Name Change Instructions

You probably expect to need to update your Social Security information and your credit cards, but there are plenty of other people who need to know about your new name as well. "A name change can have an impact on your taxes. All the names on your tax return must match Social Security Administration records.

Social Security Administration. Department of Motor Vehicles. Passport Office. Post Office. IRS. Voter Registration. Banks and other financial institutions. Credit Card companies (or issuers)

You have two options to fill out your forms: Complete your forms online. Some courts also require you to fill out local forms to ask for a name change, like a criminal background information form. Ask your local court clerk if there are local forms you have to fill out.

To legally change your name in DC, you will need to take the following materials to the DC Superior Court Judge-In-Chambers office, located in the Moultrie Courthouse, 500 Indiana Ave., NW, Room 4220, Washington, DC 20001; phone: (202) 879-1450; fax: (202) 879-1579.

Social Security Administration. Department of Motor Vehicles. Passport Office. Post Office. IRS. Voter Registration. Banks and other financial institutions. Credit Card companies (or issuers)

An affidavit duly signed by the applicant and attested by Judicial Magistrate/Notary. Original newspaper in which name change ad is given. Prescribed proforma (should be computer typed and not handwritten) with signatures of applicant and two witnesses.

Legally changing your name does offer quite a few potential benefits. First of all, it can give you a fresh start. Whether you want to put a difficult past behind you, escape the attentions of a stalker or start fresh during a new phase in your life, a legal name change can be very empowering.

A: The main reasons why a judge would not agree to change your name are: If the judge finds that you are changing your name to commit fraud, or. If the judge finds that you are changing your name to hide from the law or the police or for some other illegal reason.

Petition to change your name by filling out a name change form, an order to show cause for legally changing your name, and a decree to legally change your name. Take these forms to the court clerk and file them along with your state's required filing fees.