Changing Name After Ceremony?

Your marriage license should have your maiden name on it. I've never heard of it having your married name on it.

Agreed with PP. Your marriage license has your maiden name, so if you never change your last name, nothing happens.

Totally agree- marriage license has the name that’s on a valid photo ID which is your maiden name.

Actually, In California your marriage license has both your maiden name AND the new name you want to use (if you choose to do so). This might be a good question for your local county office!

Thanks everyone who responded so far! - indeed, as @Anais mentioned, specifically in California we have both the maiden name, and the name we want to use in the future if it is different. So as a result, my certificate will have the new name. I guess we're unique in that it acts as part of officially changing our name here!

You may have issues come up with certain things like if you get Health insurance cards, ID issues, possible tax issues etc. Sometimes something simple as your name not matching can trigger red flags or inconsistencies with little average things in life

As a California bride who went through the name change process just a few months ago, I promise it’s not as daunting as it seems. I think you’re okay if you don’t go through the process (I have heard of quite a few who have gone years without changing their name to match their marriage certificate), but I do know it’s easier closer to your wedding date (fees/etc may be more further out from the wedding for certain changes).

Nope no issues. From California. I have friends that still haven’t changed their names and it’s been over 2+ years. However, the process is a lot more difficult to change your name if you don’t do it within two years. I believe there are additional steps or you have to go through the more difficult name change process which is why my friends have been putting it off.


If possible, change your name within the year. It was super easy to do by mail (I did it this past October and it took less than 5 weeks for the entire process). Also, you can change your name on your passport for free if you do it within a year of your marriage. Otherwise, you’ll have to pay for an updated passport.

View Quoted Comment Oh nice!! I thought I saw they charge a buttload for changing your passport and it really put me off. That eases my mind, but will forsure look into it to double check. Thanks!

View Quoted Comment Yikes! Didnt think about fees RISING! Was definitely put off by possible fees, but you're totally right - they may increase which is worse haha.

View Quoted Comment Totally makes sense. Thanks for the reminder about tax issues, esp if we're going to be filing together in the future

View Quoted Comment Most shouldn’t charge anything, from my experience, but I do know there are a few occasionally (passport will be an expense, so that’s the last one I’ve been putting off). I promise it’s much easier than it seems!

View Quoted Comment Sorry I was wrong! Just realized that I didn’t have to pay a fee because I changed my name on my passport within a year of it being ISSUED. Unfortunately, if it was issued over a year ago, you’ll have to pay the renewal fee.

View Quoted Comment Thanks for the positive support! I definitely feel more at ease. Good thing we don't plan to travel soon so perhaps I can put off passport for a bit too.

View Quoted Comment Ohhh i see!! No worries. Good thing we don't have plans to travel soon lol!

I thought the license and cert has the maiden name on it?

View Quoted Comment Hi! Specifically on California licenses we have both the maiden name, and the name we want to use in the future if it will different. So as a result, my certificate will have the new name. I guess we're unique in that it acts as part of officially changing our name here!

View Quoted Comment Okay, wow. I feel like I'm the only woman who won't be changing her last name after marriage.

View Quoted Comment If i could go back to that day i signed the license, i would take back my name change tbh! But its no big deal, ill still have my maiden name as my middle i guess haha.