How to Change Someone's Last Name

Replace the identification in your wallet after changing your last name.

Governments in the United States are limited in their scope to deny a name-change request. They may only deny a change-of-name request if the person is under 18 years of age, the new name contains a slur, the new name contains numbers, the new name is that of a celebrity, the name change is for fraudulent reasons or the change is against the public interest. The application varies from state to state but is easy to do with a little research.

Instructions

1. Contact your local government and ask for an application to change your name. This can be done by calling your local town hall, local probate court or nearest law library.

2. Fill out the application forms. The forms may include a petition for name change, a legal order granting the name change and a notice of petition to the public. Have the forms notarized or sign the forms in front of a court clerk.

3. File the paper with the appropriate government body. This is likely your local probate court. Include any application fee with a U.S. Postal Money Order.

4. Wait for a response from the local government. You may be required to defend your name-change petition in front of a government official and to notify the public of your name change through a local newspaper.

5. Receive the order that your name has been changed. Use the government papers to obtain new identification --- including a driver's license, passport and credit cards --- in your new name.

Tips & Warnings

• The local government denies names that include numbers, profane language or celebrity names.

References

• New Last Name: Legal Name Change
• US Legal Forms: How to Change Your Name Legally
• California Courts: Changing the Name of an Adult