Can you legally have two 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.
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Can someone have 2 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.
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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.
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Can you have two last names when you get married?

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.
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What are the disadvantages of having two last names?

Hyphenated Names: The Top 3 Drawbacks of Taking Both Last Names
  • You're Legally Bound To Use Both. Whether you're signing a check or introducing yourself at a cocktail party, choosing a hyphenated last name legally binds you to use it at all times. ...
  • They're a Mouthful. ...
  • Kid Complications.
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Can you legally have two last names?



How does it work with 2 last names?

A hyphenated last name may also be called a double surname or double-barrelled surname. For example, Sarah Smith marries Adam Jones. A hyphenated last name would be Smith-Jones or Jones-Smith. It's your choice which name comes first.
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Why do people keep 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.
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Which last name goes first?

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.
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Is hyphenating your name legal?

Name change through hyphenation is legal.

It's valid as taking your partner's last name as-is. It's no more or less lawful than any other name change through marriage.
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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.
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How do you file someone who has two last names?

If your dependent has two last names or a hyphenated last name, both last names need to be entered in the last name box as it appears on the social security card. Also, if the social security card has a middle initial/name on it, that will need to be entered in the program after the first name.
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Can Americans have two names?

Many Americans also have a 'middle name', which is a secondary given name written between the person's first name and their family name. For example, Emma Marie CLARKSON's middle name is 'Marie'. Middle names are optional and are rarely used in daily life. However, most Americans have one or multiple.
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Why do Hispanics have 2 last names?

The two surnames refer to each of the parental families. Traditionally, a person's first surname is the father's first surname (apellido paterno), while their second surname is the mother's first surname (apellido materno).
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What is a double barreled last name?

What is a double-barrelled surname? A double-barrelled surname is created by combining the surnames of a married couple by either using a hyphen or by simply adding the second name onto the husband's or wife's existing surname.
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Can you have two last names in Texas?

(1) An applicant may choose to use any birth surname, adopt the surname of his or her spouse, adopt the surname of a previous spouse, or adopt a hyphenated version of his or her surname and a spouse's surname.
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Can you hyphenate your last name on Social Security card?

Your legal name is your first and last name only.

The SSA will still print your middle name and suffix on your social security card if enough space is available. Your name may only contain letters, spaces, hyphens, and apostrophes. Suffixes are okay.
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How much does it cost to hyphenate your last name?

You pay a $435-$450 filing fee. If you can't afford the fee, you can ask the court to waive it.
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Can I give my child a hyphenated last name?

Go with a hyphenated last name

When contending with two last names, couples sometimes choose to hyphenate their child's name (e.g. Smith-Hawkins). Jessica, a tech worker from San Francisco whose parents weren't married when she was born, has lived with a hyphenated last name.
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Does the baby take the father's last name?

Whether you are married or not, you don't have to give the baby the last name of either parent if you don't want to, and the child does not have to have the father's last name to be considered "legitimate." (See the article Legitimacy of Children Born to Unmarried Parents for more on the subject.)
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Whose last name should baby get?

For example, most states mandate that the child should have two names. Typically, that is the last name of the mother if she is not married and the last name of the father if married. There are states that allow unmarried mothers to choose her or the father's name.
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What are the benefits of hyphenating last name?

Pros
  • The best of both: You don't have to give up your birth name, just add your partner's name to it.
  • Professional identity: Hyphenation would be a practical way to keep your name recognition.
  • Easier ancestry: Genealogists will appreciate that your lineage is still traceable.
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Can a male have two last names?

The use of double surnames is legal but not customary. Children traditionally take on their father's surname (or, more recently, optionally their mother's).
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How do you write a family with two last names?

It is also acceptable to use "John and Mary Smith and Family" or "The Smith Family." However, it is acceptable today to also have the mother's name first in family signatures such as "Mary, John, Matthew and Susan Smith." If there are two different last names and the couple has children, then it would be proper to sign ...
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Do all Mexicans have 2 last names?

Mexicans have a personal name(s) followed by two surnames – the father's paternal family name and then the mother's paternal family name. For example: Hector Marίa GONZALEZ LÓPEZ.
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Can you have two last names in California?

Married Last Name Arrangements in California

Both partners can adopt a longer last name that includes both last names without the hyphen. Couples can combine both of their last names into a unique, different last name. Individuals can choose to keep their last name exactly as it was before the marriage.
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