People change their names for all sorts of reasons. Commonly, a spouse might change their last name to match their spouse’s. Couples might also choose to hyphenate their names.
Other reasons include adopting a child, entering a domestic partnership, matching their gender identity, and establishing independence from family.
The process and cost of legally changing your name varies from state to state, but there are some commonalities and trends to expect when you start.
How Much Does It Cost to Change Your Name in the U.S. Legally?
Quick answer: Up to about $500.
The cost of legally changing your name in the U.S. depends on several factors, including the state you live in and the process you use. Most courts charge $25 to $500 to change your name. However, you might qualify to change your name for free when getting married or divorced.
You might find that you need to pay additional fees when changing your name. Some states require a background check before letting you legally change your name. You will need to pay for the background check. You also might need to pay for miscellaneous court costs and certified copies of legal documents.
If you hire a lawyer to complete the process for you, expect to pay that person for their time. The cost of hiring a lawyer can vary significantly depending on the professional’s experience.
How Long Does a Name Change Take?
Quick answer: less than six months.
You will need to wait for the court to process documents and update its database before you legally change your name. These and related tasks take time. How long does it take to legally change your name? That depends on the state.
Most states say it takes two to eight weeks to legally change an adult’s name. However, some states say it can take much longer. For example, Delaware says it could take six months or longer.
Why does it take states different amounts of time to change legal names? Some courts have backlogs that prevent clerks from getting to your documents quickly. Basically, you have to stand in line and wait your turn.
Other states require background checks before they will change your name. That adds time to the process but helps ensure people don’t change their name for illicit reasons, such as evading debts or criminal charges.
Is There a Way to Change Your Name for Free?
Quick answer: Yes, when getting married or divorced.
There are limited opportunities to change your name for free. For example, you don’t have to pay an additional fee when getting married. Instead, you can use your marriage license as proof that you’ve legally changed your name. You will need to use the marriage license to update records with several government agencies, including the Social Security Administration (SSA) and your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
Keep in mind that you can only change your name for free when taking your spouse’s name or hyphenating your names. If you want to choose a new name, you will need to go through your state’s process, which likely involves paying a fee.
You can also change your name for free after getting divorced. In this case, you would use the document that officially ends your marriage as proof of your new name. These documents are typically called judgments of divorce or certificates of dissolution, depending on the state.
When changing your name after divorce, you can only revert to your pre-marriage name. If you want to choose a new name, you must go through your state’s name-changing process.
How Hard Is It to Change Your Name Legally?
Quick answer: Relatively easily in most states.
If you have established residency in a state (usually by living there for a few months) and haven’t been charged or convicted of any major crimes, you should find it easy to change your name legally.
Depending on where you live, you might only need to fill out some forms and pay processing fees. You might also need to appear in court to tell a judge why you want to change your name. Some states require publishing your intention in a newspaper before you start filing documents to legally change your name.
Where Do I Go to Legally Change My Name?
Quick answer: Your local court.
In most states and counties, you must contact your county or circuit clerk to legally change your name. Your county court clerk should have more information about the process in your area.
When you contact the clerk, ask them about any documents you should bring to the court. You might need to bring items such as your birth certificate, Social Security card, passport, proof of residency, background check, a statement that you don’t owe any back taxes or child support, and testimony of your good intentions from county or state residents.
The requirements differ between states and counties, so it makes sense to ask these questions before you start collecting documents and spending money on fees.
Although the court is responsible for approving or denying your request, you might not have to appear in person. Many counties and states will let you submit documents online. The court will review them and reach a conclusion without meeting with you. If you feel that the court rejects your request without just reason, though, you will probably need to meet with someone to discuss your options. At this point, you might want to hire a lawyer who understands the process’s details.
What Is the Easiest State to Legally Change My Name?
Quick answer: Most states make it pretty easy to legally change your name, but Alabama is cheapest.
Which state makes it easiest to legally change your name? The answer depends on what factors matter most to you.
If you want to spend as little money as possible, Alabama looks like a good option. Alabama counties charge as little as $25 to process your application. You will, however, need to undergo a background check, which takes time and energy.
Plenty of states do not require background checks — or will leave the requirement up to a judge. These states include Alaska, Delaware, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
States and counties that don’t require background checks will still look at your background when deciding whether you can change your name legally. If the judge or clerk believes that changing your name could potentially harm the community or an individual, they might block your attempt. As long as you don’t have any outstanding debts, owe child support, or have serious crimes in your background, most courts will let you change your name.
Can You Change Your Last Name Without Getting Married?
Quick answer: Yes, you can change your name for nearly any reason.
For the most part, you can change your name for any reason. However, the court might block your decision to change your name if you have a criminal history. For example, the court will almost certainly deny the application of a registered sex offender. In this case, a judge would likely worry that the person wants to change their name to protect their identity as a sex offender, which could pose a risk to the community.
Similarly, a judge will probably deny a name-change request when the applicant owes money to the government, a former spouse, or a creditor. In these circumstances, the court would deny the request because it could help the person evade their debts, which might include back taxes and child support.
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