How Many Times Can You Legally Change Your Name

11 things to know before legally changing your name

Signing Document — In that location's a few things y'all need to know about legally changing your name.

People change their names for a variety of reasons.

Whatever your reasons, there are a few things yous should exist aware of before you lot take the plunge. Here are the nigh important things to know before irresolute your name.

2. If you lot're not getting married, you lot demand to complete a court petition.

This sounds intimidating, but information technology's actually pretty straightforward.

According to LegalZoom , you lot'll start need to testify your residency in your state. Next, you'll need to gather your supporting show: a electric current social security card, birth certificate, commuter'south license, and photo identification.

You'll then demand to file a Petition for Alter of Proper noun . This is basically a form that you submit to your local court clerk. Information technology includes your electric current and proposed name, your Social Security number, and sometimes a signed statement that you're not a bedevilled felon or have whatsoever outstanding warrants. Yous'll need to sign this grade in front of a witness and a notary.

Afterwards filing the form, you'll be scheduled for a hearing . At the hearing, the gauge or magistrate will ask you questions about your reasons for the name modify. Once the judge signs off, you'll receive a certified copy of the Club, which you must present to anyone who needs verification of your new name.

3. It's a long process. Be prepared to be patient.

Unfortunately, irresolute your proper name isn't as simple every bit submitting a single form and waiting for your new social security menu.

"The biggest thing to keep in heed virtually any proper name alter is that it is a process, rather than a one-stop shop," VP of Experience at HitchSwitch Anna Phipps tells Mental Floss .

While a legal certificate such as a marriage document or court granted petition will permit you to modify your name, it won't exist truly official until you've submitted name change applications with the Social Security Administration, the DMV, and other relevant institutions.

4. You tin can name yourself virtually anything, with a few important exceptions.

You can't change your name to intentionally mislead people or hide from the police force.

Land police governs what yous tin can name yourself. While yous tin can name yourself some pretty unique things , there are a few physical rules well-nigh proper noun changes by which you must abide.

According to FindLaw , nigh states prohibit changing your name to escape debt, hibernate from criminal liability, or to commit a crime.

Y'all're likewise not immune to change your proper noun to an intentionally misleading name, such as that of a celebrity. Individuals are prohibited from using a proper name that includes punctuation or numerals, though some courts take permitted the use of periods or the spelling out of numerals.

Yous also tin't option a proper noun that is a racial slur or would be considered offensive or intimidating.

v. You might have to announce your proper noun change in the newspaper.

Even if you're not getting married, you will usually be required to denote your new name to the world in the form of a newspaper advertisement.

Every bit LegalZoom explains, "In most states before a court will legally change your name, y'all demand to publish notice of your intended change in a newspaper. This allows your creditors and other interested parties to object to the modify. At a minimum, it puts them on notice that your name is nigh to modify."

Check with your court clerk regarding the details of advertising your new name. Some states require you to post the announcement in certain newspapers , while others only crave y'all to advertise in the county where you lot live. And yep, you lot'll demand to pay a fee to the paper to post your name change announcement.

half dozen. Information technology's easier to modify your name if y'all're getting married or divorced.

Equally you might have gathered, it'south much simpler to change your name if yous're getting married or divorced as you don't demand to get through the procedure of a court petition.

If yous're getting married, all you lot need to do is show your marriage certificate (with your new name) to all relevant intuitions as proof of your new terminal name, according to The Knot .

If you're getting divorced, changing back to your maiden name will usually be covered in the divorce proceedings. Your name modify should exist reflected in your Decree of Dissolution, or Divorce Decree, co-ordinate to the CDC .

7. It's not inexpensive to change your proper name.

Information technology'll probable cost a few hundred dollars.

According to LegalZoom , you lot should be set to spend at least $100 to $150 to file a proper name modify petition in court, plus additional fees to have your forms notarized.

Yous'll also probably need certified copies of your name change petition documents or matrimony certificate to present to various institutions, and so program on forking over a pretty penny for those duplicates. In some states, you lot might end up spending up to $450 for your new name.

"All told, changing my name cost exist about iii days piece of work and over $300," writer and literary agent Kate McKean tells Billfold .

8. Y'all'll have to update a lot of different people and institutions.

You probably expect to need to update your Social Security information and your credit cards, merely there are plenty of other people who need to know about your new name equally well.

"A proper name alter can have an impact on your taxes. All the names on your tax return must lucifer Social Security Administration records. A name mismatch tin can delay your refund," co-ordinate to the Internal Revenue Service .

Yous'll also need to inform parties like your employer, the mail service part, the voter registration office, doctors' offices, utility companies, landlord or mortgage companies, whatever school or alumni associations, insurance companies, and any airlines with which yous've accrued advantage points or miles, advises The Knot .

9. Don't change your name just before a large holiday.

If you don't travel very much, updating your passport with your new proper noun might take slipped your heed. Unfortunately, due to long waits for passport renewal, your forgetfulness might event in a missed holiday.

"Information technology can take the US State Section six weeks or more to process your application. During this fourth dimension you won't accept a passport, and it could limit your travel options," according to U.Southward. News.

The sooner yous employ for a new passport, the sooner you can resume globetrotting.

x. Triple-check the spelling, and and then bank check it again.

This is 1 name you won't desire to misspell.

The last thing you want after jumping through countless hoops to change your name is to realize you misspelled your new moniker.

"It might seem obvious, but we get several inquiries a twelvemonth for people needing to make a legal proper noun change because of a misspelling," Jo-Anne Stayner of I'm a Mrs. Proper noun Change Service told Mental Floss .

To avoid the hassle and embarrassment of sending out an official memo that you misspelled your own proper noun, be sure to quadruple-check that it looks correct on every class you submit.

11. Exist prepared to answer questions from loved ones.

At the end of the twenty-four hours, the choice is yours.

Your loved ones may not empathize your reasons for changing your name, especially if yous're opting to let go of a family name or change the birth name your parents gave you.

Your friends may as well have trouble adjusting to your new place and may find it awkward to first referring to yous by your new called proper name.

Answer questions as long every bit you feel comfortable doing so, simply remember that your chosen name is a highly personal matter. The important thing is that your new name makes you happy and reflects an identity that feels right to you.

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