No, it doesn’t have to! Most marriage certificates simply list each spouse’s legal name as it appeared at the time of the wedding. That’s usually all the proof required to start your name change journey.

Marriage certificates typically don’t reflect a chosen married name. However, if your certificate clearly states that you opted not to take your spouse’s name, you’ll likely need a court order from your local courthouse before proceeding with the name change.

A marriage license is the official paperwork you and your partner must apply for before getting married. It confirms that you're legally allowed to marry and is usually issued by your local or county clerk’s office. You’ll sign it around the time of your ceremony, and your officiant will file it afterward with the appropriate government office.

A marriage certificate, on the other hand, is the legal proof that your marriage actually took place. Once your signed license is processed and recorded, the county typically sends you a certified marriage certificate by mail within a couple of weeks.

Depending on where you were married, the license and certificate might be separate forms—or combined into one document. Each jurisdiction handles it a little differently, so it’s always a good idea to check with your local office if you’re unsure.

You’re welcome to purchase your name change kit at any point—before or after your wedding! Just keep in mind: you’ll need to wait until your marriage certificate arrives in order to officially begin the name change process.

Most couples receive their certified marriage certificate about 1–2 weeks after the ceremony. This document is issued by your local government office once your signed marriage license has been returned and processed.

Some areas issue the license and certificate as separate documents, while others combine them into one—every county or city does it a little differently.

Marriage certificates do not expire. They remain valid for life as long as you are legally married.

Yes, in many cases you can. If your marriage certificate only lists your and your spouse’s legal names at the time of marriage, you can generally begin the name change process without issue.

However, if your certificate includes a section for a “married name” and it shows your maiden name or indicates that you opted not to change your name, you’ll likely need to obtain a court order before proceeding.

Yes! Our name change service is available to anyone, regardless of gender, as long as you have a certified marriage certificate or a legal name change order. Name change procedures vary by state, so be sure to follow the specific requirements for your location.

You’ll need at least one certified copy of your marriage certificate to begin the name change process. However, ordering an additional copy is highly recommended—especially since some agencies (like the passport office) may keep your certificate for several weeks or months. Having a spare allows you to continue your name change elsewhere without delays.

Yes, absolutely. You can use our name change kit if your divorce decree or court order specifically authorizes your name change.

Please note: we do not provide legal assistance in obtaining a divorce decree or court order, as we are not a legal service. Our kits are designed to help you after you have the required legal documentation in hand.

Only if your divorce decree specifically includes language authorizing you to return to a previous name (such as your maiden or birth name), can you use it to change your name.

If that language is not included, you’ll need to contact the court that issued the decree to ask if it can be amended. If an amendment isn’t possible—or if you wish to take on a different last name altogether—you’ll need to complete a court-petitioned name change.

To get started, you'll need a certified copy of your legal name change document—this could be:

• marriage certificate (if changing your name after marriage)
  
• divorce decree (if reverting to a previous name after divorce; the decree must specifically authorize the name change)
  
• court order (if changing your first name or selecting a new name entirely)

Once you have the proper document in hand, you're ready to begin the name change process with our kit.

No, a parent’s name change—whether through marriage or divorce—does not automatically change a child’s last name. If you wish to change your child’s name, you’ll need to file a court-petitioned name change on their behalf.

You can—as long as you have a court order authorizing the change. To legally change your first name, you must file a name change petition through your local city or county courthouse. Once approved, you'll receive a court order, which you can then use to begin the name change process with our kit.

To change the name of a minor (under 18), you’ll need to obtain a court order. The process varies by state and county, but it generally includes filing a petition, paying a filing fee, and appearing before a judge for approval.

Please note that our name change kits are intended for adults 18 and older and do not include steps or forms for minor name changes. For guidance, we recommend contacting your local courthouse or speaking with a qualified legal professional.

Yes! Our name change kit can assist with both your name change and gender marker update—as long as you already have a court order authorizing these changes.

Please note: for legal reasons, we cannot help you obtain a court order, as we are not a law firm. Our service is designed to help you complete the name and gender change process after your court order has been issued.

When setting up your account, be sure to select your desired gender marker (options include male, female, or X) and choose “Court Order” as the reason for your name change.

The Name Change Kit covers the cost of the guide and forms. However, you may incur additional fees for filing forms with government agencies or obtaining certified copies of documents. So, how much does it cost to change your name? It will depend on these additional fees.

We accept all major credit cards, Visa debit cards, PayPal, Venmo, and Shop Pay

We prioritize your privacy and use secure methods to handle your personal information. All transactions and data are protected with advanced encryption technology.

No, we do not collect any sensitive personal information. This includes your Social Security number, passport number, driver’s license number, financial account details, or any other private data. Your privacy and security are extremely important to us.

We do not share, sell, or disclose your personal information to any third parties. Protecting your privacy is a top priority, and we strictly adhere to our Privacy Policy, which ensures your data remains secure and confidential.

No. We do not require you to upload any legal documents such as your marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. Because we don’t collect these files, we also do not store or retain them in any way. Your privacy and data security are fully protected throughout the process.

1. install the “Add to Zola” browser button from Zola.
2. Visit the NameChange Packages page.
3. Click the Zola button in your browser toolbar.
4. Confirm the item details in the popup and click “Add to Registry.”
5. Once the gift is purchased, a NameChange gift card will be mailed to you.

1. Go to myregistry.com/Info/Add-To-MyRegistry-Button-Extension and select “Get The Button” to install the extension.
2. Head to the NameChange Packages page.
3. Click the MyRegistry button in your browser extensions menu.
4. In the popup window, click “Add to My Registry.”
5. Edit the listing details if needed and click “Add Gift.”
6. After the gift is purchased, a NameChange gift card will be sent to you by mail.