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 Florida, changing your last name after marriage is a common process that can be initiated using your marriage certificate. After marriage, you should notify government agencies such as the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to update your driver’s license and the Social Security Administration for your social security information. Additionally, you'll need to update your state voter registration records and passport with the U.S. Department of State. For other name changes outside of marriage, such as changing your first, middle, or full name, you must file a petition with the court for a legal name change. This process requires a court order, which then must be presented to various government agencies for your new name to be recognized officially. The usage method of name change, where a person simply starts using a new name, is not typically sufficient for official purposes in Florida. Name changes can be sought for various reasons, including after a divorce, for gender identity alignment, or when a minor child's name is changed, potentially due to adoption by a step-parent. Florida's name change laws are found within the state statutes, which detail the specific requirements and procedures for legally changing one's name.