most cases, if the husband might want to have his name changed or if what you want is a completely different last name from either the spouse’s last name or the maiden name, a name change petition has to be filed in a court.

Can you have two last names with a hyphen in marriage?

As we discussed in length above, hyphenation will allow you to keep your maiden name while still adding your spouse’s. Many spouses choose hyphenation because they feel it’s the best of both worlds because they don’t lose their name and they’re able to take their spouses. Two last names without the hyphen.

What should I do if my spouse wants to take my name?

A spouse who wants to take the other spouse’s name upon marriage should promptly begin to use that name. Use the new name consistently, and be sure to change your name on all of your identification, accounts, and important documents.

Can same-sex couples change their names without marriage?

The name change legal process is still available for same-sex (and opposite-sex) couples who wish to change their names without getting married (or if you’d like to change your name to something new after your wedding.)