Can Anyone Legally Change Their Name

According to LegalZoom, you should be willing to spend at least $100 to $150 to file a name change application in court, plus an additional fee for your forms to be notarized. Each state has a different procedure for obtaining a court order to change its name. While some states simply require recognition that a person`s name is not being changed for the purpose of fraud or other crimes, other states refuse to issue a court order if a person`s new name appears unreasonably vulgar or frivolous. Once the petition has been submitted to the county official, you will receive a hearing date where you can explain the reasons for the name change. As a general rule, the court will publish the court date within 4 to 6 weeks of submitting your application. This may seem like a long wait for a fairly simple trial. However, in most cases, there will be actions that you will have to perform before the court hearing, and the long wait will give you plenty of time to perform the necessary actions. This brings us to our next step. Talking to a family law attorney about your state`s specific rules for a name change can help you prepare for contingencies in the future. Are you planning to change your name? This guide to legally changing your name will help you get started. After receiving a court order granting a name change, you must update important identification records, including your driver`s license or other government-issued identification, birth certificate, social security card, and passport.

If you have been married or divorced and your name has changed, you do not need to update your birth certificate. „The most important thing to keep in mind with any name change is that this is a process, not a one-stop shop,“ Anna Phipps, vice president of experience at HitchSwitch, tells Mental Floss. While it may seem daunting to appear in court or fill out legal paperwork, you don`t need to hire a lawyer to change your name. To change your name at the time of marriage, simply sign all documents except the marriage certificate with your new name. You don`t have to do anything else. The procedure is the same, regardless of your gender. A very common thing that most states require is the requirement to publish in your local newspaper the new name change. It`s always a good idea to call your local newspaper and inquire about the cost of publishing. Make sure you have enough money to cover legal costs and the cost of publishing newspapers. If necessary, your report will provide you with the correct document to use in your journal publication.

You will also need a copy of your name change request. Once it is printed in the newspaper, keep it for your future hearing date. The child`s parent or guardian may apply to the court for a change of name on behalf of the child. It is the applicant`s responsibility to serve the parent who is not the applicant. Notification must be made by registered mail or registered mail. Proof of service on the non-applicant parent must be presented to the court. The acknowledgement of receipt must be accompanied by a certificate of service and submitted to the Court of Justice. If you don`t like your birth name, you can legally change it to whatever you want. with a few exceptions. You can`t name yourself after a celebrity (as this could be considered intentionally misleading), a registered trademark name, a number (like 4 or 8), a punctuation mark (like „or!“), or something offensive or obscene. You also can`t change your name to commit fraud, escape prosecution, or avoid paying the debts you owe. People change their name for various reasons.

You also can`t change your name to an intentionally misleading name, such as that of a celebrity. People are prohibited from using a name that contains punctuation or numbers, although some courts have allowed the use of periods or the spelling of numbers. If you are eighteen years of age or older in Washington State, you can choose and use the name of your choice, as long as you are not trying to deceive (deceive) someone. This describes the process. #3400EN „A name change can affect your taxes. All names on your tax return must match the records of the Social Security Administration. A name discrepancy can delay your refund,“ according to the Internal Revenue Service. Not all states require you to file your name change in court, but some states do. In California, for example, you can technically choose a new name and use it consistently depending on the state`s method of use. But realistically, you may still need a court order to show the banks, SSA, or DMV proof of your name change, as these organizations are wary of identity theft. Some states also require you to promote your new name by posting it in a newspaper.

No matter where you live, do your research (your state`s government website is a good place to start) to make sure you`re following your state`s protocol. Adults and children choose to change their name for a variety of reasons. LegalZoom makes it easy for you to get court approval for your name change. Once granted, you can use your new name in all government and financial records. Learn more. Once the application has been filed, the court makes an order ordering the applicant to notify the submission of the name change. As a rule, the court also orders the applicant to publish the notice. The purpose of posting the notice is to inform the community that you wish to change your name. Anyone with a legitimate objection to changing your name will be notified of the posting.

While it`s important to let people know about your new name, it can lead to logistical problems if you do it too early. „Wait until you have your official documents (court documents, marriage certificate, divorce decree) in hand before you start changing your name in general – you`ll save a lot of time that way,“ says Stayner. Changing your name after marriage is not complicated, but it is cumbersome in documents. Here`s a checklist to help you streamline the process. After receiving confirmation that the name associated with your Social Security number has been changed, you can proceed with the name change process. If you update your name at the Social Security office, your name will be updated at the IRS. In some states, you can change a child`s name on their birth certificate up to a year after birth. An adopted child can generally be given a new name during the adoption process without having to make a separate application for a name change. You can choose to change it when you get married or divorced. It is not mandatory.

State law regulates what you can call yourself. While you can call yourself some pretty unique things, there are a few concrete rules for name changes that you need to follow. It is not difficult. There are three ways to legally change your name in Washington State: In most states, you`ll have to pay a fee (usually $150 to $200) to file your name change application in court. It also costs a small amount of money to have the forms notarized. And if you get married, you may want to pay for additional certified copies of your marriage certificate that you can use as proof of your new last name. This could include a motion, a petition to change the name and other documents to request the change. You may also have to pay a registration fee. Some of these entities accept a letter or verbal statement stating that you have changed your name. Others need a formal document as proof. Examples: If you change your name legally through the court, fees and a notary may be required, with some exceptions for name changes due to marriage, divorce or adoption. The legal norm for changing a minor`s name is „the best interests of the child“.

A parent or guardian who wishes to change a child`s name must prove that the change is in the best interests of the child. The following questions are usually considered by the court when deciding whether or not to grant an application to change a child`s name: You must also send a written notice to the Ministry of Driver`s Licenses (DOL) to have your driver`s license and vehicle registration changed. If you have real estate deeds, mortgages, shares, bonds or other documents that reflect the ownership of other assets, you must have your name changed by written notice. While there is no law requiring a name change after marriage, the practice continues to be common in the United States — and not just for women. Men are increasingly adopting their wives` surnames, and in the case of same-sex marriages, some couples decide that a surname is beneficial to them, especially if children are involved. Your friends may also struggle to adjust to your new identity, and it can be difficult to label yourself by the name you`ve chosen. Not in most states, but it`s useful. Most states allow you to legally change your name simply by using it.

You can choose a name and use it easily in social environments and in your business. This can be a completely legal name change. Name changes cost a few hundred dollars and vary depending on your storage location. If your divorce is already final and did not contain such an order, it is possible that the original order will be amended to reflect your desire to change your name, although this may vary by state. In this case, you may need to file an application with the court to change your divorce decree. Name change hearings are usually quick and easy. The judge will call you by name when it is your turn and ask you a few questions. The judge will ask you if everything in the application is true and correct and if you are trying to change your name for fraudulent purposes. If you have requested a fee waiver, the judge may ask you questions about your finances.

If all goes well, the judge will then approve the name change and, if necessary, the fee waiver. A: Although most names are on the table, there are usually limits to your ability to change your name to whatever you want.