Name Change Timeline

I’ve been married 9 months and haven’t legally changed my name yet. There’s no timeline.

A friend of mine didn't change hers for 4 years.

I think there might be some sort of contingency on US passport name changes. But otherwise, I dont think there is.

Hi Keller

As the PPs mentioned, there is no set timeline for when to do this!

When ever you do decide to change your name, here is a really helpful article about all the places to do so - How to Change Your Name After Marriage & Everywhere to Do It.

It depends on your state. A lot have no timeline but two of my friends found that after a year you might have to go through the legal process and pay rather than use the free method for through marriage for some states. I'd double check with your officiant or state.

Double check with your state, but usually there’s no timeline.

he passport timeframe someone mentioned is if you’ve gotten a passport in your current name and change your name within one year of the date the passport was issued, you may apply for a new passport with the update name free of charge. I had to change my passport just before the wedding as our honeymoon was overseas, so it was nice to not have to be charged the full fee all over again when I updated it to my married name ~12 months later.

Ive thought about doing this too, youre lucky people are being so nice in the comments here. People have bullied me over asking about this saying how awful it is and thats it would make my marriage a sham on the forums. Im having a destination wedding and this would save us alot of headache. Just consider how your Mother-in law would feel if she eventually found out. Mine would disown me and FH so im putting up with the headache... :/

View Quoted Comment I'm sorry you've had that experience! My husband and I eloped last month and our big wedding is in May still. We haven't told anyone and it's kinda nice to have it to ourselves! I don't think it makes our wedding a sham at all. If anyone asks at the wedding, I just plan on saying we signed the paperwork ahead of time. That seems to be common now anyway!

Thats a nice way to phrase it!