Should I Change My Name?
If you are pondering the idea of legally changing your name, one of your first key questions is likely “should I do this?”
Changing your name requires time, effort and expense. So whether due to major events like marriage, professional reasons, or simply personal preference, ensuring this significant decision is right for you is crucial.
Here is an in-depth look at the key factors to weigh when deciding if you should change your name or keep your current one.
Motivations Matter
Take stock of exactly what is motivating your interest in a name change. Common drivers include:
- Authenticating the name you already use
- Marriage or divorce
- Gender transition
- Protecting safety
- Family ties
- Fresh start
- Escape bullying
- Immigration
- Professional branding
- Spiritual rebirth
- Avoid confusion with others
- Pursuing uniqueness
- Aligning with identity
- Fixing pronunciation challenges
- Simplifying spelling
Think deeply about your name change reasons. Then reflect on whether a legal change is the only or best way to fulfill that motivation. For example, a professional pseudonym or nickname may address some needs without a full legal name change.
Get Feedback from Friends, Coworkers and Loved Ones
Talk over your thoughts in depth with anyone whose opinion you value, particularly family and loved ones before committing to a permanent change. Their feedback can prove invaluable:
- They may spotlight considerations or concerns you overlooked.
- Long-term ramifications on family naming conventions could arise.
- They may have suggestions for alternatives to an outright change.
- Rejecting generations of family naming tradition could disappoint elders.
- See if your new name might cause hurt, confusion or alienation.
- If married, ensure your spouse is fully supportive of the change.
Discussing the idea extensively, and ideally getting loved ones’ blessing, provides a sounding board before moving ahead.
Weigh the Costs
Factor in the financial costs associated with a legal name change:
- Court filing fees often range from $50 to $450 depending on location.
- Publication of public notice often costs $50 to $200 or more.
- Securing new copies of vital records like birth certificates usually costs about $20 to $50 per copy.
- Reissuing government IDs like driver’s licenses often costs around $20 to $60 each.
- Replacing passports costs $130 plus a $35 processing fee.
- Hiring a name change specialist is about $200 or an attorney usually costs anywhere from $500 to $2000 if professional help is desired.
In total, expect to spend at least hundreds of dollars plus when all associated fees are factored in. Boost savings ahead of time or budget accordingly.
Consider the Time Commitment
Aside from monetary costs, seriously weigh the time commitment changing your name entails:
- Research local requirements, find forms, schedule appointments, etc.
- Get your ID and official records together and available.
- Complete petition paperwork accurately and precisely.
- Attend court hearings that may require taking time off work.
- Public notice publication generally takes 2-6 weeks depending on jurisdiction.
- Government agencies like the DMV or Social Security Office often require visiting in person which can consume half a day.
- Contacting and coordinating updates with financial institutions adds administrative burden.
- If errors trigger hang-ups, resubmitting documentation may be required.
Realistically assess whether you have the time and organizational skills to navigate the lengthy process properly. If not, hiring professional assistance may be wise.
Think Through Implications
Carefully consider how practically using a new name could improve or complicate your life:
- Any current financial events, change of employment or housing circumstances need to be planned for.
- Errors or inconsistencies on records/documents may cause frustrating headaches.
- Travel could raise eyebrows and challenges if records bearing different names exist.
- School year or degree discrepancies may require explaining during resume verification or graduation.
- Severing ties with a distinct professional reputation built under your original name could stall career momentum.
- Take an inventory of areas of your life that currently rely on your unchanged name to anticipate any disruptions.
Assess Emotional Impact
Beyond just economics and logistics, gauge the potential emotional and psychological effects:
- Letting go of your identity anchored to the familiar name you’ve always known can feel destabilizing or cause a sense of loss. On the other hand, legalizing the name you have been using can be empowering.
- Friends and family will inevitably stumble with remembering a change, which might be irksome.
- Second thoughts after making a change permanent may trigger regret.
- Sadness could arise after disassociating from a name linked to beloved memories.
- Relief or excitement may accompany shedding an unpleasant name.
- Anticipate feelings that may surface and discuss them with loved ones to process the emotions before finalizing your choice.
Evaluate Alternatives
Think creatively about potential alternatives that don’t require complete permanent name changes:
- Can you get the name you want in use without going through the legal process?
- Legally change your name but continue using your original name as a nickname.
- Add or change just your middle name while keeping your first.
- Simply begin introducing yourself by a preferred name rather than making it official.
- Use initials or a professional pseudonym in your career to drive the change you want.
- Hyphenate names as a compromise rather than outright replacement.
These options allow reinvention without fully relinquishing an intrinsic part of your identity.
Envision the Future
Think ahead about how you’ll feel years in the future. Will the change still feel right and meaningful:
- Will solidifying a temporary trend as your permanent name feel regrettable later on?
- How would you feel looking back if family naming traditions are broken?
- Will a new name maintain its significance years down the road?
- Might keeping your original name actually provide comfort later in life?
- Picture your future self looking back to gain broader perspective.
Embrace Your Name History
Remember your existing name represents your unique journey to this point. Keep in mind:
- Your name encapsulates your entire childhood and upbringing.
- It ties you to family ancestry and heritage.
- There is no mandate dictating you must change it. If you resonate with it as-is, that is perfectly fine.
- It provides a consistent anchor providing stability amidst life changes.
- If your name has always felt right, don’t feel pressure to change it. It is 100% your choice.
- It is your choice, so change it to exactly the one you want if that’s what’s best for you.
Take your time with this very personal, important decision. Weigh it from all angles. There may be solutions that fall short of a full legal name change to get what you want. Focus on the goals and motivations driving your interest and aim to support your identity and self interests while still creating your best future. With prudence and self-reflection, you’ll determine if now is the time to take your new name legally, wait for a better time, or continue your story with your legal name just as it is now.
Start Your Name Change Now!!
Full Service Name Change in CA, GA, IL, NY & AZ
More states coming soon!
or
Call (818) 505-6189
Privacy Policy
We take privacy very seriously. Our Privacy Policy is published and available for you to review anytime through our website link found at the bottom of every website page. We don’t ask for or allow access to your information, for any reason, except for our use to prepare your required court documents. We destroy your information after it’s no longer needed to support your Name Change Petition process. We maintain a high-security website badge and use encrypted data transfer systems. Your privacy questions are welcome.
