How Hard Is It To Legally Change Your Name

No matter your reasons for wanting to change your name, find out how to do so here.

Whether you simply don't similar your nascence name or want to revise it after spousal relationship, divorce, or gender change, the procedure of legally changing your proper noun is unremarkably pretty straightforward. The process you must follow, notwithstanding, differs depending on your state'south laws and why you desire the alter. It'due south important to be enlightened of any restrictions your land imposes on the type of name change you seek, to retain proof of your onetime proper noun, and to ensure that your financial and other records are correct after the alter.

What follows are some basic considerations regardinghow to change your proper nounin each of the most likely categories:

Change Proper noun Because of Personal Preference

If you want to change your name for reasons other than those related to wedlock or divorce, the legal proper name modify process normally involves first filing a petition with the court. You may as well have to nourish a hearing and bear witness cause for your name change request. If your petition is granted, the court volition enter a prescript with your new proper noun.

Know, nevertheless, that there may be some restrictions on what you can change your name to, including just not limited to the following:

Changing your proper name with fraudulent intent, such as to avoid creditors or abort
Changing to a famous person's name with the intent to mislead
Irresolute your name to a disruptive one as divers past country law, which may include names with numbers, for case
Changing your proper name to include a racial slur or "fighting words" (threatening, obscene and/or inciting violence, every bit divers by state constabulary).

Modify Proper noun After Union

If y'all have gotten married and would like to change your last name, the process is a bit dissimilar than if you lot but want a new proper noun.

First, you lot do not generally need to file a petition with the courtroom. Instead, you must submit a certified copy of your marriage certificate (in long grade if available) to the Social Security Administration (SSA) forth with Form SS-5, available on the SSA's website, and other proof of your identity and citizenship or lawful immigration condition (such as passport or driver'south license).

Yous may then proceed to change your name on other documents such as your driver's license with the Department of Motor Vehicles and your passport with the U.Due south. Department of State.

Note that some states take different provisions for anyone other than a woman taking her husband'south surname after marriage (including hyphenating), and in those cases, individuals oftentimes take to follow the process outlined above for name alter because of personal preference.

Alter Proper name After Divorce

If yous would like to reclaim your maiden name subsequently divorce, in near states you lot can request this during divorce proceedings; the estimate can and so enter an order restoring your former name. You may need a copy of the lodge as proof of the alter to then revert to your former name elsewhere such as on your social security menu and commuter's license.

If your divorce is already final and didn't include such an gild, it may be possible to have the original guild amended to reflect your desire to change your name dorsum, though this varies past state. In this example, yous would simply file a petition with the court to modify your divorce decree.

If the order can't be changed or if you don't want to go through that process, you may exist required to file a petition for name modify, simply go along in heed that many states allow you to simply begin using your onetime name once more so long as yous exercise so consistently. You may and then be able to request that information technology exist changed on all your identification and personal records.

You should e'er continue proof of your original proper noun (such as a birth certificate) in example you encounter whatsoever difficulties with using it again.

Change Proper name Later Gender Change

Most states currently practise not accept special provisions for those wishing to change names after a gender modify, then this situation would usually fall nether the kickoff scenario above.

Online Name Changes

Notation that it is often possible to download your state's name change forms online, though you normally have to print them out and file them in person at the local courthouse.

Final Steps in Changing Your Proper noun

Once yous accept inverse your name legally, recollect that you should likewise change your name on bank and other financial accounts, credit cards, utility bills, and other personal records too.

Changing your name for personal reasons? Create county-specific legal name change documents online to file at your local courthouse.