How to Legally Hyphenate Your Last Name after Married

Marriage heralds a new life. However, there is a part you desire to remain with even as you adopt a new identity. One of these elements you want to retain is your old name. You also want to adapt the name of your spouse so that the entire family can have similar last names. This is why many people choose Hyphenating last name after marriage.

Hyphenating the last after your wedding is considered an easy option. People can still refer to you using the previous name and also the new on you have adapted. But why do people choose to hyphenate as opposed to changing the name completely?

• Signal Change- your friends who witnessed the wedding will look at you with different eyes. By hyphenating, you give them a chance to refer to you by a new name. It gives them an impression that you really changed. 
• Maintain Identity-though you are changing your status upon marriage, you do not lose the old self. You cannot take the name of your spouse in totality. This helps you to continue holding on to your identity for a while.
• Professional purposes-professionals who rely on their names to attract clients would have a difficult time losing all their names. By hyphenating, you mark the transition into a married partner while you also maintain the previous identity. You do not have to build your brand again from scratch. It also gives clients and associates time to get used to the new identity without an abrupt shift. 
• Good for your children-hyphenating the name allows you to share an identity with your children. Most children will take the name of their father. Once the name of your spouse appears on your documents and those of your children, it will be easier to claim parentage and identity. 
• Easier to reverse- statistics on divorce are evidence that not all marriages will last. In case you wish to revert to your original name, it will be easier. You will also not have lost your full identity. 
• You make your husband happy while still remaining happy- there is no legal requirement that you should change your name completely. You will want to maintain your identity. You also want to please your spouse by adapting his name. Hyphenating last name after marriage is an opportunity to hit two birds with a single stone. 

The process of hyphenating your name will be similar to that of changing your name legally. The law recognizes this as adapting a new identity. This means that you are required to complete the procedure as though you are taking on a totally new identity. 

• Obtain the necessary documents- the marriage certificate provides strong justification for you to change name. When it is presented in a petition, the judge believes your petition more. You should, therefore, include the certificate when filing the petition in court. 
• File your petition for name change in a probate court-this should be done in the county where you reside. You can also file the petition in a circuit court. Each state has a unique process of filing petition for name change. Check with your county clear for the procedure to follow in your situation. 
• You will get a hearing date- this request is made at the office of the clerk who will assign you a date. There are cases where the hearing date is set automatically and not on your request. Some of these filing documents can be downloaded online. This saves you the trouble of having to visit the office physically. 
• Publish the name change petition on newspapers- the publication is done on newspapers that circulate throughout the county. However, some may require you to extent to other areas. The newspaper must have significant circulation. A grace period is given to anyone who may object to your application for name change. 
• Name change order- the order is issues once the court is sure that there is no objection and you have paid necessary dues. The time provided for the publication process must also lapse before the order is issued. You might be required to file the order with the clerk in some counties. 

Do not allow this hectic process of Hyphenating last name after marriage to discourage you. You can enlist the services of an agent who takes up your papers and follows up until all persons and institutions are informed of the changes. This saves you time and is cost effective. Notify the Social Security Administration office for issuance of a new card. You will also need to change your Driver’s License and also inform banks, credit card providers, mortgage companies and other entities where you identity is necessary for record purposes.