“The most important thing to keep in mind with any name change is that this is a process, not a one-stop shop,” Anna Phipps, vice president of experience at HitchSwitch, tells Mental Floss. Although a legal document such as a marriage certificate or a court-approved petition allows you to change your name, it won`t really be official until you submit requests for a change of name to the Social Security Administration, DMV, and other relevant institutions. The problems arise when it comes to the government and the financial authorities. Because identity theft, credit card fraud, and even fear of terrorist spies are widespread, many financial and government agencies may need 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 child`s parent or guardian may apply to the court for a change of name on behalf of the child. It is the applicant`s responsibility to serve the parent who is not the applicant. Notification must be made by registered mail or registered mail. Proof of service on the non-applicant parent must be presented to the court. The acknowledgement of receipt must be accompanied by a certificate of service and submitted to the Court of Justice. Your loved ones may not understand why you change your name, especially if you choose to drop a last name or change the birth name your parents gave you. Most likely, you will have to fill out a large amount of documents that coincide with your name change. There is paperwork when you need to file with the courts, and there is paperwork to change your name on your important documents (such as passports or bank accounts).

Overall, this can mean a lot of work. Putting your personal happiness above the opinions of others can be liberating, and that`s true when it comes to changing your name. However, explaining your name change can be tedious, and some people find it not worth rolling out an ad to family, friends, colleagues, and acquaintances. Remember: you`re not the first trans person to change your name and you don`t have to reinvent the wheel. Whether you need help testing a new name, cover your registration fees, or force the credit bureau to stop naming you, there are all sorts of logistical and financial resources for trans people and many people who would be more than happy to give you a hand. And if you`re nervous about going to the courthouse, don`t hesitate to ask for a little emotional support. The first question that may come to mind once your name change is complete is probably how to change your name on your Social Security card, but this is just one of the documents you need to update to reflect your new name: Other things you should do? Get new cheques, inform the post office, and update your medical records and insurance. If you have legal documents such as a will or trust, you should also check if you want to change them. If you decide to change your last name when you get married, you don`t need a court order.

Simply write your new last name on your marriage certificate and show your marriage certificate (without a license) at places like the DMV, your bank, and the Social Security administration as proof of your new last name. Name changes cost a few hundred dollars and vary depending on your storage location. Before doing anything else, you should contact the Social Security Administration. Fill out the appropriate form, send them a few different identity papers and your marriage certificate and wait for your new documents. If you wish to change your name to your maiden name after the divorce, you must ask the judge to reinstate your previous name during the divorce proceedings so that your name change appears on your dissolution order. And if you want to get a divorce and legally change your name to your maiden name, you can usually ask the judge to take care of it during the divorce process. Your name change should appear on your dissolution order (also known as a divorce decree), and then you can reuse your maiden name. While it`s important to let people know about your new name, it can lead to logistical problems if you do it too early. “Wait until you have your official documents (court documents, marriage certificate, divorce decree) in hand before you start changing your name in general – you`ll save a lot of time that way,” says Stayner.

You are not entitled to a name change. The court may reject an application for a change of name for any reason. A judge may, at his or her discretion, know if you can change your name or that of your child. Discretion means that the judge can make any decision he or she deems necessary in the circumstances. You also can`t change your name to an intentionally misleading name, such as that of a celebrity. People are prohibited from using a name that contains punctuation or numbers, although some courts have allowed the use of periods or the spelling of numbers. 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. Filling out a name change petition can be quite easy.

However, if you feel overwhelmed when navigating the name change process yourself, consider outside help. Companies like LegalZoom offer packages that streamline the name change process and provide you with the paperwork you need to fill out for your state. Talking to a family law attorney about your state`s specific rules for a name change can help you prepare for contingencies in the future. Depending on the state you live in and the reason for your name change, you may need to conduct an FBI background check and have your fingerprints taken. Both also charge a fee. A name change is not so easy if an adult wants to change their first or last name for a reason other than divorce. The Commonwealth is concerned that an adult may want to change their name to avoid credit problems, a history of criminal activity or a new name to commit fraudulent acts. An adult must apply to the Court of Common Pleas for a change of name. In addition, an adult is required to make it known that his or her name needs to be changed. Instructions and forms are available in this adult name change kit. Check with your clerk for details on promoting your new name. Some states require you to publish the ad in certain newspapers, while others require you to advertise only in the county where you live.