Last name upon marriage
- Service
- Nationwide except the Åland Islands
- Public service
When requesting an examination of impediments to marriage, you must indicate which last name you use after the marriage ceremony. You can keep your last names as they are or change your name.
Changing your last name is free of charge in connection with a marriage ceremony, when:
- you take the other spouse's name as a common last name
- one or both spouses take a compound last name.
A compound ...
Do the following
- Study the different options on the Digital and Population Data Services Agency’s website before requesting an examination of impediments to marriage.
- Request an examination of impediments in our online service and indicate which last name you will use after the marriage ceremony.
- Changed last names will be recorded in the Population Information System in a few days after the marriage ceremony. You will be sent a new Kela card after the name change, but you must obtain a new passport, personal identity card and driving licence yourself.
To whom and on what terms
You need your spouse’s permission if you want to use their last name or part of their compound last name. Your spouse can give their consent when you request the examination of impediments.
A last name you have received from a previous spouse cannot be used as a shared last name or part of a compound name with your new spouse.
The examination of impediments will also verify that the name you give is lawful. If necessary, we will ask for a clarification. The lawfulness of your name will be stated on the certificate of impediments to marriage.