First off, I'd appreciate it if no one mocked my lack of knowledge. The reason I'm here is because I do want to learn about something I don't know about.
I'm thinking about changing my first name for personal reasons. I read that I'm supposed to get a court order of some sort, but I've never ever dealt with anything legal like passports or anything of the sort, so I need you guys' help. The closest thing I've done is get my license at the DMV, but I digress. To begin, where do I even start? I live in California, and I don't know where to get a "court order". Is this process going to be complicated? I'd think you just fill out a form and get it approved by some sort of judge, pay a fee and it's done. But it's not that easy, right? Or is it?
Can someone please explain the process to me step by step?
2007-04-27 07:44:32 · 9 answers · asked by NereidoftheBlue 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
To McAllen, if you must know, I was named after my dad. To put it shortly, I'm not trying to spite him nor am I angry at him. I just don't want to be named after him. Anymore details would be too personal.
To James, I live in Contra Costa County.
2007-04-27 08:25:54 · update #1
This site should give you a good start on answering your questions.
www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp/other/namechange.htm
This is the same site as James references, but it is the place that tells you what to do, not just to access the forms.
2007-04-30 11:58:26 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The process is pretty straightforward. Basically, you need to get a number of forms either from the site below or your county's Superior Court, fill them out, and bring them to your county's Superior Court where a clerk will be able to explain to you the process. You'll file your paperwork, pay the fee, post a notice of your name change petition, and come back in a couple weeks to have the name change made official.
I could get more detailed or specific information if you tell me the county you live in.
2007-04-27 07:53:15 · answer #2 · answered by James 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
At the risk of being "off topic", I will comment on Pennsylvania law regarding change of name. People in Pennsylvania and other states may get some practical advice from Bisel's Pennsylvania Keystone Desk Reference, http://www.bisel.com/descriptions/ChangeOfName.pdf.
Although a married woman may resume her maiden name after divorce (54 Pa. C.S. § 704), and the name of an adoptee may be changed by a decree of adoption (23 Pa. C.S. § 2904), the principal method of effecting a legal change of name is by petition and rule under the Act.
The best place to start, no matter what jurisdiction, is at an attorney's office. Papers need to be filed, there are legal advertisements which need to be placed in newspapers of general circulation, and there will generally be a hearing in front of a judge. In many jurisdictions, it is not as easy as getting some "fill in the blanks" forms at the clerk of courts' office. Also, within a given state, procedures may be different on a county-by-county basis as a result of different local rules of court.
Good luck, and God bless.
2007-04-27 11:38:22 · answer #3 · answered by Mark 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go to the Clerk of Courts office. You have to fill out paperwork, and then write why you want your name changed. From there the paperwork goes in front of a judge (you generally need not be there). The judge can OK or deny it based on your reason you wrote. Voila, all done! You'll get a notice in the mail either way.
2007-04-27 07:51:36 · answer #4 · answered by chefgrille 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Look in your local telephone book, in the blue "Government" pages, for the County Recorder in your county. Contact their office, which records all births, deaths, name changes, etc... and find out how this is done in your county. Every County is different, so I can't be more help than that!
Most forms are available online, at the California Judicial Council website... so once you know the form you'll need to fill out, you can go there to find it, fill it out, and print it.
I'm not sure whether you need to get a court order or not.... I would guess not.
2007-04-27 07:50:28 · answer #5 · answered by Amy S 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I knew of two people who did it throught the DMV. But the change was slight.
One just took the first half of their last name and dropped the ski.
Another person dropped their first name and made their middle name primary.
Then you need to contact the Social Security Administration to make the change there. They will have a better handle on how to go about making this kind of change.
2007-04-27 07:49:47 · answer #6 · answered by Suze 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
certainly while i became into 7 years previous i needed my call to be morgan. then olivia, then rosey, and a lot greater now ive concept approximately how fortunate i'm to have a acceptance like demitria that's unique and regardless of if i dont others do. morgan is a huge call try questioning of a few names you like and perhaps supply it some years. in case you do exchange it however human beings nevertheless are going to have hardship not calling you morgan. and it style of feels like a lot is in touch in it. ex. changing identity, changing drivers license, ect. identity think of roughly it. :) wish that helped
2016-12-10 13:05:19 · answer #7 · answered by eisenhauer 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Seriously. See a lawyer.
But before you do, what's wrong with your name?
I would never change my name, because it identifies me in a living chain going back many generations. It is part of who I am.
Rethink the whole idea.
2007-04-27 07:51:34 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
get a lawyer
2007-04-28 08:37:15 · answer #9 · answered by alco19357 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