How Does Someone Change Their Name?

Having the freedom to change your name is something people are thankful for when they need it. A lot of women who have fallen in love with the wrong guy know this feeling. The most common reason some one changes their name is because of a change in marital status. Although it is the most common reason for a change of name nearly any reason is accepted.

One reason you can’t use for a change of name is for avoiding bankruptcy. You can’t pretend your some one else just because you’ve changed your name. Secondly, you can’t violate a trademark. Many celebrities trademark their name, like Paul McCartney. So therefore it probably won’t work if you want to change your name to Tom Cruise, or Angelina Jolie. Thirdly, you can’t change a name to something with numbers or symbols in it. Lastly, no one can use obscene words in their name.

After some one has picked a good name that doesn’t imply fraudulent intent then they can continue on by getting the forms to fill out. Then they can go online to download a kit that includes all the forms they need to change their name in their state, that’s the easiest way. If you don’t want to deal with doing it yourself then consult an attorney in your area.

When the forms are completed and signed then it may already be official but in most states they require the form to be notarized. The only way you can know for sure is to know your local laws and procedures by contacting the appropriate local government office (or attorney), which is usually the courthouse. The instructions that come along with the name change kit will usually explain the state procedures also.

The state procedures for changing your name usually include submitting your paperwork to the appropriate office, waiting for approval, and then placing a newspaper ad announcing your name change. The reason for this to be included in the procedures is to give your new name to any one you may owe debt to. If the public objects then they could then intervene and object to the name change if debt is owed under the current name. If no one objects then you send in your affidavit and return it to the court clerk. You will then receive an Order Granting Change of Name, which will be your new ID. You can take the new ID at the DMV, Social Security Administration, and the Bureau of Records/Vital Statistics to get your new drivers license, social security card, and birth certificate.

The DMV can be very picky about having a SSN before some one gets a drivers license with their new name. Therefore it is suggested that they should go to the Social Security Administration first for their new social security card with their new name.

Disclaimer: This article has been written for information and interest purposes only. The information contained within this article is the opinion of the author only, and should not be construed as legal advice or used to make legal decisions. Consult an attorney in your area if you’re seeking legal advice.

‘How Does Someone Change Their Name?’ has been brought to you by Legal Forms Bank .Biz – a database of legal forms for every U.S. state. Download all the forms you need to file for a name change in your state on your own.

Information About Name Changes

Changing your last name is a very common thing for a bride to do after marriage. It can also be a great way to lose an unwanted or unappealing family name. It really doesn’t matter when or why you want to change your name, it is your right to do so. Legally changing your name yourself is also very inexpensive since a lawyer is not required.

Most women simply follow tradition and take their husband’s last name and give up their last name they were born with. Many times you’ll see women keeping their family name but as their middle name. Some will even use the two names as one with a hyphen or space in between them. These options are all available to you for your post wedding name change. In very rare cases the husband will even take the bride’s last name.

There are also couples that just create an entirely new last name. As long as your not trying to change your name for fraudulent purposes then you can pretty much change your name to anything you want.

It’s a good idea to change your name on your documents and so forth after your honeymoon. This is because it can take awhile to change your name on your passport and other documents. If you were to travel somewhere with one name and try to come back on the same passport but this time they check your license and it has your new name then you could have trouble coming back to the U.S. or worse detained at the airport and charged.

Just changing your name on your documents though is not a legal name change. You will need to file a legal name change for your state. Since every state is different, I cannot provide you with the exact instructions for your state. To make everything easy I suggest you find a legal name change form with instructions. These are often called do-it-yourself name change forms. Most states will require you to follow a certain procedure to make your name change legal. Your state’s procedure will most likely include things like having two witnesses sign the document and having it notarized before it is legally valid.

The most important documents to change your name on first are documents you use for identification like your drivers license and social security card. Having identification with your new name will make changing your name on other important documents much easier. Make a checklist of documents you will need to change your name on and people you should notify. Do not forget to include things like credit cards, vehicle registration, your employer, retirement plans, the U.S. post office, utility companies, legal contracts, your last will, and your insurance policies. Most of these records can be changed simply by mail or with a quick phone call. Just to make everything easy, have copies of your marriage license ready to mail out. Another good idea is to request a receipt to be returned to you, that way you’ll have an idea of when your name change has taken effect.

“Information About Name Changes” has been brought to you by Legal Forms Bank .Biz, a respected provider of do-it-yourself legal forms. They have your state’s specific name change form with instructions included.