Can a married woman use both surnames?

Every state has its own rules on what you can and can't do regarding name changes after marriage. In most states, you have the option to take your spouse's last name, hyphenate your last name, use two last names without a hyphen, or move your maiden name to your middle name and take your spouse's last name.

Can a married woman have two last names?

A hyphenated last name is when you and your spouse combine both of your last names with a hyphen. This is also called a double surname. In many states, when you fill out your application for your marriage license, you'll be writing your intended married name on that application.

Can you legally have 2 last names?

A hyphenated last name would be Smith-Jones or Jones-Smith. It's your choice which name comes first. Hyphenating your last name is considered a legal name change – meaning you can't drop your spouse's name or the hyphen in the future without having to go through a court-ordered name change.

How do you refer to a woman with two last names?

If she's Geneva Besmer-Silverstone, you should use the last two names at all times. If she has a career, and Besmer is her family (maiden) name and Silverstone her surname, at social events she might go by "Geneva Silverstone," dropping her maiden name.

How do surnames work when married?

"The easiest and most common way to blend two surnames is to double-barrel, with or without a hyphen," says Cécile. "A couple has the right to assume or combine surnames with their marriage certificate, in whichever order, assuming they are not making any changes to the spelling.

Can I keep both surnames after marriage?

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.

Does the wife take the husbands surname?

Contrary to popular belief, a woman's surname does not automatically change to her husband's surname upon marriage. Neither will your marriage certificate indicate in any way what surname you will be using following your marriage. A marriage certificate simply records the names of the couple who are marrying.

Can a US citizen have two last names?

Answer: U.S. citizens are required to use their current legal names on their U.S. passports. Unless you can provide documentation that proves sole use of that one last name instead of two, you need to include both last names in your passport application.

How do you address a married couple with two last names?

Why do some people use two last names?

In Spain and Spanish American countries, except Argentina, each person has two surnames. Traditionally, the first surname is paternal and comes from the father, while the second surname is maternal and comes from the mother.

Can a girl keep two surnames?

A woman can choose if she wants to continue with the surname she has been living with throughout her life, replace her existing surname with that of her husband's or add her husband's surname to her existing one. It is completely her choice, and no law in India demands a woman to change her surname after marriage.

Can I take both of my husbands last names?

Yes, but in most places, you'll have to get a court order to do it. Some couples want to be known by a hyphenated combination of their last names, and a few even make up new names that combine elements of each.

What are the disadvantages of having two last names?

Which last name goes first?

Traditionally, the first surname is paternal and comes from the father, while the second surname is maternal and comes from the mother. In recent years, some countries have allowed parents to alter the order of surnames for their children, but in historical records paternal surnames generally precede maternal names.

How do you refer to someone with two last names?

If the surname is hyphenated, include both names and the hyphen in the reference list entry and in-text citation. If the surname has two parts separated by a space and no hyphen, include both names in the reference list entry and in-text citation.

What happens when two last names get married?

Either one will take the other's hyphenated surname in its entirety or both will merge their last names together. Say both have their mother's last name before the fathers. They could both drop their mother's names and hyphenate their father's.

How do you refer to a married couple by last name?

Married Couples: Formal

Traditionally for married couples, you include the male's first and last name (i.e. Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Arendt). It's likely the most familiar and the most common way to address envelopes.

Can I keep my last name and my husband's last name?

Whether a woman keeps her name or uses her partner's after marriage is a matter of personal preference, and today, there are no legal issues with doing either.

Can I have two surnames in passport?

Documents Required for Adding Spouse Name in Passport

As stated earlier, there is no pressure on any individual to keep their full name after marriage. However, they can also: Hyphenate the original name with the spouse's name. Add the spouse's last name as their surname.

What do you call a married woman who keeps her maiden name?

The prefix Mrs., pronounced missus, is used to describe any married woman. Today, many women decide they want to keep their last name instead of taking their husband's. These women are still referred to as Mrs. A widowed woman is also referred to as Mrs., out of respect for her deceased husband.

Do you automatically take your husband's last name?

The law in the U.S. is clear on this. After getting married, your name does not automatically change. A woman is not obliged to take her husband's name after marriage. In fact, both parties can change their surnames, or hyphenate if they'd like.

Why should the wife take the husband's last name?

“A female baby was covered by her father's identity, and then, when she was married, by her husband's.” Under coverture, a husband and wife became “one” under marriage. “It sounds romantic, but the 'one' was the husband,” Allgor continues.

Is your full name on your Social Security card?

Beginning with cards printed on 09/08/07, the NH's first and middle name are always printed on the first name line on the SSN card, and the last name and suffix, if any, are always printed on the second name line on the SSN card.

Why do ex wives keep last name?

Many women choose to hold onto their married name after a divorce because of their children. Sharing the same last name can make women feel more connected to their children. It can also provide a sense of stability for younger children who will not understand why their mother has a different last name.

What are the benefits of hyphenating last name?

Most women decide to hyphenate their last names because they need to compromise for the sake of their husbands and their new families. The option to hyphenate their names allows them to maintain their maiden names or their identity in a manner of speaking while also taking on the identity of the husband.