Can a woman keep both last names after marriage?

Can a woman keep both last names after marriage?

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.

Can a woman have two last names?

Nowadays, couples can choose any combination of surnames for official use (although their legal name will remain unchanged). Most prevalent remains for the wife to either use a hyphenated surname or use her original/birth name.

Can you have two last names legally?

A hyphenated last name my also be called a double surname or double-barrelled surname. It’s your choice which name comes first. Hyphenating your last name is considered a legal name change – meaning you can’t drop your spouse’s name or the hyphen in the future without having to go through a court-ordered name change.

Can my husband take my last name?

A man is legally entitled to take his wife’s surname upon marriage. Although it is still not considered to be the traditional approach, the number of men adopting their wives’ surnames is reported to be on the rise.

How do you address a woman with two last names?

In the case of a wife who has chosen to hyphenate her last name, then she should be addressed using Ms. (Mrs. is also acceptable) + her first name + maiden name + married name: Mr.

Can my husband change his last name to mine?

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. In most states, your spouse can adopt your name, instead, if that’s what you both prefer.

What does it mean when you have two last names?

hyphenated last name
A hyphenated last name is when you and your spouse combine both of your last names with a hyphen. This is also called a double surname. In many states, when you fill out your application for your marriage license, you’ll be writing your intended married name on that application.

Can you use a different last name without legally changing it?

Most states allow one or both spouses to change their last names without a separate name change petition after getting married. You could choose to take your spouse’s last name, hyphenate your last names, or in some states, choose a new last name unrelated to either your name or your spouse’s name.