The process of legally altering one’s surname following a marital union in the state of Georgia involves specific procedures. This action allows an individual to adopt the surname of their spouse, revert to a previous name, or hyphenate their current and spouse’s surnames. For example, a person named Jane Doe marrying John Smith might choose to become Jane Smith, Jane Doe-Smith, or revert to a maiden name she previously held.
Formally updating one’s name is significant for several reasons. It ensures consistency across legal documents, identification, and professional records. This uniformity simplifies transactions, reduces potential confusion, and solidifies personal identity following a life event such as marriage. Historically, name changes upon marriage have often reflected societal norms regarding family unity and identity, although modern practices offer broader choices to individuals.