Pursuant to Family Code (FAM) Section 306.5(b)(2), each party to the marriage
may adopt any of the following
last names:
- The current last name of the other spouse.
- The last name of either spouse given at birth.
- A name combining into a
single last name all or a segment of the current last name or the last name of either spouse given at birth.
- A combination of last names.
Pursuant to FAM 306.5 (b)(3), each party to the marriage
may adopt any of the following
middle names:
- The current last name of either spouse.
- The last name of either spouse given at birth.
- A combination of the current middle name and the current last name of the person or spouse.
- A combination of the current middle name and the last name given at birth of the person or spouse.
NOTE: Parties to the marriage
may not change their first name on the marriage license. Parties to the marriage may not add or amend this information after the marriage license is issued
unless it is a
clerical error and the amendment is signed by
one of the parties to the marriage and the County Clerk, a Deputy Clerk, or a notary authorized to issue confidential marriage licenses.
Parties to the marriage are not required to change their name, nor are they required to have the same name. If one or both parties do not wish to identify a new name on the marriage license, the fields on the marriage license will be completed using two single dashes.
The information on the marriage license cannot be changed after it has been issued by the County Clerk.
The marriage record is used by multiple local, state, federal and private agencies, each of which have different requirements regarding what documents are acceptable to change your name on their records following the solemnization of the marriage. It is recommended to contact these agencies to verify their requirements
prior to applying for a marriage license.
County Clerk staff cannot provide information on how to complete the marriage license application as it relates to the entry of a new name or retention of your former name on the marriage license application. For your protection, if you have
any questions about the Name Equality Act and how changing your name may affect you legally, please consult with a private attorney or seek legal advice
prior to applying for your marriage license.