I want to change my name
People legally change their first, middle, or last names for a variety of reasons: Major life changes—getting married, divorced, or undergoing a gender reassignment—might catalyze a name change, or people might just hate the name they were born with. Obtaining a legal document link as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or https://katzengraben14.de/tools/pisces-woman-dating.php granted petition will allow you to change your name but won't make mmy name change official, explains Phipps. Jo-Anne Stayner of I'm a Mrs. Just write your new last name on your marriage license and show your marriage certificate not license to places such as the DMV, your bank, howard dating Social Security Administration as proof of your new last name. And if you get divorced and want to legally change your name back to your maiden name, you can usually get the judge to take care of that during the divorce proceedings.
Please enable JavaScript in your web browser; otherwise some parts of this site might not work properly. If you move permanently to another state, register to changw in that new state. That could be up to 30 days before the election. You can change your registration online, by mail, or by phone. If your state has online voter registration, that may be the easiest way dating lily and cole make changes. If your state keeps track of political party preference, you will be able to change that too. Go to the Register and Vote in Your State web page.
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Last Updated: December 5, References Approved. This article was co-authored by Clinton M. Sandvick, JD, PhD. Clinton M. Sandvick worked as a civil litigator in California for over 7 years.
There are different situations in which an individual would want to change their name. Although the first that come to mind may be marriage or divorce, there are others, as well. Perhaps the best advice would be to approach the decision more like a gradual process than a goal to be achieved in one go. Regardless of your reasons, in order for a name change to be valid, it must be accompanied by a legal procedure. Read on to find all the answers read more your most pressing questions about changing your name.
And if you get divorced and want to legally change your name back to your maiden name, you can usually get the judge to take care of that during the divorce proceedings. Your name change should appear on your Decree of Dissolution a. Divorce Decree , then you can start using your maiden name again. Filling out a Petition for Name Change can be fairly straightforward. But if you do feel overwhelmed by navigating the name change process yourself, consider outside help.
The residency requirements for name changes vary from one state to another. Some states require you to have established yourself as a bona fide resident by living there for a certain amount of time. You can check all the requirements for your place of residence, as well as file the necessary paperwork to change your name by contacting the local county court.
Some states require that you file your name change in court, while others do not. Keep in mind, some names are banned in the US. Check the naming laws for your state before starting. Individuals who dislike their birth name may legally change it to another name they are more comfortable with, following a few common sense considerations and exceptions:. The process of legally changing your name generally entails the following steps, although these may vary slightly depending on your state of residence:.
Your final step, after changing your name, will be to notify government agencies, businesses, family, and friends of your new name. Here is a list of the institutions you will need to reach out to, in order to communicate your legal name change:.
The first question that may cross your mind once your name change is complete is probably how to change your name on your Social Security card , but that is just one of the documents you will need to have updated so that they reflect your new name :.
Related: How to correct an error on a Birth Certificate? Source: Change or correct name on Passport by Travel.
This site uses cookies for web analytics. By browsing this site, you accept our Cookies Policy. Birth Certificate Application. How to legally change your name: Step by step guide. Table of Contents. Getting married makes changing your name easier than it would otherwise be, so think carefully about what you want your permanent name to be. You can use your former last name as your middle name or hyphenate two last names if you don't want to drop your maiden name entirely.
Change your name on your Social Security card. Once you've received your marriage license, your next step will be to obtain a new social security card, which will require you to fill out a form and either visit a Social Security Administration office or mail it in with the required documents. You'll need your marriage certificate, birth certificate, photo ID driver's license, passport, or state ID card and a completed application for a new Social Security card, available online.
You can make an appointment to change your name in person, or you can mail in the appropriate documents. All original copies will be mailed back to you with a receipt.
Change your name on your driver's license or state ID card. Change your name on all your other documentation. Here's a short list of what you might consider: [7] X Research source Bank accounts Credit cards Leases or mortgages Car title Voter registration Medical offices Post office boxes Passport. Start using your new name. For the first few months you'll probably have to deal with some confusion on the part of people who aren't aware you changed your name.
Start introducing yourself with your new last name, signing checks and other documents with your new last name, and politely asking people to use it when they address you. Method 2. Choose your new name carefully.
Legally changing your name is a serious decision, so you should make sure that you choose a name that you like enough to keep. Before beginning the process of changing your name, practice signing it and have a few people close to you call you by that name, to make sure you like it.
You can change your first name, middle name, last name, or all of the above. Make sure your new name will be legal. The primary concern here is that your new name doesn't imply "fraudulent intent" i. There are, however, several reasons why you might be denied a name change, including any of the following: [10] X Research source You're avoiding bankruptcy by pretending to be someone else.
Your new name violates a trademark e. Cheese" or "Adidas Batman". The name uses numbers or symbols except Roman numerals. The name includes obscene words. If you are having trouble determining if your name change is legal, or need legal assistance with this process, hire an attorney. Legal self-help centers are often available to help with name changes, and legal fees may be waived if sufficient financial need is demonstrated.
Search online to see what legal aid resources are available in your community. Fill out a petition. Most states require you to fill out a petition explaining your reasons for wanting to change your name. Go to the courthouse or your state's courts website to obtain the proper forms and learn all the requirements in your jurisdiction. For instance, in Florida, you must undergo fingerprinting and state and federal criminal background checks as well. He or she may be able to help you expedite the process, since changing a name for this reason is quite common.
Sometimes it can even be included in the divorce decree. This shows that any relevant authorities have been alerted to your proposed name change. File your petition with your local civil court. Visit your local civil court in person to file the petition with a clerk, or file by mail if that is allowed in your state. Bring two copies of each form. The clerk will stamp both with a "Filed" stamp and return one copy to you for your records.
Check your local court's website to determine if your petition must be submitted in person, and to determine the hours that they are open for such business. In some jurisdictions, you will need to have your petition notarized or signed by a court clerk before filing.
You can also have it notarized at a bank or other notary public. Pay your filing fee. Most states will also have filing fees involved with the petition process. Publish your name change. Some states require that you publish your new name for a number of weeks in approved general circulation newspapers. The specific amount of time for which you must publish the notice varies by state.
In California, applicants must publish for four consecutive weeks, [20] X Research source whereas New Mexico only requires two consecutive weeks. Some states allow you to simply post in a public place such as a designated bulletin board at the courthouse. Attend your hearing. Most name-change hearings are fairly straightforward. If the judge asks you any questions about your reasons for changing your name, answer clearly and honestly.
If you live in a state with a publication requirement, bring copies of the publication to prove you met the requirement. Arrive at your hearing 15 to 20 minutes early, just in case.