Middle Name Change: Law in the US

At the time you get married you can state on your marriage certificate the name you would legally like to keep/change to. But if this is after the fact, then you would have to change your name through a legal process. You would have to figure if your state requires a court order or an administrative order to do so. Its a lot easier to do it right when you get married because its the one time in your life you can change you name without having to go through the courts etc.. i waited about 6 months after we got married and it was a huge headache. but after you get married you are still going to have to change your SS card, drivers license, credit cards etc...