how to change your name without an attorney

by Jack Johns 4 min read

Complete the name change forms and make sure you have followed all requirements. Fill out the Petition for Change of Name as well as the Final Decree for Change of Name. If your state requires the publication of your name change request in a local newspaper, attach proof of publication to your application.

Do I need a lawyer to change my name?

Step By Step Process to Change Your Name. Petition to change your name by filing the requirements below with the help of your county’s court clerk after making sure all the forms are carefully ... Pay the processing fees, as required by the court. Attend the …

How do I legally change my name?

Benjamin O. Anosike, Ph.D., Legal Counselor, Legal scholar & multiple legal books author, Certified matrimonial & personal relationship mediator, African family cultural expert, Founder and President of PUSDAM (People United to Save Diaspora African Marriages), creator of the ASFGSM formula for successful marriage - the Anosike Strategic Formula for Guaranteed Successful …

Do you need a court order to change your name Texas?

How it works. 1. Complete our name change questionnaire. 2. We create your name change documents. 3. Get a final wrap-up of your name change order. For a more detailed view of our name change process, click here.

Can I change my name after a felony conviction?

To change a name in Virginia, an adult must file a petition, or application, with their circuit court of residence. The petition requires a $32 filing fee, which may change depending on one’s residence county. Before a petitioner submits the application and filing fee, the petitioner must acknowledge the petition under oath.

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How difficult is it to change your name?

The process of changing your name is not difficult however it requires a tedious effort to do so. There are many steps, which can be slow at times, that are required to successfully change your name. It's easy to change your name in social settings, all you have to do is introduce yourself with your desired name.Dec 31, 2021

How much does it cost to change your name?

What Fees Are Involved To Change a Name? Name changes cost anywhere from under $100 to more than $500, depending on your state. In many states, fees vary in each county, so check with your local probate, family, or district court clerk. Many states still have fees well under $100.Mar 17, 2022

How do you change your name for free?

The Social Security Administration has its own form which you can get for free. The good folks at SSI will also let the IRS know about the name change, so you're good to go. When you go to the DMV, you'll just need to bring the certified copy of the marriage certificate and you'll be done.

Does changing your name affect anything?

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.Aug 8, 2018

How can I change my name legally?

Steps to Legally Change Your NamePetition 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.More items...•Jul 22, 2020

Do you have to pay to change your name on your passport?

Apply using a paper application form It costs £85. Fill in and sign your passport application using the name that you want to see printed on your passport.

Can I change my name for free online?

Legal Name Change After Marriage or Divorce Online and Free If you want to understand the process a bit, just click on your reason — marriage name change, divorce name change or legal name change — to review a summary of the process, or get links to forms. It's all free.

What is a good reason to change your name?

Change your name to honor your heritage, ethnicity or for religious reasons; and. Change your name to honor a step-parent or other person that has been special in your life; and, Create a new last name for both you and your spouse by hyphenating your surnames.Feb 11, 2016

How long does it take to legally change your name?

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). The time it takes for name change actions to be ordered/decreed varies not only from state to state but from county to county and courthouse to courthouse as well.

Who do I need to notify when I change my name?

The police: If you have a criminal record the police will also need to be notified of your new name. Insurance providers, utility companies, local councils and the electoral roll should also be notified of any change.Dec 15, 2017

How much does it cost to change your name?

As it varies by state, changing you name typically costs under a few hundred dollars. It’s after you change your name that the fees add up with things like a new drivers license, social security card and passport. All of which will cost money to replace. Again, states charge different fees to replace IDs and documents.

Why do people change their last name?

People change their name for a variety of reasons. By far the most common reason people change their name (last name) is due to marriage or divorce. Other reasons include: Entertainment Stage Name. Gender Change. State Witness Program. Troubled History. Dislike of Birth Name. Restoring a Former Name.

How old do you have to be to get married in Florida?

In Florida, not only do you not need to be a resident to get married, you do not need to be a citizen of the United States. Age Requirement – 18 years of age.

How much does a marriage ceremony cost?

A Marriage Ceremony is inexpensive when done by the state. Most states charge between $25-$60 dollars when performed by a Marriage Officiant. A Marriage Ceremony must be done within 30 days to 90 days, depending on the state, from the marriage license date of issuance.

How to change name on passport?

To change your name on a US Passport an applicant will need to do the following: If applying less than 1 year after your previous passport was issued you will need to gather the following: Complete Form DS-5504 either Online or in Adobe PDF. Your Current Passport.

Is it hard to change your name?

The process of changing your name is not difficult however it requires a tedious effort to do so. There are many steps, which can be slow at times, that are required to successfully change your name. It’s easy to change your name in social settings, all you have to do is introduce yourself with your desired name.

How to change your name after marriage?

A legal name change after marriage can be accomplished without court involvement, just by filing the necessary forms. You will need to present your marriage certificate in multiple government institutions, so make sure to have multiple certified copies.

Why do people change their names?

In other cases, an individual may choose to do so simply because they dislike their given name.

What happens after an adoption is approved?

After the adoption application is approved by the judge and the process is finalized, the state will issue a new birth certificate. The new amended birth certificate will be issued replacing the biological parents’ names with the names of the adoptive parents.

How to change your name in court?

The first step is filing a petition in the proper court, along with any other required forms and paying the filing fee. In most states, the petitioner (the individual making the request) must publish notice of the petition in a local newspaper.

What is a copy of a divorce decree?

A certified copy of your marriage certificate or divorce judgment serves as "proof" of your name change, and can be used when you register your new name with government, business and financial agencies. In order to save time and simplify this process, our partner makes it easier to complete and file your name change forms with every organization ...

