Do you automatically take your husband's last name?

View the exact language of the Domestic Relations Law of the State of New York. Click a topic, or press the enter key on a topic, to reveal its answer. Your surname does not change automatically upon marriage unless you elect to change it.
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When you get married do you have to take his last name?

Do I have to take my husband's name? No. When you marry, you are free to keep your own name or take your husband's name without a court-ordered name change. The same is true whether you're in a same-sex or opposite-sex marriage.
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How do I take my husband's last name?

How to Change Your Name in 14 Steps
  1. File for Your Marriage Certificate. ...
  2. Obtain Certified Copies. ...
  3. Update Your Social Security Card. ...
  4. Get a New Driver's License or I.D. ...
  5. Update Your Passport. ...
  6. Update Global Entry and TSA PreCheck. ...
  7. Change Your Name on Your Bank Account. ...
  8. Change Your Name on Your Credit Cards.
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Is it OK not to take your husband's last name?

Taking or not taking your partner's last name is a really individual choice, and you shouldn't let anyone else make it for you. These are some things to consider when deciding on this major life change, but whatever you decide, make sure it makes you happy, first and foremost!
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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.
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Steve Harvey - Should a wife take her husband's last name?



Why is it important for a woman to take her 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.
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How much does it cost to take your husbands last name?

Name changes cost anywhere from under $100 to more than $500, depending on your state. In many states, fees vary in each county, so check with your local probate, family, or district court clerk. Many states still have fees well under $100.
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Can you legally have two last names?

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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What happens if you don't change your name within 30 days?

Will I get penalized for not changing my name? There's no civil or criminal penalty for not changing your name. But various DMVs may impose a fine for not changing the name on your driver's license within 30 days or thereabouts.
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Do I legally have to use my married name?

Do I have to take my spouse's name? Put simply, you don't! There is no legal requirement to do so. You can be legally married and still retain your surname.
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Why not to change last name after marriage?

10 Totally Valid Reasons Not to Change Your Last Name for...
  • It's trending. ...
  • You consider it a feminist statement. ...
  • It could make things confusing for you professionally. ...
  • Your partner's last name is hard to spell or pronounce. ...
  • Your first name sounds weird paired with their surname. ...
  • It's a lot of paperwork.
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How does the last name work 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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How long does someone have to change their name after marriage?

How long do you have to change your name after getting married? You have as long as you want to change your name after getting married. While many states prefer that you notify them that you've changed your name within 30 days after your wedding, you'll still be allowed to change your name even if you wait.
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Can I change my name with Social Security online?

Whatever your reason for your name change, Social Security is here to help you with the new… you! Fill out the form online and follow the instructions to ensure your Social Security card is delivered in a timely manner.
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How do I change my name on my Social Security card after marriage?

To change your name on your card, you must show us documents proving your legal name change and identity. You also must show us a document proving your U.S. citizenship, if it is not already in our records. You must present original documents or copies certified by the agency that issued them.
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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.
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Can I take my husband's last name and keep mine?

Hyphenate your name with your spouse's.

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.
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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.
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Do men want their wives to take their last name?

63.3 percent of Men's Health followers said they would be upset if their wives kept their maiden names. 96.3 percent of Men's Health followers said they wouldn't take a woman's last name if she asked them to.
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What percentage of wives take their husband's name?

In the US, most women adopt their husband's family name when they get married – around 70%, according to one of the largest data analyses in recent years.
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How can my wife take my last name?

The name change process varies by state, but generally speaking, you'll start with these four pieces of ID.
  • Get Your Marriage License. ...
  • Change Your Social Security Card. ...
  • Change Your Driver's License at the DMV. ...
  • Update Your Passport and Travel Documents.
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Why should we not take husband name?

In India, calling someone by name is considered disrespectful. In Indian culture, husband is considered as a godly figure for wife in traditional Indian culture.
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Are you still a Mrs If you don't take your husband's name?

“Mrs.” is the proper title for a married woman whether she has taken her spouse's last name or not. This was not always the case–you used to only use Mrs. if you were taking your husband's first and last name– but times have changed!
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How long does it take to change your name with Social Security?

While you must provide the SSA with several documents and the completed SSA Form SS-5, the process is simple and takes only a few weeks to get a new card. Once you've changed your Social Security card to your new name, you can make changes to other documents, such as your driver's license, much more easily. Ronna L.
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What happens legally when you get married?

Yes, marriage is a legally binding contract. In law it creates certain legal rights and responsibilities on the parties as mentioned above in relation to inheritance, but also in relation to property, other assets and liabilities and in relation to the care of any children of the marriage.
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