Get IA Petition for Change of Name - Adult

In most states, you have to pay a fee (usually $150 to $200) to file your name change petition in court. It also costs a small amount of money to get forms notarized. And if you're getting married, you may want to pay for additional certified copies of your marriage certificate to use as proof of your new last name.

Go online to your state's judicial website. ... Take your completed petition to the clerk of the county court that handles name changes in your state. ... Ask the clerk for a fee waiver form when you're at the courthouse having your petition signature witnessed or notarized.

Residency. Verify the residency requirements in your state. ... Supporting Evidence. Gather your Social Security card, current valid birth certificate, and driver's license or other form of valid photo identification. ... Petition. Complete a Petition for Change of Name. ... Filing. ... Hearing.

Hyphenating your last name is considered a legal name change meaning you can't drop your spouse's name or the hyphen in the future without having to go through a court-ordered name change.

Dislike Current Name. ... Changing Name Following Divorce. ... Husband Taking Wife's Name upon Marriage. ... Changing Child's Surname to Mother's or Father's. ... Couples Combining or Hyphenating Surnames to Form a New One. ... Desire for a Less or More "Ethnic" Name. ... Transgender Name Changes. ... Religious Reasons.

You'll need a legal name to get a passport, driver's license and social security card. ... In the United States, going without a name is not inherently illegal. Police won't arrest you for not having a name. But you can't legally identify yourself without one, which would make things difficult for you.

Obtain a petition for name change. ... Fill in the petition. ... Sign the petition and have it notarized. ... File the petition with the civil clerk of the county courthouse in the county where you live. ... Attend your name change hearing. ... Publish your name change if you live in a state where this is required.

The process for legally changing your first name is the same as for legally changing your last name. It differs somewhat from state to state, but in all states you need to ask permission from the court and obtain an order from a judge. This order allows you to change your birth certificate and other documents.

In most states, you have to pay a fee (usually $150 to $200) to file your name change petition in court. It also costs a small amount of money to get forms notarized.

Not in most states, but it's helpful. Most states allow you to legally change your name simply through usage. You can choose a name and just start using it in social settings and in your business. This can be a completely legal name change.

Residency. Verify the residency requirements in your state. ... Supporting Evidence. Gather your Social Security card, current valid birth certificate, and driver's license or other form of valid photo identification. ... Petition. Complete a Petition for Change of Name. ... Filing. ... Hearing.

Changing Your Name Without Going to Court Using this common law rule, you can change your name without even going to court. Technically, you only need to begin using your chosen name to assume it and can do so legally. However, there are some benefits to having your name changed officially through the courts.

Go online to your state's judicial website. Most states offer forms for free legal documents. Print out a petition or application for name change. In some states, they're interactive; you can complete them online and print out a finished copy.

File a Petition to Change Your Name. The court process of getting a court order after filing a Petition for Change of Name can take up to 3 months. First, you file your petition. Then, you will get a court date between 6 and 12 weeks away.

How long does it take to legally change my name? Name change actions can take anywhere from a day, to six (6) months (sometimes even longer).