Where to Go to Legally Change Your Name

If the child is fourteen years of age or older, the application must include the child`s written consent to the name change. If your divorce is already final and did not contain such an order, it is possible that the original order will be amended to reflect your desire to change your name, although this will vary by state. In this case, you may need to file an application with the court to change your divorce decree. 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. If you are applying for a name change, 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. 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. The most common reasons for a name change are marriage or divorce. Adoption, as well as the following situations, are also common reasons: Some common reasons for name changes are marriage, divorce, and other significant life changes. Whatever the reason for a change, you will learn how to legally change your name. We help you manage this sometimes complex process. Keep in mind that there are legal differences between states and you should consider talking to a legal aid lawyer. Some forms may not display correctly in your browser. Please download the forms and open them with Acrobat Reader. How quickly your case will be heard depends on the backlog of cases in probate court and family court where your case was submitted. If your case does not require a personal hearing, the case will be referred to the judge once you have returned the proof of service to the court and the return date has passed.

You must make the petition public by posting it. The quote for publication will be sent to you by the court. If you have a valid reason for not publishing the notice, you can file a request (MCJ 400) to refuse publication. An affidavit (an affidavit) must be submitted with the application explaining why you do not want the notice published. You may have to go before a judge to explain your reasons. 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. Once you`ve legally changed your name, consider changing your name as well: 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 sending an announcement to family, friends, colleagues, and acquaintances. Since the United States is a federalist republic, we have two levels of government: federal and state. For most normal things, it`s the states that set the rules — meaning the answers to questions like “How can I legally change my name?” depend on the state you live in.

Each state has its own laws and processes for implementing those laws. If the order can`t be changed, or you don`t want to go through this process, you may need to request a name change, but keep in mind that many states allow you to simply reuse your previous name as long as you do it regularly. You can then request that it be changed in all your identification and personal records, but only after you have asked the court for a formal and documented change. If you hire a lawyer, you will also pay legal fees. You can also use an online legal service to help you complete the name change application. You may also need to consider other fees, such as those related to: In the context of a divorce case. If you are applying for a name change as part of an ongoing divorce, include your name change application in your application (if you are an applicant) or in your response (if you are a defendant), and the court may include the change in the final judgment. If you change your name in divorce proceedings, you can only change your name to (1) the name on your birth certificate or (2) the name you had immediately before the marriage. See Iowa Code Section 598.37. A: It`s often possible to download your state`s name change forms online, although you usually have to print them out and file them in person in local court.

The name change process usually cannot be done entirely online. Name changes cost a few hundred dollars and vary depending on where you sign up. If you`re an adult who just wants to change your name, you`ll need: It`s possible that your name change request will be denied (although this probably won`t happen if you follow our tips above). The two main reasons why a name change request may be denied are: 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 get a legal name change in court, the name on your birth certificate does not change automatically. This process can only be done through the Change Unit of the Vital Statistics Office.

You must submit a completed and signed request for correction, a fee of $50.00 in the form of a personal check or money order payable to the State of Michigan in U.S. dollars, a copy of your valid current photo ID and a copy of the court order for documentation. The $50.00 fee includes a certified copy of the record of changes made. Additional copies cost $16.00 each when ordered at the same time. After publication and sending, send the original quote with an excerpt from the newspaper communication, the green postcard and your signature confirming that you have sent the notice to the court and published it. If you`re starting a new business, you`ll need to choose a name that can be used in your state and doesn`t go against another company`s brand. Changing your name after marriage isn`t complicated, but it`s paper-heavy. Here is a checklist to help you streamline the process. Local courts accept different types of payments (cash, cheque, credit card, etc.). Call your court to find out what payment methods are accepted there. The publication of a public announcement of a name change may be required by your state. This means publishing your name change in a local newspaper.

Sometimes this requirement may be waived, but this decision is at the discretion of the court. The publication of your name change raises objections, which must be submitted within a deadline set by the court. You can change your name at your local probate and family court. Marriage and divorce are the most common reasons people change their name, but they can change their name if they want to change their gender identity or change their child`s name. In some cases, you may be asked to report your case. Note: The fear of fraud is real, so don`t be surprised if you get turned away by banks, insurance companies, etc. Fortunately, you have your court-issued certificate to secure yourself, so be sure to present it. Take a deep breath and be patient.