The Illinois Name Change Decree is a legal document that allows an individual living in the state of Illinois to change their name legally. There are two types of Illinois Name Change Decree available: Joint Name Change Decree and Individual Name Change Decree. A Joint Name Change Decree is used when two people, such as a married couple, wish to change their last names together. This type of name change requires both individuals to appear in court and obtain the decree. An Individual Name Change Decree is used when an individual wants to change their name without involving another person. This type of decree is filed in the circuit court in the county of the individual's residence. The individual must appear in court and present the decree to the judge. In both cases, the Illinois Name Change Decree is a legal document that must be signed by a judge in order to be valid. Once the legal name change has been finalized, the individual must update all of their documents, including driver's license, Social Security Card, and other forms of identification.