While it may seem intimidating to appear in court or fill out legal paperwork, you don`t need to hire a lawyer to change your name. Because each state has its own Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), you will have to deal with different procedures depending on the state you live in. 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. 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. dmv.ny.gov/driver-license/looking-information-about-changing-your-name Once this is done, you will have a hearing in most states where your name change application will be subject to a final review. At that time, all interested parties will have the opportunity to comment or reject the 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. Here are some frequently asked questions about name change.
People legally change their first name, middle name, or last name for a variety of reasons: major changes in their lives — marriage, divorce, or sex change — can trigger a name change, or people simply hate the name they were born with. If you encounter instances where your old name still exists, you should fix these errors. What should I do if the court approves a name change? Depending on the state you live in and the reason for your name change, you may need to do an FBI background check and have your fingerprints taken. Both also charge a fee. Other things you should do? Receive new cheques, notify the mail and update your medical records and insurance. If you have legal documents such as a will or trust, you should also change them. If you want to change your name for reasons other than those described above, the legal name change process usually involves filing an application with the court first. Maybe you`ve never identified with your old name and just want a fresh start, for example. If your application is accepted, the court will issue an order with your new name. First, your reason must be legitimate for a court to legally accept your name change. Second, depending on the reason, the legal process of name change will be slightly different.
Of course, your Social Security card, driver`s license, and passport aren`t the only places you need to update your name, though they`re the most important. The court where you need to file your name change is usually located in the county where you live. You probably expect to need to update your Social Security information and credit cards, but there are plenty of other people who need to know your new name. A: While most names are on the table, there are usually restrictions on your ability to change your name at will. For example, you cannot change your name to avoid creditors or arrests, to mislead, confuse or offend others. Numbers and special characters are generally not allowed for name changes. A: No, but if you want your new name to be legally recognized and updated in official government documents, you must approve your name change through the courts. After receiving a court order granting a name change, you must update important identifying information, including your driver`s license or other government-issued ID, birth certificate, Social Security card, and passport. If you are married or divorced and your name has been changed, you do not need to update your birth certificate. 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. Check with your clerk for advertising details of your new name. Some states require you to advertise in certain newspapers, while others require you to advertise in the county where you live. And yes, you have to pay a fee to the newspaper to publish your name change ad. A colleague I do not know well was so surprised that I felt compelled to defend myself and the reasons for my decision. Later, I wish I had just taken note of the change and not felt the need to elaborate it. You are solely responsible for this choice. As of December 21, 2021, the publication of name change orders will no longer be required.
Instead, your name change will take effect as soon as you file the judge`s order with the county clerk. However, if you are required to pay spousal or family allowances, the court may ask you to send a copy of your name change order to the court that issued the support orders. However, the court cannot require you to send a notice to another person unless it does so in writing and justifies why you must do so. Finally, you can ask the court to seal your name change documents so that no one can access them without a court order. If you want to do this, you will have to explain to the court why you want your name change log to be sealed. Answer questions while you feel comfortable doing so, but remember that the name you chose is a very personal matter. The important thing is that your new name makes you happy and reflects an identity that suits you. If you`re considering a legal name change, you need to know seven things.
The exact process of your name change may vary slightly by state.