How to Change Your Legal Name

The biggest part of obtaining a legal name change is having the time to get it done.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Transportation
• Cash
• At least 1 form of ID (many states require 2)
• A lawyer to consult with might also be beneficial.

1. Go to your local Social Security Department building and request the proper forms (Most states have a small fee for these forms). Make sure you have your ID on you and some time to kill because the SSD is usually molasses in winter slow.

2. Fill out proper forms and turn them into the county clerk. The county clerk can be found at your local district court. This is the time when you pay your court fees which also vary by state. If stated on the paperwork you may need to send a copy to other agencies.

3. Be prepared to run a legal notice in the paper, many states are requiring that you do so. At some point in the not-so-immediate future a judge will see your case (attendance is not mandatory in all states so make sure you check) and decide whether your name is changed or remains the same.

4. Take the legal forms provided by the court into the SSD and file for a new Social Security Card. Take the new SSC and your court papers to the DMV and get your new picture ID.

Tips & Warnings

• Always prepare to spend an eternity waiting when it comes to Government Agencies.
• Take a book or two.
• Get as much preparation done as you possibly can to avoid having to make a return trip.
• Check, Check and Check again on your paperwork. When the judge rules for you the name is permanent and if you made a spelling error you are stuck with it or stuck paying the fees all over again.
• Check YOUR state laws before beginning this process. Each State has their own ordinances and laws regarding Legal Name Changes.

[kizgee]

on 10/14/2009 I just want to suggest a few changes to the procedures mentioned above. I am a former Social Security Administration employee, so I'd like to clarify a few steps. First,the Social Security Administration (SSA) should NEVER charge a fee to process the application (see www.ssa.gov). Secondly, the county/state process is completely seperate from the federal one (SSA). Most name changes are due to marriage/divorce (or paternity)so SSA will be looking for offical documentation from the issuing agency, i.e., marriage cert, divorce decree, paternity documents, in order to accept the change. Please contact SSA before paying any money or mailing personal documents (yes, you can do a name change by mail). The county/state may charge a fee for the necessary documents or processing, and may also require public notification of the name change (name changes NOT DUE to marriage, divorce, paternity,...

[HARMIKS]

on 7/22/2008 yes this is very good topic. also you can check a site called legalcpu.com they do name change also

[sarah12]

on 7/5/2008 This is a very good topic. There are people who dont know where to start when they want to change their name. Or cant afford it. This will be very helpful to them.

[GlindaLupo]

on 2/1/2008 Neat!
-Glinda