In general, anyone can legally change their name for any reason except to commit fraud or evade the law. To make it official, you'll need a court order legally changing your name. The procedure for getting that order depends on the state and county where you live—and the cost will range from
$150 to $436
.
Is name changing free?
In most states, you have to pay a fee (usually
$150 to $200
) to file your name change petition in court. It also costs a small amount of money to get forms notarized. And if you're getting married, you may want to pay for additional certified copies of your marriage certificate to use as proof of your new last name.
How can I legally change my first name?
- Start the legal process. File a petition with your local court requesting the change.
- Complete and File All Required Forms. Petition for Name Change Form NC-100. …
- Publish Notice of Name Change. …
- Court Hearing.
Can I change my full name?
Note: In California,
you generally have the legal right to change your name simply by using a new name in all aspects of your life
, also known as the “usage method.” BUT, with few exceptions, government agencies require a court order as official proof of a name change so getting a court order is the best way to make …
Can I use my husband's last name without legally changing it?
No. When you marry,
you are free to keep your own name
or take your husband's name without a court-ordered name change. The same is true whether you're in a same-sex or opposite-sex marriage. … However, in general, you'll need a court order if you and your spouse both want to change to a different name that you share.
Is there a time limit to change your name after marriage?
FAQ. How long do you have to change your name after getting married?
You have as long as you want to change your name after getting married
. While many states prefer that you notify them that you've changed your name within 30 days after your wedding, you'll still be allowed to change your name even if you wait.
At what age can you change your name?
Once you're
16 years old
, it's legally your own decision to change your name. If you're 16 or 17, you're treated in the same way as an adult, and you can change your own name (by deed poll) without your parents' consent. (And your parents cannot change your name for you without your own consent.)
Why do I hate my name?
There are lots of reasons people might hate their name.
Maybe they think it's too ordinary or too unusual
. Maybe it's too long or too short. Maybe it lends itself to unfortunate nicknames.
Does my name automatically change when I get married?
Since
your name does not change automatically when you get married
, you have to make sure you follow all the necessary legal steps to changing your name after the wedding.
What are the consequences of changing your name?
“A
name change can have an impact on your taxes
. All the names on your tax return must match Social Security Administration records. A name mismatch can delay your refund,” according to the Internal Revenue Service.
How do I take my husband's last name?
Take your spouse's name. The most traditional name-game routine is for a newlywed wife to take her husband's last name. To follow this path, you should first
request a certified copy of your marriage certificate from your state's Department of Health
.
Can I use both maiden and married name?
In most states, you have the option to take your spouse's last name, hyphenate your last names, use two last names without a hyphen, or
move your maiden name to your middle name and take your spouse's
last name. We think it's important that you know all of the name change options before your big day.
Who needs to be notified when you change your name?
You'll want to notify
the U.S. Postal Service, your employer, insurers and your doctors
. Again, simply showing these various parties your marriage certificate and updated driver's license should be sufficient to get them to record the change.
What needs to be changed after marriage?
- Your Social Security card. If you've changed your name, this should be your first stop. …
- Your driver's license. …
- Your credit union/bank account information. …
- Your payroll information. …
- Your life insurance and retirement accounts. …
- Your insurance policies. …
- Your creditors.
Do I need to go to court to change my name?
In California
you can legally change your gender with or without a name change
. In this case, you do not need a court order unless you want one. You can change your driver's license, social security card and US passport, as well. However, you may need a court order if you want to change your birth certificate.
Can a 16 year old change their last name?
To legally change the name of a minor, you
must serve notice on the
child's father of the child's intention to change her name. If he agrees, you must file a Consent for Change of Name (Minor Child) form with the court. If he does not agree…
