The best information I would say to look at is the NYC.gov website regarding marriage license information.
http://www.cityclerk.nyc.gov/html/marriage/license.shtml#name This is copied directly from there:
Name Change Options
We ask you to carefully consider whether to change your surname.
Learn more about Name Change Options
Learn more about Domestic Relations Law
* Various surname options are listed on the back of the application.
* You must state your choice of surname on the application. If you elect to make a surname change on your application, the surname change takes legal effect at the conclusion of the Marriage Ceremony.
* The name change option does not apply to your first name or middle name.
* If you wish to change your surname through this office after your Marriage Ceremony, you must remarry.
* Although you may correct mistakes in your Certificate of Marriage Registration, a surname choice is not considered a mistake and cannot be changed through our Amendment process.
http://www.cityclerk.nyc.gov/html/marriage/name_change.shtml Introduction
* New York State Law permits you to change your last name (surname) as a result of getting married.
* This law does not permit you to change your first name or middle name through marriage.
* View the exact language of the Domestic Relations Law of the State of New York.
Decision to change name when getting married
* Your surname does not change automatically upon marriage unless you elect to change it.
* Nothing in the law requires you to change your name when getting married; it is your personal choice.
* You are not required to have the same surname as your spouse.
Name change procedure and options
* Should you elect to change your surname, the change takes effect immediately upon the completion of your Marriage Ceremony.
* Either you or your prospective spouse may elect to change your surname by entering the new surname in the appropriate space on the application.
* The new name entered must consist of one of these four surname options:
o Option 1: the surname of either spouse; or
o Option 2: any former surname of either spouse; or
o Option 3: a name combining into a single surname, all or a segment of, the premarriage surname, or any former surname, of each spouse; or
o Option 4: a combination surname separated by a hyphen, provided that each part of such combination surname is the premarriage surname, or any former surname, of each of the spouses.
Legal implications of this option
* The use of the name change option will provide you with a record that you elected to change your surname through marriage.
* Your Marriage Certificate constitutes proof that the use of the new surname or the retention of the former name is lawful.
* Neither the use of, nor the failure to use, this option of selecting a new surname through the use of the Marriage License application, affects your right to adopt a different surname through usage at some future date.
Right to adopt any name
New York Law states that you have the right to adopt any name you wish simply by using that name consistently and without intent to defraud.
Hope this (long) answer helps! I figured people didn't want to click on links so I thought I'd paste it all in here.