About This Guide

This guide is intended for Texans seeking information about name changes. Though most name changes require a court order, certain instances (e.g., typographical or spelling errors) allow a person to amend a birth certificate through the Texas Vital Statistics office without a court order.

Texas Law

Below you will find references to areas of Texas law that govern name changes. If you find these statutes difficult to understand, you may want to look at the "plain English" resources on this page or speak to an attorney.

Understanding the Law

Because the law may not be easy to understand, below you'll find a collection of resources that help to explain the law in simple terms.

Gender Markers and Name Changes

See the resources below if you are also seeking to change the gender marker on official personal documents. For related information, see our LGBT Law guide.

Who Can I Contact?

Apart from Texas Vital Statistics -- which amends birth certificates and other vital records in case of errors -- there is no state agency that handles a request for a name change. The process is handled by the courts.

E-Books Available from the State Law Library

If you have a library account in good standing, you can check out an OverDrive e-book or access our remote databases. Don't have a library account? Texas residents can register for a library account from home! Learn more about how to register from home.

Books Available from the State Law Library

Listed below are some of the library resources that can provide further guidance on this topic. Please call us at (512) 463-1722 if you have any questions about these materials.

How Do You Change a Name as an Adult?

There are several requirements that must be completed before a person can petition to have their name changed. Depending on the reason why they are changing their name and also on the relevant laws in their particular jurisdiction, these requirements generally include:

What Can Prevent Me From Changing My Name?

There are certain scenarios in which a person might be prohibited from having their name changed. In some cases, they may have to provide notice to a person who has an interest in their name change.

What happens if you challenge a will?

If your beneficiaries challenge handwritten notes within your will, the cost of defending your will may deplete the funds in your estate. Further, it will take longer for your estate to be distributed among your beneficiaries. If you would like to modify your will, the proper venue to do this is through a codicil.

What is a codicil in a will?

A codicil is a legal document, added to your will, through which you can make valid changes to your estate plan. You must sign the codicil with the same formalities that are required for the will. In most jurisdictions, this involves the signature of at least one witness.

Is a handwritten will valid?

Not all handwritten changes to a will may be valid, however. It is important to remember that state law governs the creation and revision of wills; therefore, you should check the laws of your particular state before making any changes to your will. Depending on the laws of your state, handwritten notes in a will may qualify as a valid testamentary ...

Is a will a testamentary disposition?

Depending on the laws of your state, handwritten notes in a will may qualify as a valid testamentary disposition . This is more likely to occur if the changes are entirely in your handwriting, and are signed and dated. Conversely, a court in another state may find that the entire will is invalid based on the handwritten notes.

Can I change my will without an attorney?

Can I Make Handwritten Changes to a Will without an Attorney? At some point you may want to update or change a will after you have created it. Rather than taking the will to an attorney, you may attempt to change the will yourself. Not all handwritten changes to a will may be valid, however.

How to get a copy of a deed to a house?

Retrieve your original deed. If you’ve misplaced your original deed, get a certified copy from the recorder of deeds in the county where the property is located. You’ll need to know the full name on the deed, the year the home was last bought, and its address. Expect to pay a fee for a copy of the deed.

What is the difference between a deed and a title?

While a deed evidences the transfer of property, a title states how the ownership is held. The title sets forth the capacity of an owner to offer an interest in the home as collateral for mortgages, and to transfer the whole interest, or a portion of their property interest, to someone else in the future.

What is warranty deed?

The general warranty deed promises that no unmentioned lienholders exist who might have claims to the property; it means the owner is free to sell the home . Warranty deeds are used in “arm’s length” transactions — between people who don’t know each other apart from the real estate deal.

Can a will be written without a lawyer?

Wills, of course, are another way to transfer a deed, and a will can be written without a lawyer. A will is also a good way to pass a home on after death, to be sure an heir gets a stepped-up cost basis and receives a break on capital gains tax. But a will has no effect on deeds if their titles are vested in certain ways.

What is community property?

Community property: In community property states, spouses own the home 50-50. Each may leave their part in a will. Some states offer community property with survivorship rights, which avoids probate. A title may be in people’s names, or the name of a business.

Can a spouse leave a will?

Tenants by entirety: In states that allow this type of vesting, spouses may be able to keep creditors from placing liens on property for one owner’s debt without the co-owner’s consent.

What is a quitclaim deed?

Quitclaim deeds are cost-effective tools for transferring interests in real property when there is no need for researched guarantees. Always consider potential tax implications before you decide to transfer real estate, including tax on the deed transfer itself.

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Step 1 – Clerk of Court

  • 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 y…
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Step 2 – File A Petition For A Change of Name

  • A Petition for a Change of Name formmust 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 …
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Step 3 – Set A Court Date

  • Once 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 h…
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Step 4 – Publishing Your New Name

  • 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 …
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Step 5 – Sign Decree at Court Hearing

  • 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 …
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Step 1 – Apply For A Marriage License

  • Go to or contact the local county recorder’s officein the county you plan to do the marriage ceremony and/or apply for the marriage license. A marriage license must be issued before a marriage ceremony takes place. The county recorder’s office is the only place you can apply for a marriage certificate. After applying for a marriage certificate, the County Clerk will then issue yo…
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Step 2 – Setup A Marriage Ceremony

  • A Marriage Ceremony is inexpensive when done by the state. Most states charge between $25-$60 dollars when performed by a Marriage Officiant. A Marriage Ceremony must be done within 30 days to 90 days, depending on the state, from the marriage license date of issuance. Where?– When a marriage ceremony is done by the state, it’s typically performed in the county clerk’s offi…
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Step 3 – Request Certified Copy

  • Request a certified copy of your original marriage license. It comes at a fee but it’s a must have if you wish to change your name on sensitive documents such as IDs and bank cards.
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