How to Legally Change Your Name in Iowa

People wish to change their name for many reasons. For some it's marriage, for others it's because they don't like their birth name. Others include illegal reasons such as benefitting from another person's name for monetary gain. This article focuses on legally changing your name because you don't like your birth name.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Petition to Court form
• Birth Certificate
• Prior residence for the past 5 years
• A new name
• A reason

1. Pick up your Petition to Court form from the Clerk of Courts office at your local Iowa courthouse. On this form you must give a physical description of yourself (height, weight, hair color, eye color), your current name, your new desired name, current residence, previous residence (for the past 5 years), any real property you own in the state, your spouse's name (if applicaple), and your reason for desiring a name change. After you have filled out the form, return it to the Clerk of Court with a certified copy of your birth certificate. Each county may vary, but there is a fee for processing your form. Do not be surprised if the fee is up to $100.
2. Now you must wait 30 days. After the 30 days is up, a judge in your county will look over and approve or deny your petition. If granted, the court will mail you the stamped and signed decree of name change. However, you can go in and check with the Clerk of Court after the 30 days to see if your name change was granted. If so, they can give you the decree in person.
3. Now that your name change has been granted, you must obtain a new social security card, driver's license, birth certificate (optional), etc. You must also change your name with any insurance policies you have, bank accounts, employers, tax information (fill out a new W-4 form), school records (if needed), etc. It is best to make several copies of your decree of name change. This way, when you change your name on any documents or legal forms then the business can keep a copy for their records in case there is any dispute.
4. Enjoy your name change!

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure to bring your birth certificate with you.
• Pick your name wisely - in a non-marital case you can only change your name once unless under specific circumstances.
• Change all your records a.s.a.p. to avoid any disputes with insurance companies, banks, billing companies, etc.
• You can only change your name once
• Any petitions will illegal reasons for a name change will be denied by the court.