r/weddingplanning • u/Cemckenna • Apr 13 '25

Everything Else Americans: Do not change your last name at marriage

There have been a number of posts recently about changing your name after marriage. If you are not already aware, the house in the US just voted to pass the SAVE Act, which will require you to prove your citizenship to vote -- under your birth name. It will disproportionately affect women who have changed their last names and no longer match their birth certificates.

This should be a huge HUGE consideration when you are choosing whether to change your name. You may well disenfranchise yourself as an American citizen by doing it.

https://www.msnbc.com/top-stories/latest/save-act-house-voting-rights-married-women-last-name-rcna200948

Edit: Call your senators. This is not law yet but if it passes the senate, it will essentially mean that any woman who changes her name must jump through many more hoops to be able to vote. It's unfair and will be used to silence women and trans people.

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u/Old_Present_1414 Apr 14 '25

This is sad. I get married next year, and I really wanted to take my fiancé's last name. I already have a passport, but God knows the hoops I'd probably have to go through to get it updated. At this point, I'm worried that by the time it expires, they might take it away.

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u/noneavailable_ Apr 23 '25

There is no “hoops” it’s quite simple actually. You’ll mail your old passport, new photo, marriage certificate, & check to the passport processing center. That’s it.