how do i change my name to my birth given name?

Answer 1

Names can be changed in two ways:

1. Pick a new name and consistently use it. This is called "common usage."
2. Go through a more formal court process.

Both are equally legitimate. However, you can't just change your name to anything you want. Here are the main limiations:

1. You can not change your name if you have "fraudulent intent," meaning that you're trying to avoid bankruptcy by becoming someone else.

2. You can not change your name in the hope of messing with a trademarked name. For instance, you can't rename yourself Merrill Lynch and open a stock brokerage house. This also applies to giving yourself the name of a famous person. You can't legally change your name to Meryl Streep and then try to make money off of your new name.

3. You can not use numbers in your name, like 911, in order to intentionally confuse people. You also can not use symbols (ampersands, percent signs, whatever). However, you can add Roman numerals to the end of your name if you want a pretentious one like Winthrop Winterbottom IIIVVXXI. (It is unclear whether the artist formerly known as Prince is aware that his symbol is far from legitimate.)

4. Naughty or violent words are not allowed by the courts, nor is anything with a racial slur. Yes, there are porn stars who give themselves rather questionable names, but these are often stage names and are treated as nicknames.

5. If you're a minor, you need to have a court decision. This often occurs when parents get divorced and a child wants to join his/her mother in using her maiden name.

This is just part of the link...click below to get all the info.

Answer 2

As an adult, going to court to officially change your name is not usually necessary for a given name.

Just start using your "new" name. You can have your checks and credit cards as well as phone listings changed to reflect the new name. Your social security account and drivers license will still have your "old" given name, as will some other official documents. However, eventually most people will know you by your chosen name.

A friend of mine was given the name Clarence, which he hated. He chose another and few people have any idea that it isn't his "real" name.

Answer 3

I did this when I was young - I just had to have proof that I had been using the other name for so many years, went to Social security, applied for what is called a "legal alias" - in other words, they reissued my soc. security card in the other name, took that and some mail to the DMV and got my driver's license in the other name and off I went, forever with a different name and no attorneys, no money, for me, it was easy. Check with social security and see how long you have to use the other name first.

Then, of course, is the option of paying an attorney for a name change.

Answer 4

you can change your name as many times as you like you don't have to ask any one for permission, you do have to use the same S/S # and not be using a changed name for fraudulent reasons.