Changing your name after marriage is a pretty simple process after getting married.
If you are married using a Los Angeles County marriage license, you will receive the “customer copy” of your marriage license and certificate to keep on your wedding day. The customer copy has original signatures and notary seal and is provided specifically so you will have immediate proof of your marriage for purposes of insurance, banking, and any other non-government third parties. In other counties, you will not receive a customer copy but will have to photocopy the original copy of your marriage license and certificate before it is filed with the County after your wedding day.
You can only change your name after marriage using the simple steps below if, and only if, you include your name change on your marriage license and certificate. If you do not include your name change on your marriage license and certificate you can change your name only by filing a Petition for Change of Name with the Superior Court. A Name Change Petition can be unnecessarily costly and time-consuming. Please go to this link to learn what your name change options are when you are married.
You will also need to purchase at least one “certified copy” of your license and certificate so you will have permanent proof of your marriage for government purpose. In Los Angeles County, each certified copy costs $15 (as of 2015) and you’ll receive them more quickly if I file your certified copy request attached to the original copy of your marriage license and certificate when it is filed with the County immediately after your wedding day. You’ll receive them within approximately 6-12 weeks that way. In other Counties, certified copies may cost slightly more or less but will typically cost between $14 and $17 apiece.
I can help you change your name.
If you did not include a name change on your marriage license or you wish to change your name to something other than the name you included on your marriage license I can help you prepare and file your Petition for Name Change and file it with the proper Court. I will charge far less than an attorney would but your name change will be completed just as quickly. I am familiar with all of the required court forms, the personal history assessment and the mandatory publication of the petition. A Name Change Petition sounds overwhelming and time-consuming but, with my help, all of your documents can be completed after one meeting.
Please contact me and you will be one step closer to your new name. Please fill out this form and Chris will get back to you:
Chris Robinson, the Officiant Guy, is a Los Angeles celebrant. He has been helping couples marry and providing California confidential wedding licenses for over dozens of years. He is able to be your officiant for any kind of wedding from a gay wedding to a straight wedding with possible additions from wedding broom ceremonies to unity candle ceremonies. The Officiant Guy is the most popular marriage officiant in Southern California. If you are getting married somewhere in Orange County give the best officiant in Southern CA a phone call at (310) 882-5039 or (562) 547-3255 or fill out the contact form.
Click below to find more information about getting a marriage license in California:
California Marriage License Information
Can I Get a Marriage License After Our Wedding Ceremony?
Confidential Marriage License California
Confidential Marriage License vs Public Marriage License
Copy of California Marriage License
Do You Get a Marriage License Before Or After The Wedding?
Getting a Copy of the Marriage Certificate
How Much Does a Marriage License Cost in Los Angeles, California
Marriage License and Marriage Certificate Precision
Marriage Requirements in California
Orange County Marriage License
Submit Your Los Angeles County Marriage License Information
The Wedding Laws California
What Happens After You Sign Your Marriage License?
What is a Confidential Marriage License in California?
When You Forgot to Get a Marriage License Before Your Wedding