Common Reasons Why People Change their Names

The most common reasons people change their names are marriage and divorce. When spouses have their marriage certificate at hand, many of them go to change their name in a government office. If the marriage ends in divorce, the divorce decree is another common route that people use to change to their former names.

In order to change a name after getting married, you are required to provide the marriage license as a proof to your name change. If you are divorced and want to be using your former name, only mere usage is required. To be sure, confirm with your local court.

 

Do you need to file your name change in a court?

 

This is important though it is not mandatory in many states. Most countries allow a person to change their name simply through usage. Anyone can choose a number and start using it in their business or social settings. This name change is completely legal. Problems show up when it comes to financial agencies or the government.

In recent times when identity theft, frauds of credit card and fear of terrorist spies are many, most government and financial agencies will demand legal court documents to prove who you are. In addition, identification forms such as passport, birth certificate card and social security cards require legal documents that show you have changed your name.

Ensure you check with your local court assistant on the requirements of your state because states differ on their rules for name change.

 

The Process of Changing Your Name Legally

 

Beginning to use your new name is the most important legal thing you can do. When you are filling forms, make sure you use the new name. Use your new name to introduce yourself to friends and even family members.

As we have seen, some places like government agencies will need a legal document of your name change. Majority of states have a name changing process that is very simple while most national government websites allow you to fill an online form which you can print and use. The questions you are required to answer in the form are straight forward and include your social security number, old name, new name, why you want to change your name and a promise that your name change is not an intention to escape criminal or debt liability.

The form that is most required includes legal change of name petition, an order that shows cause of your legal name change and a change of name legal decree. After you have filled these forms, take them to a court assistant for filing along with a fee for filing that is required in your state. A magistrate will review the forms and grant change of name in most cases.

Although most states will only require usage for a name change as we have seen, having a document from court that permits you to change your name legally will be of importance to you when dealing with companies and institutions that are not honoring your name change.

Who You Should Notify of Your New Name

Ensure you change your name in all personal documents that you have such as accounts, wills, deeds, trusts etc. In addition to notifying your family and family of your new name, entities which include schools, employers, creditors and debtors, passport offices etc. also need to be aware of you name change.

Finally in order to ensure you do everything according to the laws of your state, it would be important to have a family law attorney who is experienced to walk you through the whole process. He/she will help you fill a petition for your legal name change with the proper government entity and will make sure you do the right thing as per the law

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Las Vegas Name Change Attorney Dan Lovell of Empire Law Group, providing services for contract disputes, HOA Actions, Real Property, Business Litigation, Defamation, Slander and Wrongful Termination. Contact us now to find out if you have a case