Questions:

• I'm a woman who is planning to be married soon. Do I have to take my husband's name?
• Can my husband and I both change our names to a hyphenated version of our two names or to a brand new name?
• What if I do want to take my new spouse's name? How do I make the change?
• I just married my same-sex partner. Can I change my last name to be the same as hers?

Answer:

I just married my same-sex partner. Can I change my last name to be the same as hers?

If you and your same-sex partner marry in any of the states that allow it, or register as domestic partners or civil union partners in the states where those relationships are equivalent to marriage, then in theory one partner should be able to take the other partner's name. The change should be recognized by the state department of motor vehicles and, according to the Social Security Administration, by the federal government for purposes of your Social Security card and passport. However, in reality some same-sex couples have had trouble getting their name changes approved after marrying or registering. If that happens to you, keep going up the chain of command until you find someone who's familiar with the law and procedures in this area.