Can the children of a marriage get the las name of both parents in a hyphenated last name (in USA or Canada)?

Question

Do you know parents that have done it?

But the husband has to add the wife's last name to his last name or not?

Answer 1

Yes, it is completely allowed, but not neccessarily "common." It can be quite tough on the child in elementary years, having to write out a hyphenated name. But they could appreciate the dual-identity their parents gave them later on.

I once knew a boy named Shawn Magee-Skinner. But whenever teachers read the attendence list they thought his name was Maggie Shawn Skinner, so people always called him by a girls name! Just a humorous story.

You can also keep your maiden name hyphenated to your husband's name when you marry, and I'm not sure about a husband adopting his wife's name to his own. Probably allowed, I just haven't heard of it.

Oh, this is all U.S.-based knowledge. I'm not sure about Canada.

Answer 2

Yes, they can have whatever name the parents want to give them, in whatever order the parents want them to be in. And no, neither the husband or the wife needs to legally change their surnames to match those of the children. Both parents can keep their own last name, or both can hyphenate if they want, or either one can change their last name. There are no specific rules when it comes to names.

Answer 3

Yes. If you're talking about changing their names from a different last name, you have to file papers with the county courthouse. If a biological parent fights it, you can't do it, until the child is 18 and decides for herself/himself.

If you are takling about kids who are yet to be born: just write it on the birth certificate.

Answer 4

In the USA you can, I don't know about Canada. And the husband doesn't have to change his name, unless he wants the same name as his kids. Same for the mother.

Good luck.

Answer 5

I had a friend in high school with the last name Martinez-Brown, but when he wrote his name on school papers and stuff he just wrote Martinez. I think the only time he used Martinez-Brown was at graduation and on official documents. Even on his military uniform now it only says Martinez.

Answer 6

Yes my friends kid's last name is similar to (cant say the real names) zipwich-karubi as if one weird surname wasn't enough!!

Answer 7

Yes. My son was born as Jack Ryan Matson-Swann. Matson is my husband's last name, Swann in my maiden name.

Answer 8

YA you can i have my mom last name then my dadas name after that. looks like smith- cater

Answer 9

yes

Answer 10

yes