How To Change Your Name Name

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5 EASY STEPS

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The very first step in the process of changing your name starts by going to your local county clerks office. There, you will find out if you need a lawyer for the process, but typically your county clerks office will give you information pertaining to self-help so you can do the name change on your own without hiring a lawyer. Each state has their own procedure so it’s important to go to your local county clerks office to gather this information.

What to bring to your local county clerks office?

You will need the following:

Valid State Identification Card

Pay Stub or Utility Bill for Proof of Residency

Social Security Number and Full Name

Money for Information Packets and Forms

A Pen for writing

File a Petition for a Change of Name

A Petition for Name Change form must be completed. It’s the primary document used in order to submit your name change request. This document can be mailed or submitted online depending on your state. Once the form and other documents are completed, go to your local county clerks office to have them reviewed. This can save a lot of time and trouble if you made a mistake filling out the form. If completed by mail, make certain to make 2 copies of the form and send the original. A filing fee is required by most states, however in some cases it’s possible to apply for a fee waiver.

Knowledge Tip: The reason for making copies is because you will need to provide a copy of the petition for a change of name form when publishing your new name in the newspaper. Look at Step 4 for more information.

SeOnce the petition is filed with the county clerk, they will issue you a court date which will allow you to present the reason(s) for changing your name. Typically the court will issue the court date in 4-6 weeks from submitting your petition. It may seem like a long wait for a rather simple court hearing. However in most cases, there will be actions that you must complete before the court hearing and the long wait gives you plenty of time to complete the necessary actions. This leads us to our next step.

Publishing Your

One very common thing that most states require is the requirement to make a publication in your local newspaper of the new name change. It’s always a good idea to call your local newspaper and ask the cost of publication. Making certain that you have enough money to cover the court filing fees and newspaper publication costs is imperative. If required, your state will give you the correct document which is used in your newspaper publication. You will also need a copy of your petition for a change of name form. Once printed in the newspaper, save it for your future court date.

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Bring all documents to your court hearing. Arrive early and do not be late. It’s your responsibility to find the correct court room if you do not have an attorney helping you through the process. If the judge approves your application, a decree will be signed which is the most important document because it allows you to change your name on all the most sensitive documents including your passport, driver’s license, birth certificate and social security card. Once you have all your sensitive documents changed, you can then go to your bank and have the name of your debit/credit cards changed as well.