After months, or maybe even years, of planning your wedding, the prospect of changing your name might seem rather simple—at least at first. Just sign a new name on your wedding certificate, and you're done, right? The reality, however, is that there are more challenges with changing your name than most people realize.

[...]

If you decide not to change your name—which is completely fine—it's worth noting a few disadvantages of not changing your name after marriage. First, it can be really confusing to others. People might assume you and your spouse do share the same last name, leading to mix-ups in social or professional settings. This can be especially tricky when dealing with things like travel or joint accounts.

If you have children during your marriage, you may also face additional questions or have to provide additional confirmation of your status as a parent if your last name differs from that of your child, notes Ernestine J. Mings, a partner in the Matrimonial and Family Law Practice at Blank Rome in New York. "That can be a real nuisance, no matter how secure you feel about your decision," she adds.

...

Figuring out how to change your name when you are getting married and deciding whether or not to do so can be part of an important discussion about expectations, balance and compromise with your partner, Mings explains. "My fiancé (at the time) assumed that I would change my name to match his surname when we got married," she says. "In deciding whether or not I wanted to change my surname, we talked about why it was so important to him that my surname match his as well as about how important it was to me to maintain my own identity in our marriage, whether I decided to change my name or not." After thoughtful conversations, a bit of negotiation (lawyer skills in action), and some compromise, she chose what felt right for her and their relationship. Her husband fully supported her choice, no matter what.

To read the full article, please click here.

"5 Challenges with Changing Your Name That No One Tells You," by Jenn Sinrich was published in The Knot on January 28, 2025.