No one likes to be teased because of a name they didn`t choose themselves. If you legally change your name, you have the option to delete a name that you find embarrassing or that you think just doesn`t suit you. The process of legally changing your name differs depending on the laws of your state and why you want the change. Adults and children decide to change their names for a variety of reasons. LegalZoom makes it easy to get court approval for your name change. Once issued, you can use your new name for all government and financial documents. Learn more. In some states, you can change a child`s name on their birth certificate for up to one 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 your divorce is already final and did not contain such an order, it may be possible to amend the original order to reflect your desire to change your name, although this varies by state. In this case, you may need to file an application with the court to change your divorce decree.
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. You`ll also likely need certified copies of your name change application documents or marriage certificate to present to various institutions, so plan to pay a pretty penny for these duplicates. In some states, you may end up spending up to $450 on your new name. It is possible to obtain a name change with the consent of only one parent. You will probably need to tell the other parent when the hearing will be held. Ask your district court clerk how to proceed. Each county has its own procedure. If your child`s doctor supports their request for a name change, ask them to write a statement of support. a certified copy of your final divorce decree if you changed your name during a divorce Whatever your reasons, there are a few things you should consider before taking the plunge. Here are the most important things you need to know before changing your name.
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. To avoid the hassle and embarrassment of sending an official memo stating that you misspelled your own name, check that it looks correct on every form you submit. If you are a criminal and you are incarcerated on probation or probation at the time of the name change OR you are on probation, you must notify the Department of Correctional Services in writing of the name change five days before the hearing. RCW 4.24.130(2). After receiving confirmation that the name associated with your Social Security number has changed, you can proceed with the name change process. Some offices accept an affidavit of name change. This written statement explains that when you submit an application for a change of name, you must publish a notice of your application. An advertisement must appear at least once a week for 4 weeks in a newspaper specified by the court. You must file a notice form and submit the payment to the Superior Court for the notice to be published. Keep a copy of the publisher`s affidavit as proof that your notice has been published. Your friends may also have trouble adjusting to your new identity, and it may be uncomfortable calling you by the name you just chose.
*There are special rules for changing a child`s name. See below. „Your request may take six weeks or more for the U.S. Department of State to process your request. During this time, you don`t have a passport, and that could limit your travel options,“ according to US News. Don`t worry, this shouldn`t make the name change much more complex. In reality, the process is very similar in most states. Nevertheless, you need to know your state`s rules so that you can follow them to the letter. If you were born outside of Washington State, research that state`s procedures for changing the name on a birth certificate. 2.
File an application with the district court in the county where you live. You must present photo identification when submitting. If you plan to pay the full filing fee, you must pay it to the court clerk when you file. Call the clerk ahead of time to ask what the fees will be. They vary by county. by common law (see „What is a common law name change“ below) * Some counties have a local court rule that requires the court to decide on a minor name change based on the best interests of the child. Some of these companies accept a letter or verbal statement that you have changed your name. Others need an official document as proof.
Examples: 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. „The most important thing to keep in mind about any name change is that it`s a process, not a one-stop shop,“ Anna Phipps, vice president of experience at HitchSwitch, told Mental Floss. In general, the six steps to a name change vary from state to state, but the following list is a good place to start. Check with your local court to get all the necessary requirements for a name change in your area. If you need help, a family law lawyer can prepare your petition and answer your questions. If you legally change your name through the court, a fee and a notary will likely be required, with a few exceptions for name changes due to marriage, divorce or adoption. Your loved ones may not understand the reasons why you change your name, especially if you choose to give up a surname or change the birth name your parents gave you. Most states charge a fee to change your name, amounting to a few hundred dollars. You may also have to pay a small amount to publish a legal opinion in a newspaper.
If you don`t have that, you need to save first. The Registrar will review your application for a change of name and grant your application if the Registrar decides that you have a valid reason for changing your name.