You will need a certified copy of your original marriage certificate or an original certified copy of the judgment (court order) to change your name. By purchasing a LegalShield legal plan, you can help with an undisputed name change. Once registered, a local lawyer will contact you within hours. After a brief discussion of your needs, your LegalShield attorney will guide you through the process in accordance with your state`s laws. They will create the documents and make sure they are properly submitted. Once you`ve legally changed your name, consider changing your name as well: some states allow you to change a child`s name on their birth certificate up to a year after birth. An adopted child can usually obtain a new name during the adoption process without having to apply separately for a name change. If you don`t travel much, you may have missed updating your passport with your new name. Unfortunately, forgetting can result in missed vacations due to long waiting times for passport renewal. «In total, changing my name took me about three days of work and over $300,» says writer and literary agent Kate McKean Billfold. You`re probably already on social media under your pseudonym, so you`re known professionally, and any new friends you greet meet you as your handle. Legal change is the final step. Your name change request may be denied (although this probably won`t happen if you follow our advice above).

The two main reasons why a name change request may be denied are: There`s a reason we`re talking about documents before the name change process, and if you`ve ever shown up at the DMV without preparation, you know why. If not, here`s what happens: you get the idea, right? In many cases, the legal process of changing your name might actually be the easy part. A: You cannot legally force your ex-spouse to return to his or her old last name. You have the right to keep your 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. You will then need to apply for a name change. This is essentially a form that you present to your local clerk. It includes your current and suggested name, your Social Security number, and sometimes a signed statement that you are not a convicted felon or that you do not have a pending arrest warrant.

You must sign this form in front of a witness and a notary. People change their names for a variety of reasons. By far, the most common reason people change their name (surname) is due to marriage or divorce. Other reasons include: if someone is transgender, they probably grew up with a name they don`t think fits. Their parents probably gave them a name usually associated with the opposite sex. For this reason, many transgender people legally want to change their name to something more masculine or feminine. Changing your name can be an important step in starting a new life as your preferred sex. According to LegalZoom, you should be willing to spend at least $100 to $150 to file a name change application in court, plus additional fees to get your forms notarized. As LegalZoom explains, «In most states, before a court legally changes your name, you must publish a notice of your planned change in a newspaper. This allows your creditors and other interested parties to oppose the change.

At the very least, they will be informed that your name will change. You also can`t change your name to an intentionally misleading name, such as that of a celebrity. Individuals are prohibited from using a name containing punctuation or numbers, although some courts have allowed the use of periods or the spelling of numbers. Since every state is different in its name change rules, you should check with your local clerk to find out what your state`s requirements are. If you update your name with the Office of Social Security, your name will actually be updated with the IRS. People change their names for a variety of reasons. The problems arise when it comes to government and financial authorities. Since identity theft, credit card fraud, and even fear of terrorist spies are widespread, many financial and government agencies may require legal court documents to prove your identity. There are certain forms of identification, such as a social security card, birth certificate, and passports, that absolutely require legal name change documents.

Because it varies by state, changing your name usually costs less than a few hundred dollars. After changing your name, the fee adds up with things like a new driver`s license, social security card, and passport. All this costs money to replace it. Again, states charge different fees to replace ID cards and documents. This is obviously just an example of a condition to give you a general idea of what you might need. Most states have similar requirements, but of course you should confirm this. Marriage and divorce are by far the most common reasons why people change their names. Generally, if you change your name after you get married, a marriage certificate is the only thing you need. A divorce decree is all you need to change your name again after the divorce. When you get married, all you have to do is show your marriage certificate (with your new name) to all relevant intuitions as proof of your new last name, according to The Knot.

Of course, we are talking about a court, not the DMV, but the principle is the same. Save time and learn about the documents you need before you start. These depend on a) your country of residence and b) the reason for your name change. The publication of a public announcement of a name change may be required by your state. This means publishing your name change in a local newspaper. Sometimes this requirement may be waived, but this decision is at the discretion of the court. The publication of your name change raises objections, which must be submitted within a deadline set by the court. In all other cases, the change of name of a minor child requires the filing of an application with the court. Ask for a certified copy of your original marriage certificate. It`s paid, but it`s a must if you want to change your name on sensitive documents like ID cards and bank cards. To change your name on a U.S. passport, an applicant must do the following: Your friends may also have trouble adjusting to your new identity, and it may be uncomfortable calling you by the name you just chose.