Sen. Murdock files bill in North Carolina Senate on surname changes for widows and widowers

A new bill filed by State Sen. Natalie S. Murdock seeks to permit widows and widowers to change their surnames by hyphenating or reverting to previous spouses’ names, according to the North Carolina State Senate.

The bill, filed as SB 476 on March 24 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Allow Widow/Widower To Hyphenate Name.’

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill permits widows and widowers to hyphenate their pre-marriage surname with that of their last spouse. It allows them to change their name to either their pre-marriage surname, their pre-marriage surname hyphenated with their last spouse’s surname, or the surname of a previously deceased or divorced spouse. The application for such a name change must be made to the clerk of court in the applicant’s county of residence and should include the full name of the last spouse and a copy of their death certificate. If changing to a surname of a previously divorced spouse still living, an affidavit signed by that spouse consenting to the change is required. The clerks of court will record and index these applications as directed by the Administrative Office of the Courts. The act becomes effective upon becoming law.

Murdock proposed another 36 bills during the 2025 regular session.

Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.

You can read more about the bills and other measures here.

Murdock graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a BA.

Murdock, a Democrat, was elected to the North Carolina State Senate in 2020 to represent the state’s 20th Senate district, replacing previous state senator Mickey Michaux.