Are there any restrictions for couples to change their last name?

In North Carolina, couples may choose to change their last name after marriage, but there are a few restrictions to be aware of. The law requires that both partners agree to the name change and that the change must be done through the court system. For the name change to be valid, the couple must get a marriage license or certificate from the Register of Deeds in the county where the marriage took place. The couple must both sign the application in front of a notary, and then submit the application, certificate, and fee to the court in the county where the marriage took place. The name change cannot be done immediately after the marriage but must wait until the last step of the divorce process is completed. Also, the name change must be in the same form as on the marriage certificate; for example, if both partners have a middle name on the marriage certificate, the name change must also include both middle names. Other restrictions include that the name change cannot include initials, numbers or symbols, and the name change cannot mislead the public. Additionally, the name change cannot be done in order to avoid creditors or to commit a crime. All changes are considered permanent unless a court order is obtained to reverse the name change.

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