How to Change Your Name Step-by-Step

Changing to a married surname does not usually require a court order.

You could have many reasons for wanting to change your name. Perhaps it is a post-divorce action or connected to an adoption process. If your motive is connected to being newly married, many states associate this with common law name change and do not require you to obtain a court order for it. However, if the reasoning or context is different, the court order is normally required, along with several other steps you must complete.

Things You'll Need

• Money for fees
• State-specific documentation
• Newspaper notice (where required)
• Addresses of clerks office(s)
• Reference for state law

Instructions

1. Recognize state differences. There is no completely uniform process for changing your name from state to state. You need to establish whether your state requires specific steps, documentation or other criteria to properly complete this task. (See References 2 and 3.)

2. Establish residency. In many states, you must prove that you have lived in the appropriate county or locale for a given period of time, usually a year. This can be done through property or car tax records, for example. (See References 2, 3 and 4.)

3. Validate purpose, intent and notification. Name changes can sometimes be used to avoid creditors or engage in fraudulent activity. This is why many states require that you prove deception is not a goal. This might entail proving that you do not have multiple creditors seeking remuneration. You also often need to publish a notification in a local publication (such as a newspaper) of the intended change prior to the court hearing.

4. Fill out and submit all required forms. Acquire all the necessary forms online for your state. You will likely have to select the correct one for your situation: adult, child, adoption or other. The forms can usually be downloaded, and then you should print them out. Complete and submit them as instructed with the proper fee. New York, for example, requires you to hand them in at the County Clerk's office and then proceed with the given index number and filed forms to the New York Supreme Court Clerk's Office for final submission. (See Reference 4.)

5. Wait for the response. Whether or not the name change is approved -- it commonly is, unless suspicious motives or significant debts are discovered -- you will receive a court order that accepts or rejects that change. If for some reason the change is denied, you should approach the County Clerk's Office to ascertain what the problem is. (See Reference 4.)

6. Hand in the court order at the County Clerk's Office or other designated location. You might be required to notify specific institutions or entities. Some states demand that a newspaper announcement be published at this point, and you might be given a formal notice sample to follow. (See Reference 4.)

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure that the need for a legal name change exists. In many states, common law usage of a name--such as in marriage-- does not require a formal name change.

• Have all records available, such as birth certificates, if they are asked for or stipulated in any portion of your state's process.

• The website cited in Reference 2 offers a map where you can select your state and proceed to its webpage to find out your state's specific requirements.

References

• The Law: How to File a Legal name Change
• Name Change Law: Name Change Forms
• New Last Name: The Legal Name Change Process
• Lawny: How to Change an Adult's Name in New York