How to Change a Letter on a Last Name

Changing a letter in a name is legally the same as changing the whole name.

Changing a single letter in your last name follows the same process as changing your whole name. Changing a letter changes the name, so a full legal change of name must be undergone. This process differs from state to state, but most states have a very similar process. You must file a petition with the court, inform the public of your intent to change your name and then change all of your government identification to match your new legal name.

Things You'll Need

• Petition for Change of Name (or equivalent form)

Instructions

1. Determine the appropriate court to file your petition in. In most states, the petition for changing your name must be filed with the circuit court of the county or parish in which you live.

2. Complete a Petition for Change of Name (or the equivalent form in your area). If you are seeking to change the name of a person under the age of 18, you must generally also a file a form indicating all legal guardians' consent for the name change. This is the form that gives the correct spelling to your name. Make absolutely certain that the letter changes required are clear and legible before proceeding.

3. File the Petition for Change of Name with your local circuit court (or other jurisdictional body). Attach a copy of a proof of your current name, such as a certified copy of a birth certificate, a passport or a driver's license. Your current name must be on the government issued identification included in your petition.

4. Inform the public about your name change. Most states allow for the public to object to a name change if the person is changing their name to avoid debt or escape obligations. As such, you must publish an announcement (also known as an "Order to Show Cause") of name change in a local newspaper. The strictness of this differs from state to state; Maryland requires you to publish the change just once while California requires four weeks of publication in the same news source.

5. Take the proof of publication of the name change to the local court. File it with the local court system and have a judge sign your Order for Change of Name (sometimes known as a Decree Changing Name). Get a certified copy of the Order for Change of Name.

6. Present your new identification (the certified copy of the Order for Change of Name) to the Social Security Administration, Bureau of Records and Vital Statistics in your birth state and to your local Department of Motor Vehicles to have all of your official government records reflect your legal name change.

Tips & Warnings

• Changing your name will not help you escape bad credit or debtors. Laws generally require those seeking a name change to certify that they are not doing it for unscrupulous reasons.

References

• California Courts: How do I ask the court to change my name?
• People's Law.org: Six Easy Steps to Change Your Name