How To Get A Legal Name Change

11 things to know before legally changing your name

Signing Document — There's a few things you 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 you should be aware of before you take the plunge. Here are the most important things to know before changing your name.

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

This sounds intimidating, but it's actually pretty straightforward.

According to LegalZoom , you'll first need to prove your residency in your state. Next, you'll need to gather your supporting evidence: a current social security card, birth certificate, driver's license, and photo identification.

You'll then need to file a Petition for Change of Name . This is basically a form that you submit to your local court clerk. It includes your current and proposed name, your Social Security number, and sometimes a signed statement that you're not a convicted felon or have any outstanding warrants. You'll need to sign this form in front of a witness and a notary.

After filing the form, you'll be scheduled for a hearing . At the hearing, the judge or magistrate will ask you questions about your reasons for the name change. Once the judge signs off, you'll receive a certified copy of the Order, 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, changing your name isn't as simple as submitting a single form and waiting for your new social security card.

"The biggest thing to keep in mind about any name change 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 document such as a marriage certificate or court granted petition will allow you to change your name, it won't be truly official until you've submitted name change applications with the Social Security Administration, the DMV, and other relevant institutions.

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

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

State law governs what you can name yourself. While you can name yourself some pretty unique things , there are a few concrete rules about name changes by which you must abide.

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

You're also not allowed to change your name to an intentionally misleading name, such as that of a celebrity. Individuals are prohibited from using a name that includes punctuation or numerals, though some courts have permitted the use of periods or the spelling out of numerals.

You also can't pick a name that is a racial slur or would be considered offensive or intimidating.

5. You might have to announce your name change in the newspaper.

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

As LegalZoom explains, "In most states before a court will legally change your name, you need to publish notice of your intended change in a newspaper. This allows your creditors and other interested parties to object to the change. At a minimum, it puts them on notice that your name is about to change."

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 require you to advertise in the county where you live. And yes, you'll need to pay a fee to the newspaper to post your name change announcement.

6. It's easier to change your name if you're getting married or divorced.

As you might have gathered, it's much simpler to change your name if you're getting married or divorced as you don't need to go through the process of a court petition.

If you're getting married, all you need to do is show your marriage certificate (with your new name) to all relevant intuitions as proof of your new last 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 change should be reflected in your Decree of Dissolution, or Divorce Decree, according to the CDC .

7. It's not cheap to change your name.

It'll likely cost a few hundred dollars.

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

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

"All told, changing my name cost be about three days work and over $300," writer and literary agent Kate McKean tells Billfold .

8. You'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, but there are plenty of other people who need to know about your new name as well.

"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 .

You'll also need to inform parties like your employer, the post office, the voter registration office, doctors' offices, utility companies, landlord or mortgage companies, any school or alumni associations, insurance companies, and any airlines with which you've accrued reward points or miles, advises The Knot .

9. Don't change your name just before a big vacation.

If you don't travel very much, updating your passport with your new name might have slipped your mind. Unfortunately, due to long waits for passport renewal, your forgetfulness might result in a missed holiday.

"It can take the US State Department six weeks or more to process your application. During this time you won't have a passport, and it could limit your travel options," according to U.S. News.

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

10. Triple-check the spelling, and then check it again.

This is one name you won't want 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 year for people needing to make a legal name change because of a misspelling," Jo-Anne Stayner of I'm a Mrs. Name Change Service told Mental Floss .

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

11. Be prepared to answer questions from loved ones.

At the end of the day, the choice is yours.

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

Your friends may also have trouble adjusting to your new identify and may find it awkward to start referring to you by your new chosen name.

Answer questions as long as you feel comfortable doing so, but 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.

For more great stories, head to INSIDER's homepage .

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