Great Officiants

Fun and Romantic Weddings

Great Officiants

Fun and Romantic Weddings

Changing your Name on the Marriage License

Changing your name on a California marriage license

California Name Equality Act

Changing Your Name on a California Marriage License

Getting married and thinking about a new last name? Before your marriage license is issued, take a moment to understand your options under California’s Name Equality Act of 2007.

One spouse, both spouses, or neither spouse may choose a new married name. You are not required to change your name, and you do not have to share the same last name.

This page explains the available middle and last name options, the limits of the marriage license process, and why reviewing your choice before issuance matters.

Your Name. Your Choice.

Keeping your current name is an option. A name change is voluntary for either spouse.

If you choose a new name through this process, enter your permitted selection in the designated new-name fields when applying for your marriage license.

Decide Before the License Is Issued

Review your spelling and name selections carefully. Once the license is issued, you cannot simply add a married name or change your selection because you have changed your mind.

Clerical corrections follow a separate process. See the correction information below.

Can You Change Your First Name?

No. You cannot change your first name through the marriage license name-change process.

The Name Equality Act options on this page concern middle names and last names. If you want to change your first name, consult an attorney or the court’s self-help resources about a separate name-change process.

Last Name Options After Marriage

Each party to the marriage may adopt one of the following last name options:

  1. The other spouse’s current last name.
  2. The last name either spouse was given at birth.
  3. A single blended last name made from all or part of either spouse’s current last name or birth last name.
  4. A combination of last names. The combination may be hyphenated or unhyphenated.

Thinking about a completely unrelated surname? The license offers specific name choices. It is not a general-purpose name-change application. Seek legal guidance if your preferred name falls outside these options.

Middle Name Options After Marriage

Each party to the marriage may adopt one of the following middle name options:

  1. The current last name of either spouse.
  2. The last name either spouse was given at birth.
  3. A combination of the current middle name and the current last name of the person or spouse.
  4. A combination of the current middle name and the birth last name of the person or spouse.

Middle names have different rules from last names. Name segments cannot be used to create a blended middle name through this process.

You cannot simply eliminate your middle name and leave yourself with no middle name through these options. However, replacing an existing middle name with an allowed last name is one of the choices listed above.

Updating Your Records After the Wedding

Selecting a married name on your license does not automatically update your identification, government records, bank accounts, or other accounts.

Your marriage certificate can serve as supporting documentation when you request those updates. Each agency or organization has its own requirements. Check them before applying for your license, especially if you have questions about whether your chosen name will be accepted.

After marriage, notify the appropriate agencies and organizations. These may include Social Security, your motor vehicle agency, passport services, your employer, banks, and insurance providers.

See the official government guide to updating your name for agency information.

Can You Change the Name Fields After Issuance?

You may not add or revise your new-name election after the marriage license has been issued simply to make a different choice.

Clerical errors in the new-name fields are handled differently. A qualifying clerical correction requires an amendment signed by the County Clerk and one of the parties to the marriage. Contact the issuing County Clerk for the applicable procedure.

These restrictions do not remove your right to seek a later name change through a court petition or other legally available means, including applicable nonfraudulent common-law usage. Those options are separate from changing the original name election on your marriage license.

Ready to Arrange Your Marriage License?

Review your name options before your appointment, then start your marriage license application with Great Officiants.

Start Your Marriage License Application See What Documents to Bring

For appointment questions, call 562-435-4000.

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