N.Y. Civil Rights Law § 65: Optional change of name upon marriage, divorce or annulment

§ 65. Optional change of name upon marriage, divorce or annulment. 1.

Any person may, upon marriage, elect to assume a new name according to

the provisions of paragraph (b) of subdivision one of section fifteen of

the domestic relations law.

2. Any person may, upon divorce or annulment, elect to resume the use

of a former surname or middle name according to the provisions of

section two hundred forty-a of the domestic relations law.

3. The effect of the name changes accomplished in the manner

prescribed in subdivisions one and two of this section shall be as set

forth in section sixty-four of this article.

4. Nothing in this article shall be construed to abrogate or alter the

common law right of every person, whether married or single, to retain

his or her name or to assume a new one so long as the new name is used

consistently and without intent to defraud.

5. Notwithstanding any inconsistent provision of law, the state shall

not impose any fee, charge, surcharge or assessment solely to change the

surname or middle name contained on a license, permit, registration or

other identifying document for a person who, because of a change in

marital status, has assumed a new name or reassumes use of a former

surname as provided for in this section.