Change Your Name After Marriage
A plain-English guide to changing your name after marriage, including when you can use your marriage certificate and when a formal name change may be needed.
There is no rule saying you must change your name after marriage.
Some people do, some people do not, and some people use different names in different parts of life.
Common Options
After marriage, people often:
- keep their current surname
- take their spouse’s surname
- use a hyphenated surname
When the Official Marriage Certificate Helps
For many everyday updates, the official certificate from WA Births, Deaths and Marriages is the document people use when they want to start using a spouse’s surname.
When a Formal Name Change May Be Needed
If you want a completely new surname or another custom arrangement, you may need a formal change of name through the relevant BDM office.
Typical Places to Update
If you do change your name, common updates include:
- driver licence
- passport
- Medicare
- banks
- superannuation
- employer records
Good to Know
There is no rush. People can change their name later if they want to.