My fiancé has requested a last name change in the courts and we were waiting on the name change to get married. Then I heard that when you get married, whatever last name you sign the marriage certificate as becomes your legal last name once it is filed in the town clerks office. I wanted to know if this is true. Can he just change his name by writing it on the marriage certificate? Then can I also take that name if I choose?
FYI- the marriage will be in NY but we will live in NC.

My fiance has requested a last name change in the courts and we were waiting on the name change to get married. Then I heard that when you get married, whatever last name you sign the marriage certificate as becomes your legal last name once it is filed in the town clerks office. I wanted to know if this is true. Can he just change his name by writing it on the marriage certificate? Then can I also take that name if I choose?
FYI- the marriage will be in NY but we will live in NC.



That's not true - you can't just sign any name on the marriage certificate and then assume that name. He COULD assume your current last name; you COULD assume his current last name; you CAN'T pick a third last name.

That's not true - you can't just sign any name on the marriage certificate and then assume that name. He COULD assume your current last name; you COULD assume his current last name; you CAN'T pick a third last name.

Not entirely true. They could both legally change their last names. I had a friend named Pierce marry a guy named Stuski. They both changed their names to Stupierski. They went to the courthouse and did legal name changes like anyone can/would.

Correction: he went into the court a few weeks before the wedding and legally changed his name. She then took the new name when she got married.

Not entirely true. They could both legally change their last names. I had a friend named Pierce marry a guy named Stuski. They both changed their names to Stupierski. They went to the courthouse and did legal name changes like anyone can/would.

Correction: he went into the court a few weeks before the wedding and legally changed his name. She then took the new name when she got married.



Thought I had you there, Steve, but you beat me back and corrected yourself. Drat!