Yes, a man can take his wife’s last name when they marry. Every U.S. state allows either spouse to adopt the other’s surname through the marriage process, and in many states the groom can select his new name directly on the marriage license application the same way a bride can. Where the license form doesn’t offer that option to the husband, he can still make the change through a standard court-ordered name change. The legal right is the same in either case; the paperwork is just occasionally longer because clerks and agencies see the request less often.
The Two Legal Paths
There are two ways to do it. Which one you use depends on your state’s marriage license form and how far your new name strays from the standard options.
On the Marriage License
The simplest route is to choose your new surname when you apply for the marriage license. Many states let both spouses select a new last name right on the application, and the certified marriage certificate then becomes the legal document that proves the change. You show it to government agencies and banks to update your records after the wedding.
The options listed on the license vary by state but usually include taking your spouse’s current surname, keeping your own, hyphenating the two, or combining parts of both into a new name. Order several certified copies of your marriage certificate up front, because nearly every agency wants to see an original rather than a photocopy.
Through a Court Order
If your state’s marriage license doesn’t include a name change option for the husband, or you want a name outside the standard choices, you file for a formal court-ordered name change. This is the same petition anyone would use for a name change unrelated to marriage. You submit it to your local court with your current legal name, the name you want, your date of birth, and your address, then appear before a judge.1USAGov. How to Change Your Name and What Government Agencies to Notify Some jurisdictions require you to publish the name change in a local newspaper, though many states waive publication when the change is tied to marriage.
A court order carries exactly the same legal weight as a marriage-certificate change and is accepted everywhere. It just takes longer and costs more.
What It Costs
Changing your name through the marriage license is essentially free beyond the license fee and the price of certified copies. A court petition runs more. Filing fees range widely by jurisdiction, from under $100 in some states to over $400 in others. Newspaper publication, where required, adds to that.
Then there’s the cost of replacing documents. A new driver’s license or state ID carries a fee that varies by state. Updating a U.S. passport has its own fee schedule, though you can sometimes avoid the cost by acting quickly after the wedding. A new Social Security card is free.
Updating Your Records, In Order
Once you have the certified marriage certificate or court order in hand, work through the agencies in a specific sequence. Each step feeds into the next, so skipping ahead creates mismatches.
Social Security First
Start with the Social Security Administration. Your number doesn’t change, but you need a card showing your new name because other agencies verify identity against SSA records. Depending on your state, you may be able to request the update online through the SSA website. Otherwise, fill out Form SS-5 and bring it to your local SSA office with your name change document and proof of identity.2Social Security Administration. How Do I Change or Correct My Name on My Social Security Number Card? A replacement card for a name change is free, and it doesn’t count against the lifetime replacement limit.3Social Security Administration. Application for a Social Security Card
Driver’s License or State ID
Once the SSA has processed the change, go to the DMV. Bring your new Social Security card, your current license, and your marriage certificate or court order. Most states also require proof of address, and expect a fee for the replacement card.
U.S. Passport
Which form you use depends on timing. If the name change happened less than a year after your most recent passport was issued, you can submit Form DS-5504 by mail at no charge, unless you want expedited processing, which runs $60. You send in your current passport, a certified copy of the name change document, and a new photo.4U.S. Department of State. Name Change for U.S. Passport or Correct a Printing or Data Error
If more than a year has passed since the passport was issued or since the name change, you’ll file Form DS-82 (renewal by mail) or Form DS-11 (in person), depending on your eligibility. Standard passport fees apply.4U.S. Department of State. Name Change for U.S. Passport or Correct a Printing or Data Error
Banks, Credit, and Taxes
Banks generally require an in-person visit with your marriage certificate or court order and a photo ID in your new name. Some will also ask for your updated Social Security card. Credit card issuers often handle changes by phone, but policies vary.
You usually don’t need to contact the credit bureaus separately. When your bank, card issuer, or loan servicer reports your updated name, that change flows through to your credit reports.5Experian. How to Report a Name Change to a Credit Bureau If a report still shows your old name after a few billing cycles, dispute it directly with each bureau. Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion keep separate records, so a correction with one does not carry to the others.
The IRS pulls name information from the Social Security Administration, so there’s no separate IRS notification. What matters is that the name on your tax return matches the name the SSA has on file for your Social Security number when you file. A mismatch will delay your refund. If you married partway through the year and haven’t updated the SSA by filing time, file under the name still on your Social Security card. You can still choose “married filing jointly” either way. If the name on your W-2 doesn’t match your Social Security card, ask your employer for a corrected W-2.6Internal Revenue Service. Name Changes and Social Security Number Matching Issues
Work and Professional Licenses
Tell your employer promptly so payroll, benefits, and tax withholding reflect the new name. Your employer also has to update your Form I-9. They record the new legal name in Supplement B, and USCIS recommends they do so as soon as they learn about the change.7USCIS. Recording Changes of Name and Other Identity Information for Current Employees
Professional licenses in regulated fields such as healthcare, law, or engineering need to be updated with the relevant licensing board. Requirements vary, but most boards want a form, the name change documentation, and a fee. Practicing under a name that doesn’t match your license can cause problems during audits and credential checks.
One Thing This Doesn’t Cover
A father changing his own last name does not automatically change his children’s surnames. If you want your kids to share your new name, that takes a separate court petition. Courts evaluate those requests under a best-interests standard, and both parents generally have to consent or be given notice. The process, fees, and legal standard vary by state.