If you intend to change your last name once you are married, that can usually be done through the marriage process. Once you receive your marriage certificate, it will be your responsibility to notify certain government agencies and update your official identification documents with your new legal name.

A person is generally allowed to change their first name, last name, middle name, or full name—provided the name change is not for a fraudulent purpose or to avoid creditors. The process is often initiated by filing a name change petition in court and providing notice of the name change to government agencies such as (1) the state department of motor vehicles or department of public safety that issues driver’s licenses and (2) the U.S. Social Security Administration.

State voter registration records and passport information (U.S. Department of State) will also need to be updated to reflect a name change.

Some states—such as California—allow a person to change their name simply by using a different name in all aspects of their life. This is known as the usage method for name change. But government agencies will often require a court order as official proof of a name change, so it is generally best to follow that process.

A person may seek a name change for a number of reasons. Following marriage, one spouse will often change their last name to the other spouse’s last name. And one or both spouses generally may change their name following divorce. A person may also change their name to match their gender identity. And the name of a minor child may be changed—often when a parent remarries and the parent’s new spouse adopts the child.

Name change laws vary from state to state and are usually located in a state’s statutes—often in the family code or domestic relations code.

In California, changing your last name after marriage can be done as part of the marriage process. After receiving your marriage certificate, you must inform government agencies and update your identification documents with your new name. For other name changes, California law allows individuals to change their first, middle, last, or entire name through a court petition, provided it's not for fraudulent purposes or to evade creditors. This process includes filing a petition with the court and notifying government agencies such as the DMV and the Social Security Administration. Additionally, voter registration and passport information must be updated. California also recognizes the usage method, where a person may change their name by consistently using a new name in all aspects of life. However, government agencies typically require a court order as proof of a name change. Name changes may occur for various reasons, including marriage, divorce, gender identity alignment, or the adoption of a minor child by a new spouse. The specific procedures for name changes are outlined in state statutes, often within the family or domestic relations code.