Typically, you`ll have to pay filing and court fees and anything else it costs to get a new piece of identification, such as an updated driver`s license or health card. Keep in mind that updating your Social Security card doesn`t cost anything. With your revised ID, you can review your voter registration, bank accounts, medical records, and anything else that requires your official name. In most states, it`s a fairly simple process to change your name through the court system. In fact, most state government websites have online forms that you can print and use. Questions on the forms are very simple and can include your old name, new name, social security number, the reason for your name change, and a promise that you won`t change your name to avoid debt or criminal liability. If the court agrees to change your name, you must do three other things: I didn`t get married. I didn`t go back to my „maiden name“ after a divorce. I couldn`t get rid of a long-hated name, something that embarrassingly sounded like the words you`d find on the stands in a college restroom. Generally, you can legally change your name to any name you want, although state marriage laws can also provide additional legal advice. However, there are some exceptions. For example, you cannot: If you change your name for safety reasons or because of domestic violence, you must inform the court in your application, apply for an exemption from publishing the name change, and contact a local domestic violence agency. Adults and children decide to change their names for a variety of reasons.
Whatever the reason, we make it easy to get court approval for your name change. Once granted, you can officially use your new name for all government and financial documents. There are many reasons why someone might want to change their name, often after a marriage or divorce. The process of legally changing your name usually involves requesting your name change and using your new name. Not in most states, but it`s useful. In most states, you can legally change your name by simply using it. You can choose a name and use it simply in social environments and in your business. This may be a completely legal name change. Like many people, I spent my 20s thinking about other things, like getting another degree and building a career. At 30, I felt pressured to get married, even though there was no one there. And if I did, what would I be called? Would this crazy idea of being „Jane Marcellus“ „break!“ as Peggy predicted? dmv.ny.gov/driver-license/looking-information-about-changing-your-name For more information on legal name changes, see: When you submit a name change application, 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. At 34, I hadn`t ruled out getting married one day. But I wanted to determine once and for all how my name would be permanent. More than that, I wanted a matrilineal name. Marcellus was my maternal grandmother`s surname before she married. I had nothing against my father, who died when I was 22, but I was against a naming system that prevented young women from claiming their own identity on their own terms. What should I do if the court approves a name change? Marriage: You and your future spouse can change their name when you get married.
For example, if you applied for a name change when you applied for your marriage certificate to take your spouse`s name, your marriage certificate from your county probate court is your legal name change document. You don`t have to apply to the county Supreme Court for another name change. The legal change of your name, whether for marriage, divorce or any other reason, can be a great life event. Each state`s laws are different and you should make sure to do so in accordance with the book, including filing your petition to change your name with the appropriate government agency. Let an experienced family law lawyer guide you through the process. Simply enter the new name you choose on your marriage proposal. 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. When I was 23, I practiced „Jane Marcellus“ in my journal. I even showed it to my mother, a feminist in the closet. „It`s a name you`re entitled to,“ she said. The forms and name change information you need can be found on the court`s website. Please visit www.nycourts.gov/CourtHelp/NameChange/forms.shtml#test If one of these entities prevents you from telling them about your legal name change, remind them of your right and offer them a copy of the court order. If necessary, talk to a supervisor. Keep in mind that many financial institutions and creditors will hesitate for fear of identity theft and fraud.
Be patient and keep forcing the use of your new name. Eventually, it will prevail permanently. When I was 34, I legally changed my last name. In addition to your friends and family, here are some of the entities you should notify once you have legally changed your name: It is noted that a decision of the ____ tribunal ____county was indexed _ on _ day ____, a copy of which is available for inspection at the office of the Registrar, can be found at ____, exhibit number ____, grants me the right to take the name ____, the date of my birth is ____, the place of my birth is ____, my current name is ____. 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. Then I thought: What if I used the new name? Then I could say that I wanted to avoid any confusion.
Simple instructions for filing your name change with the competent court The court will usually approve the name change unless you want to do something illegal with the new name, such as cheating someone or hiding from debt.