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Just Said Yes January 2018

Changing first name when married?

Angeline , on January 18, 2018 at 2:26 AM Posted in Planning 0 12
Is it possible to change first name when signing up for marriage certificate and getting married? How can I change my legal first/middle name when getting married?

12 Comments

Latest activity by Dan, on July 9, 2021 at 4:22 PM
  • O
    Master October 2017
    O ·
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    I do not believe it is possible to change your first name when getting the marriage license. I think it's just the middle and last names that can be changed. To change your first name you will have to petition the court and do a name change that way.
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  • Kelli
    Expert August 2018
    Kelli ·
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    I think it varies state to state. A friend of mine was married in NJ and when she went to change her last name she asked if she could change her entire name and it was allowed and was still free because of the marriage. Otherwise you just fill out some forms and pay whatever the fee is in most states.
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  • CJ
    Dedicated September 2017
    CJ ·
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    I'd suggest checking with your county clerk. I'm sure this varies greatly depending on where you are.

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  • Emily
    Expert May 2018
    Emily ·
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    Ive heard of dropping/changing middle names, but never first names. i dont think that you can but this would be a question for your county clerk.

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  • bluevelvet
    Devoted October 2017
    bluevelvet ·
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    Check with the county clerk as it depends on the state. In MN it asks om the license Name Before Marriage and Name After Marriage so I could have added an "e" to my name or just changed it entirely.

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  • Annie
    VIP October 2018
    Annie ·
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    You need to go through the courts to change your first name, which also has to be approved by a judge. Contact your county clerk of courts, and there is a fee to do this.

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  • Sara
    Dedicated March 2019
    Sara ·
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    It is an option when you apply for a marriage license in the state of Iowa. I am guessing elsewhere too.
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  • M
    Just Said Yes May 2020
    Michelle ·
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    Were you able to change your first name after all? Curious because I live in CA and would like to do the same.
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  • L
    Beginner September 2019
    Laura ·
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    I HIGHLY recommend you check with your local regulations - I went to change mine at social security and they were fine with me changing (merged my first and middle together to make my maiden my new middle) and the DMV informed me that marriage is not a legal means to update your first name in the state of MD. So now I'm stuck going back to to social security to change it again and then back to the DMV... I wouldn't want to put anyone through this

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  • D
    Just Said Yes February 2022
    Dan ·
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    Would you be able to share which county this was in? My fiance is looking to do the same but I find absolutely no information on this topic anywhere.

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