How to Hyphenate Names After Marriage

After weddings, the bride may choose to hyphenate her name as opposed to changing it.

Traditionally after a marriage, the wife will take the last name of her husband as a symbol of the merer of their families. However, it has become common for brides to keep their name or to hyphenate the two surnames. This allows the bride to stay connected to her own history, while acknowledging the union with her husband. Once the name is hyphenated it is common for their children to keep the hyphenated version of the name as their own last name.

Instructions

1. Place a hyphen after your last name followed by your spouse's last name. For example, if your last name is "Andrews" and his is "Smith", your name would then become Andrews-Smith. It is uncommon for the bride to place the husband's name before her maiden name, but if you choose to do so it is your prerogative.

2. Change your name on legal documents. Although you are keeping part of your own name, it is still considered a name change and you will have to take steps to make it legal. This includes writing your new hyphenated name on your marriage license and officially changing it on your passport, voter registration card, insurance policy and with financial institutions.

3. Notify Social Security of your name change. You will be issued a new card with your legally binding hyphenated name. Also, visit the department of motor vehicles to get a new card that shows your hyphenated name. Notify your employer to have your records updated for tax and other purposes.

Tips & Warnings

• Some women choose to change their name legally to take their husband's name, while keeping their maiden name professionally. This is a matter of personal choice, but it can lead to some confusion on official documents.

References

• Social Security Online: Get Help With Your Situation: Marriage, Divorce and Name Changes
• BankRate: Here Comes the Bride's Name Change; Jenny C. McCune
• The Knot; Postwedding To-Dos: How to Change Your Name after the Wedding; Kristin Alexander
• Said It; Arriving at a Hyphen; Erica Paladino-Sweeney
• The New York Times; To Have and to Hyphenate: The Marriage Name Game; Laura Pedersen-Pieterson; March 16, 1997