If you want to change your name to a new married name after your wedding it is very simple to do so.  Just follow the directions below.

 

Here are the rules put together by the State and County

to create a new name on your marriage license

 

INFORMATION REGARDING THE NAME EQUALITY ACT OF 2007

 

You do not have to change your name if you don't want to.

 

If you do, the information below will give you the options that the county clerk allows.

 

One or both parties to a marriage may elect to change the MIDDLE or LAST NAMES by which that party wishes to be known after solemnization of the marriage.

 

Each party applying for a marriage license may choose to include on their marriage license the new name in the spaces provided on the marriage license application without intent to defraud.

 

Changing one’s name through the marriage license process can ONLY be done at the time the marriage license is issued by the County Clerk or authorized Notary Public, as applicable.

 

You may not amend it afterwards so make sure you choose your new name wisely.

 

Note you may NOT change your FIRST NAME with this process only your MIDDLE AND LAST NAMES

 

Each party to the marriage may adopt any of the following LAST NAMES:

 

The current last name of the other spouse.

The last name of either spouse given at birth.

A name combining into a single last name all or a segment of the current last name or

the last name of either spouse given at birth.

A hyphenated combination of last names.

 

Each party to the marriage may adopt any of the following MIDDLE NAMES:

 

The current last name of either spouse.

The last name of either spouse given at birth.

A hyphenated combination of the current middle name and the current last name

of the person or spouse.

A hyphenated combination of the current middle name and the birth last name

of the person or spouse.

 

NOTE: You may NOT change your FIRST NAME using this process.

 

The marriage certificate is used by multiple local, state, federal and private agencies, each of which have different rules and/or regulations regarding what documents are acceptable to change your name on their records following marriage. It is recommended that you contact these agencies to verify their requirements prior to applying for your marriage license.

 

It is unlawful for our employees to answer questions of a legal nature. Our staff cannot advise you how to complete the marriage license application as it relates to your entry of a new name or retention of your former name on the marriage license application.

 

For your protection, if you have any questions regarding whether you should or should not list your new name on the marriage license application, and/or how the Name Equality Act of 2007 may affect you, please consult an attorney prior to applying for your marriage license.