Changing your surname following marriage

As a married couple, you can choose your joint surname, known as the married name. If you do not do so, you and your spouse will continue to use the surnames you had before the marriage.

As a married couple, you can choose the following surnames:

• one of your maiden names
• one of your current surnames
• a double-barrelled surname made up of your surnames

If you choose a double-barrelled surname, it will contain a hyphen. However, you can specify in your declaration to the registry office that the names should not be joined by a hyphen.

If your surname already consists of several names, you may choose to adopt the entire surname or just one of the names it comprises. You cannot adopt the entire surname if you wish to choose a new double-barrelled surname. In this case, you must select one name from the double-barrelled surname you have used to date.

You must choose your married name at the time of the marriage. If you submit the declaration specifying your married name at a later date, you will need to have it officially certified. The following authorities are responsible for official certification:

• Notaries
• Registrars

If your spouse dies, you will retain your married name. You may, by making a further declaration, which must also be officially certified:

• To resume using her maiden name
• take the surname you had before choosing your married name
• Add a middle name to your married name