Allow Widow/Widower To Hyphenate Name.

This bill allows widows and widowers in North Carolina to legally hyphenate their pre-marriage surname with their late spouse's surname. It amends state law to add this option as a specific choice when changing a name after the death of a spouse, alongside existing choices like resuming a maiden name or using a prior spouse's surname. To implement this, individuals would apply to their county clerk of court with proof of the spouse's death, similar to current name change procedures. The change directly affects widows and widowers seeking a formal, legally recognized hyphenated surname combining their pre-marital and deceased spouse's last names.