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 Rhode Island, changing your last name after marriage is a straightforward process that can be done through the marriage certificate obtained after the ceremony. Once married, you can use the marriage certificate to update your name with various government agencies. For other name changes, including first, middle, or full name changes, Rhode Island requires individuals to file a petition with the court. The court process involves providing notice of the name change and obtaining a court order, which is then used to update records with the Department of Motor Vehicles, Social Security Administration, voter registration, and passport services. Rhode Island does not allow for a name change through usage alone; a court order is typically required. Name changes can occur for various reasons, including marriage, divorce, gender identity alignment, or the adoption of a minor child. It is important to follow the specific legal procedures in Rhode Island to ensure the name change is recognized by all government agencies and to avoid issues with legal documents or identification.