How to Change a Name Officially
People changes their names for various reasons. Whether your name change is related to marriage, divorce, adoption or simply because you want a different name, the process is virtually the same. The complexity of the process depends largely on where you live, but the forms needed are generally identical.
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Instructions
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Contact a state government office to find out which forms are needed. In most cases, these forms will include an application for name change and a petition to be kept public that the name has been changed. You may need other forms depending on the state.
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Fill out the forms and have them notarized . You'll need to present the notary with legal identification, such as a driver's license or birth certificate. Make copies of the notarized forms for your records.
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Return the completed forms to the local office of your state government. In some cases, the process will include a court appearance in which you must explain the reasons for your name change. Most name changes are allowed. The court fee for a name change is usually about $50, but that can vary depending on the state. The process generally takes two weeks, but that time can also vary depending on the state and the number of cases in the court system at the time.
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Change your name on all pertinent records. These include your Social Security card, driver's license and any other official government documents. You are responsible for making these changes.
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Tips & Warnings
You can't change your name if you're doing so to avoid bankruptcy or to assume someone else's identity. The new name cannot violate a trademark, contain obscene words or contain certain symbols.
