How to Legally Change a Person's Name
Most states allow you to legally change your name for whatever reason you like as long as it is not to commit a fraud or against a public interest. Changing your name is fairly simple but does require you to submit an application and attend a name change hearing in court.
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Instructions
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Contact the clerk of your local municipal, district or county court. Inform the clerk that you would like to change your name. The exact court to change your name differs according to the jurisdiction in which you live. If you are not sure, inquire at your nearest court or county government office for directions on where to apply for a name change.
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Fill out the name change application that the court clerk provides. Consider that some jurisdictions require that the completed name change application is notarized before it will be considered valid.
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Gather any supporting documentation such as a copy of your birth certificate or social security card that the application requires.
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File your name change application with any required supporting documentation and the filing fee with the court clerk. Generally, once you file your application, you will be given a court date at which a judge will review your application.
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Attend the court hearing you were scheduled for when you filed your name change application.
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Answer any questions that the reviewing judge may ask you. Generally, the judge will ask you what reasons you want to change your name and to swear that you are not changing your name to avoid a legal responsibility or for any illegal purpose.
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If the judge grants your name change, you will be given an "court order granting change of name." Sign any documentation that the judge or clerk requires in order to process your name change.
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Use your court order granting change of name to apply for a new driver's license, social security card or for any other ID cards or legal documents that will need to be changed as a result of your new name.
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Tips & Warnings
If your application is denied, the judge will tell you the reasons why it was denied. On the basis of those reasons, correct or amend your application and reapply for a name change.
Some courts may require that you publish a notice of your name change in a local newspaper before your name change will be complete.
Some courts will not immediately give you the court order granting change of name. In these cases, the court will mail it to you or inform you by phone that you can pick it up at court. Depending on the jurisdiction, this may take from one week to six months.
References
- Photo Credit name hand image by drawos from Fotolia.com
