Considering a Hyphenated Last Name? Here's What You Need to Know

There are plenty of reasons why you might be hesitant to take your partner's name after marriage—and you certainly aren't alone. Some people have established a successful career with name recognition. Others simply prefer their original surname or have strong ties to their lineage. But what if you still want to honor your union and your new family's roots? How do you decide which moniker to take if you're torn between the two? In all these cases and many more, the perfect solution may be a hyphenated last name, aka using two last names postwedding instead of just one. If you're considering combining your last names, use this comprehensive guide to answer all of your questions about the legal ins and outs of this postwedding task.

In this article:

• What Is a Hyphenated Last Name?
• When Hyphenating Names, Which Goes First?
• Can You Hyphenate Your Last Name Without Legally Changing It?
• Pros and Cons of Hyphenated Last Names
• How to Hyphenate Your Last Name After Marriage
• Hyphenated Last Name Examples

What Is a Hyphenated Last Name?

A hyphenated last name is just what it sounds like: your and your partner's last names, connected with—you guessed it—a hyphen. Oftentimes, hyphenated last names are described as a merge of a woman's "maiden" and "married" names (her prewedding surname and her spouse's surname). But this name change option definitely isn't gender-exclusive. Either (or both!) partners in any union can adopt a hyphenated last name.

When Hyphenating Names, Which Goes First?

If you're not sure how to hyphenate your last names, you might be wondering which one goes first. Here's the truth: there's not a one-size-fits-all option. Determining the order of your hyphenated last name ultimately comes down to personal preference, as there isn't a rule that dictates the order. Try both options out and see which one sounds better to you and your partner.

Can You Hyphenate Your Last Name Without Legally Changing It?

Simply put, the answer is yes, you can hyphenate your last name without legally changing it. If you want to use your new joint moniker in casual settings (like online or socially) you certainly can.

That said, if you don't undergo the legal name change process using the hyphenated surname, you must use your previous last name for official purposes. If you do opt to legally hyphenate your last name, you have to stick with it, as all formal documents and situations requiring exact identity (such as airport customs, job applications, tax filings, etc.) will call for both names and the hyphen. You can't hyphenate and then flip-flop between your original name and your partner's name when it comes to official paperwork. You can't drop the hyphen or switch the order of the two last names either.

Pros and Cons of Hyphenated Last Names

The biggest advantage of hyphenated last names is the absence of having to choose between two last names. It allows you to retain your identity while still legally adopting your partner's moniker.

However, there are some drawbacks to hyphenating your last names. If you become a parent and one partner has a hyphenated last name while the other doesn't, you may have a different last name than your children. Believe it or not, there could also be technical difficulties. Some online forms may not correctly read or register your name (think: counting the hyphen as an invalid "special character"). Character limits come into play too, particularly for certain forms of identification (like your passport, driver's license, Social Security card, etc.). If your two last names are really long combined, they may not fit and you could actually have to choose a different surname option! Even if they do fit on your IDs, you may run into future roadblocks writing them out in full.

How to Hyphenate Your Last Name After Marriage

Once the wedding is over and you're ready to adopt a hyphenated last name, you'll need your marriage certificate to initiate the change. The document lets you legally take your partner's surname or a combination of your two last names after marriage. In some states, the marriage license application asks to-be-weds to declare their married name before the wedding day. Pay close attention, because if yours does and you don't, you'll have to petition the court for a name change instead (which is a much more involved—and usually costly—process). In other states, the application asks for just your original names. In that case, you have until after the wedding to decide on a course of action.

Check out The Knot's step-by-step guide to changing your last name. (Psst… we also have how-to guides by state.) There's also the option of a name change service like Easy Name Change, Née Name Change or NewlyNamed, which really cuts down on the research and paperwork you have to do. These brands offer expertise in all sorts of name change situations, so you can go to them with any specific questions you may have about how to legally change your name or how to hyphenate it.

Hyphenated Last Name Examples

When it comes to choosing how to hyphenate your last name, which goes first? Generally, there are no set rules or etiquette when it comes to deciding exactly how your hyphenated last name will read. You can go the "traditional" route and list your maiden name first, or you could choose to list your new last name first, followed by your original last name. Some couples decide to have both partners change to the hyphenated last name, as a show of unity and equality. But can you have two last names while your partner only has one? Absolutely. Let's look at an example:

Suppose Alex Atkinson marries Taylor Lloyd. They could change their name(s) in the following ways:

• Alex Atkinson-Lloyd
• Alex Lloyd-Atkinson
• Taylor Atkinson-Lloyd
• Taylor Lloyd-Atkinson

At the end of the day, changing your name is a personal choice—whether you're hyphenating it, taking your partner's last name, or deciding not to swap surnames at all. Talk it out with your S.O. to determine what's right for you both.

Looking for other name change options? Read about more ways to combine your names after marriage.

Sarah Hanlon contributed to the reporting of this article.