Decision to change name when getting married
Your surname does not change automatically upon marriage unless you elect to change it. Nothing in the law requires you to change your name when getting married; it is your personal choice. You are not required to have the same surname as your spouse.
Name change procedure and options
Either you or your prospective spouse may elect to change your surname by entering the new surname in the appropriate space on the application. The new name entered must consist of one these four surname options:
Option 1: the surname of either spouse; or
Option 2: any former surname of either spouse; or
Option 3: a name combining into a single surname, all or a segment of, the premarriage surname, or any former surname, of each spouse; or
Option 4: a combination surname separated by a hyphen, provided that each part of such combination surname is the premarriage surname, or any former surname, of each of the spouses.
When a name change takes effect
Should you elect to change your surname, the change takes effect immediately upon the completion of your Marriage Ceremony.
Legal implications of this option
The use of the name change option will provide you with a record that you elected to change your surname through marriage.
Your Marriage Certificate constitutes proof that the use of the new surname or the retention of the former name is lawful.
Neither the use of, nor the failure to use, this option of selecting a new surname through the use of the Marriage License application affects your right to adopt a different surname through usage at some future date.
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