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 Pennsylvania (PA), changing your last name after marriage is a straightforward process. Once you are married and have your marriage certificate, you can use it to update your name with various government agencies. This includes the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) for your driver's license, the Social Security Administration for your social security card, and the appropriate agencies for voter registration and passport information. For other name changes, such as changing your first, middle, or full name for reasons other than marriage, you must file a petition with the court. The court process involves filing a legal document called a 'Petition for Change of Name' and potentially publishing notice of the name change, attending a hearing, and obtaining a court order. This court order can then be used to update your legal documents. The usage method, where a person simply starts using a new name in all aspects of their life without a court order, is not commonly recognized in PA for official name changes. Whether changing a name after marriage, divorce, for gender identity reasons, or for a minor child (possibly in cases of adoption), it is important to follow the legal procedures set forth by Pennsylvania law to ensure the name change is recognized by all government agencies and for all legal purposes.