A practical, everything-you-need-to-know guide. General information only, not legal advice.

1) Big picture: Changing your surname is optional

Under Philippine law, a woman is not required to adopt her husband’s surname after marriage. The Civil Code allows, but does not compel, these naming styles:

Maiden first name + maiden surname + husband’s surname

e.g., Maria Cruz Reyes → Maria Cruz Reyes Santos
Maiden first name + husband’s surname

e.g., Maria Santos
Husband’s full name, preceded by “Mrs.”

e.g., Mrs. Juan Santos

Keeping your maiden name is always permitted.

Important: Your PSA birth certificate never changes because of marriage. Your PSA marriage certificate evidences the new civil status and your chosen usage for post-marriage identification.

Men do not automatically acquire their spouse’s surname by marriage. A man who wishes to use his wife’s surname formally would generally need a court petition to change name (Rule 103), unless the use is merely social/informal.

2) Legal bases & key rules (plain-English digest)

Civil Code (Arts. 370–372): Lists the naming options for married women and consequences on dissolution of marriage.
Family Code: Governs the effects of marriage and capacity to act; it does not impose a mandatory surname change.
Civil Registry framework (Rules/PSA Circulars): Your marriage certificate is the operative proof for post-marriage name usage; the birth record remains as is.
Change of name laws:
- R.A. 9048/10172 allow administrative correction of clerical errors, first name/day-month-sex entries—not a wholesale change of surname by choice.
- Rule 103 (judicial) applies to change of surname outside scenarios expressly allowed by law (e.g., a husband wanting to take wife’s surname).
Passport & government ID practice: You may assume the husband’s surname; reverting to your maiden surname after you’ve already used the married surname on a passport or IDs typically requires proof of dissolution of marriage (annulment/nullity decree with PSA annotation), death of spouse, or a specific court order. This is to avoid identity confusion.

3) Decide your post-marriage naming style

Before touching any ID:

Pick one of the legally recognized formats (or keep your maiden name).
Consider consistency for travel tickets, bank accounts, professional license, and payroll.
If you maintain your maiden name for professional practice (e.g., publications, license), you may still use the husband’s surname in personal affairs—just manage documentation carefully.

4) Core documentary requirements

PSA-issued Marriage Certificate (security paper).
Valid government ID(s).
Old ID/passport to be replaced/renewed.
Agency-specific forms (change/renewal/updates).
1×1 or 2×2 photos if required by the agency.
Supporting documents when applicable (e.g., court decision, death certificate) for reversion.

Keep clear, legible photocopies and bring originals for verification.

5) Practical step-by-step: Updating government records & IDs

You can adopt the husband’s surname without a court case. You just update records with each agency using your PSA marriage certificate.

A) Philippine Passport (DFA)

When to apply: On renewal or anytime you opt to change to your married surname.
Usual items: Online appointment, accomplished form, current passport (if any), PSA marriage certificate (and photocopy).
Note on reversion: If your passport already bears the married surname and you wish to return to maiden surname, you’ll generally need proof (PSA-annotated annulment/nullity decree, death certificate of spouse, or court order). If separated-in-fact or pending case, you usually cannot revert yet for passport purposes.

Travel tip: Your ticket name must match your passport. If you recently married and retained your maiden surname on your passport, use that name for tickets until you renew.

B) PhilID (PhilSys), SSS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG, GSIS

File a Member Data Change/Updating form per agency.
Present the PSA marriage certificate; bring your old ID/number.
Some agencies issue a new card; others update the backend but retain the number.

C) BIR (TIN)

File a BIR Form for Registration Information Update with RDO of your employer/business.
Update name, civil status, and registered address if applicable.
Employers should mirror the change in Alphalist and payroll tax records.

D) COMELEC (Voter’s Record)

Apply for record update (name/civil status) during the registration/rec list period.
Bring PSA marriage certificate and valid ID.

E) LTO Driver’s License

File a name change request at an LTO Licensing Center.
Bring marriage certificate, current license, and clear copies.
You may receive a reprinted card or an e-license update.

F) Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) / IBP / Other Licenses

PRC: File Petition for Change of Registered Name citing marriage and attach the PSA marriage certificate; pay the corresponding fee.
Lawyers: Update Roll of Attorneys/IBP records; keep consistency with notarial commission and MCLE certificates.

