How legally changing your name is different in most states, doesn’t mean one states court order is less effective than another (Except Hawaii). That’s because each state sets it own rules. And every state honors each others Court Orders. The U.S. Government is on board with that arrangement too.
Depending on what state you live in, the rules for legally changing your name may vary and some legal name change processes can be very complex and time consuming. Some states, like California, have made the legal name change process accessible, but that doesn’t mean that the process is always easy to understand or follow for those without experience in the legal process. Even licensed lawyers get help from practiced professionals when they want to change their own name and haven’t done a legal name change before. That’s why we are proud to offer our full service name change services to residents from across the State of California and the nation. Why attempt something on your own when you can quickly and easily consult with the experts who can help you with your name change from start to finish. The things you have to be sure of in every state, is that all the correct forms and documents are properly filed in the right court, all the legal notices that have to be given are done correctly, and you’re aware of and know how to complete your Hearing to get your Name Change court order. Time is money – let the name change experts at EZ Name Change save you both with our Ready-To-File or Full Service name change packages and suite of services.
How does legally changing your name vary from state to state?
In many states across the US, legal name changes are informally allowed by Usage of a new name only, over a lot of years and in every aspect of your life. That said, even in those situations, the most important government and financial institutions such as banks, Social Security, DMV, Passport, Schools, etc., will likely require a court order, or Decree Changing Name, in order to issue you ID with your requested name change.
Most states which require a legal process to be followed by people interested in changing their name require an official court order in order to complete and officially document your name change, with the general exception being name changes that occur at the time of a marriage. Some state judicial systems will require an individual interested in changing their name to state before the court that they are not changing their name in order to commit fraud or some other illegal purpose. Some states require name change applicants to provide “reasonable explanations” of why they want to change their name. Some states have residency documentation requirements and some require criminal history background checks of differing types. The fees charged by state court systems to effectuate name changes varies by state and by county. Some states or jurisdictions may waive name change fees for applicants who can’t afford the court costs. In almost all states the name you wish to legally adopt may not be a name that is intended to mislead or incense the public (such as adopting the name of a famous celebrity, or a racial slur).
Under federal immigration law, when people apply for United States naturalization, those people have the option of changing their names when they become US citizens, at no additional charge. This gives new American citizens the opportunity to adopt new names which they may feel better reflect them as Americans – or for any other reason that the individual has to change their name. The legal adoption process, nearly everywhere in the United States, allows a legal name change as part of that process upon completion.
Wherever you live in the US and whatever your reason for changing your name, you should spend enough time to learn how it’s done where you live now. Because the process is a little complicated in every state, you should consider having a professional service or lawyer help you get through it cost-effectively. A lawyer’s help will likely be considerably more expensive in every situation. In California, EZ Name Change is to help ensure that your name change process is smooth, quick and reasonably priced. Changing your name doesn’t have to be a frustrating, complicated or expensive process. It can be EZ.
Contact EZ Name Change to talk to us about our services, or get some information you may need to get your name change underway! “How do I change my name?”, and “What requirements for name changes does my state have?” may be among your first questions, but we’ll be here to answer your questions because each name change is VERY personal…and important!.