In the Philippines, the transition from a maiden name to a married name is a significant legal and personal milestone. While common practice suggests it is mandatory, Philippine law and jurisprudence provide a more nuanced perspective. This article outlines the legal basis, the options available to married women, and the procedural requirements for updating government-issued identification.

1. The Legal Basis: Right, Not an Obligation

Under Article 370 of the Civil Code of the Philippines, a married woman has three distinct options regarding her surname. It is a well-settled principle in Philippine jurisprudence (notably in Remo v. Secretary of Foreign Affairs) that a woman is not required to adopt her husband's surname; she merely has the right to do so.

The three options under Article 370 are:

Her maiden first name and surname plus her husband's surname (e.g., Jane Doe-Smith);
Her maiden first name and her husband's surname (e.g., Jane Smith);
Her husband's full name, but prefixing a word indicating she is his wife, such as "Mrs." (e.g., Mrs. John Smith).

Additionally, a woman may choose to retain her maiden name entirely (e.g., Jane Doe) for all professional and personal transactions.

2. General Requirements for All Government IDs

To update any government ID, the primary document required is the PSA-issued Marriage Certificate. This serves as the "source document" verifying the change in civil status.

Core Documents Needed:

PSA Marriage Certificate: Original and photocopies (Must be on security paper).
Current Government ID: Reflecting the maiden name.
Standard Fees: Varying depending on the agency.

3. Specific Agency Requirements

A. Philippine Passport (Department of Foreign Affairs - DFA)

Changing the name on a passport requires a renewal application. You cannot simply "edit" an existing passport.

Requirements: Confirmed online appointment, current passport, and the PSA Marriage Certificate.
Note: If the marriage was celebrated abroad, the marriage must be reported to the Philippine Consulate, and a Report of Marriage (ROM) is required.

B. Social Security System (SSS)

To update SSS records, the member must file an SSS Form E-4 (Member's Data Change Request).

Requirements: PSA Marriage Certificate and the original UMID or any two valid IDs.

C. Unified Multi-Purpose ID (UMID / GSIS)

For government employees (GSIS) or SSS members requesting a new card:

Requirements: Accomplished UMID application form, PSA Marriage Certificate, and two valid government-issued IDs.

D. Professional Regulation Commission (PRC)

For licensed professionals (nurses, teachers, engineers, etc.), the change is handled via a Petition for Change of Name due to Marriage.

Requirements: Statutory fee, PSA Marriage Certificate, and the original/duplicate Professional ID card.

E. Driver’s License (Land Transportation Office - LTO)

Updating a license is done through a "Revision of Records" application.

Requirements: PSA Marriage Certificate, current Driver's License, and a formal Application for Driver's License (ADL) form.

F. Philippine Identification System (PhilID / PhilSys)

The National ID can be updated by visiting a PhilSys registration center.

Requirements: PSA Marriage Certificate and the original PhilID or ePhilID.

4. Important Legal Considerations

Consistency is Key: Once a woman chooses to adopt her husband’s surname in one major government document (like a Passport or SSS), she should update all other IDs to match. Discrepancies between IDs can lead to significant delays in banking, travel, and legal transactions.

Reverting to Maiden Name: It is important to note that once a woman chooses to use her husband's surname on her passport, she cannot revert to her maiden name while the marriage subsists, except in cases of:

Death of the husband;
Annulment or Declaration of Nullity of Marriage;
Legal Separation (subject to specific court rulings);
Divorce (if validly obtained by an alien spouse and recognized in the Philippines).

5. Summary Table of Process

Agency	Primary Form	Key Document
DFA	Passport Renewal Form	PSA Marriage Certificate
SSS	Form E-4	PSA Marriage Certificate
LTO	ADL Form	PSA Marriage Certificate
PRC	Petition for Change of Status	PSA Marriage Certificate
BIR	Form 1905	PSA Marriage Certificate