G) Banks, e-wallets, insurers, utilities, telcos

Submit a customer information update with marriage certificate and valid ID.
Some banks may require you to open new checkbooks/cards.

H) Employer & payroll

Provide HR with your marriage certificate and updated government numbers/IDs to align PhilHealth/SSS/Pag-IBIG and withholding tax records.
Update HMO, emergency contacts, and beneficiary designations.

6) What not to expect or do

No amendment of your PSA birth certificate just because you changed usage after marriage.
No need for court proceedings simply to adopt the husband’s surname.
Do not mix names across official IDs (e.g., maiden in passport but married in airline ticket) when traveling—this causes hold-ups.
Avoid partial updates (e.g., change SSS but not BIR), which can create payroll and tax mismatches.

7) Special scenarios & edge cases

A) Hyphenation

Example: Maria Reyes-Santos.
Hyphenation is a matter of usage (style) if it simply appends the husband’s surname to yours. Many agencies accept it with your marriage certificate. If you intend to replace your surname (not merely add) or adopt a style not contemplated by law, a court petition may be needed—especially if the civil registry entry would have to be altered.

B) Dual citizens / immigrants

Keep your Philippine and foreign IDs consistent per each jurisdiction’s rules. Some countries require a deed poll or formal name change; your Philippine marriage certificate may suffice or need apostille.

C) Muslim personal law

Many Muslim women customarily retain their maiden surname. If adopting the husband’s surname for government IDs, the PSA marriage certificate (Shari’a court/Registrar) remains the proof for updates.

D) Annulment/Nullity/Death

On death of spouse or upon final decree of nullity/annulment (PSA-annotated), a woman may resume her maiden surname.
Legal separation does not dissolve marriage; you remain married and may keep the married surname or continue your pre-existing usage, subject to agency policies for IDs.

E) Separated-in-fact / pending cases

Reversion in sensitive IDs (notably passport) usually requires final proof of marital dissolution, not just separation or a pending petition.

F) Husband wishing to use wife’s surname

Not automatic. For formal civil registry/ID purposes, this typically requires a judicial change of name (Rule 103), supported by proper cause.

8) Data privacy & security when you change names

Provide only minimum necessary documents (avoid over-sharing unrelated records).
Redact non-essential information on copies when allowed (e.g., TIN on a bank copy if not required).
Keep a secure “name change kit”: scans of your PSA marriage certificate, government updating receipts, and a tracker of where you’ve already updated.

9) Timeline, fees, and sequencing tips

Sequencing (suggested):
1. Decide your naming style.
2. Update BIR (so payroll/taxes align).
3. Update SSS/PhilHealth/Pag-IBIG/PhilID.
4. Update employer, banks, insurers, and licenses.
5. Passport next, timed with travel plans (to avoid ticket mismatches).
6. COMELEC, LTO, PRC and others as soon as practicable.
Processing times/fees: Vary by agency and service center; bring cash, and expect photos/biometrics for ID reprints.

10) Frequently asked questions

Q: Can I keep my maiden name for everything? A: Yes. Marriage does not require a surname change.

Q: Can I use my maiden name at work but married name personally? A: Yes, but align with payroll/tax IDs to avoid compliance issues. For licensed professions, update PRC if you want your license printed in the married name.

Q: Do I need my husband’s consent? A: No. The choice to use the husband’s surname is yours.

Q: I used my married surname on my passport but now want to revert. A: You typically need proof of marital dissolution (PSA-annotated decree) or husband’s death certificate, or a court order, to revert in passport records.

Q: My signature changed—do I need to re-sign everything? A: Update your specimen signature with banks and key agencies; keep a record of your former signature for reference.

11) One-page action checklist

Choose your legal naming style (or keep maiden).
Collect: PSA marriage certificate (multiple copies), valid IDs, ID photos.
Update: BIR → SSS/PhilHealth/Pag-IBIG/PhilID → employer/payroll → banks/insurers → passport → COMELEC/LTO/PRC/others.
Standardize signature and e-mail/display names; update digital accounts.
Archive receipts and confirmations; maintain a tracker.

If you want, share your chosen naming style and the IDs you need updated first; I can draft a tailored, step-by-step sequence and a “name change kit” checklist for those specific agencies.