Some women who marry choose to change their surname to their husband's surname. This is done as a matter of custom and not of law.

A formal Change of Name conducted at the Registry is not required if you wish to take your husband's name. A Standard Marriage Certificate is usually sufficient evidence to have personal documentation, such as your driver's licence and passport changed to your married surname.

Some women however do wish to formally change their name with the Registry. It's simply a matter of choice.

If you decide to change your surname to your husband's name the Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) and the Passport Office need to view your official Standard Marriage Certificate issued by us.

The RTA and Passports Office will not accept the Certificate of Marriage issued by the marriage celebrant on the day of the marriage, as it does not contain security features and can be easily reproduced. It also does not contain the full details of the parties to the marriage such as parents' names and dates of birth.

This policy, set by the RTA and the Passports Office, is to prevent the opportunity for drivers' licences and passports to be fraudulently obtained.

Note - you should first check with the RTA Office and the Passports Office to determine their specific requirements.