Me and my friends are arguing about if you can and cannot change your birth name, who is right?

Question

I say you can't and they say you can, who's right?

So if you change your name and birth name no one will know what your name was?

So if you are 18 and you changed your name and birth name, and when someone looks back at lets say your elementary school, high school, etc. alumni, will your name be changed to the name you changed it to?

So if I tell the high school or elementary school to change my name in the alumni, they will do it?

Dang it! How will I tell them you're right? I hate myself for arguing.

Answer 1

you can

Answer 2

Yes a person can change their name if they want, once they are of age they can. It does cost money to do so, but it can be done.

Your friends and other people that know you wouldn't know you new name unless you tell them.

BTW:
If the name change took place after you finished school then the year books would have your old name in them and not your new name at all. Since it would have been changed after you graduated.

Answer 3

You can legally change your name. You will have to get your birth certificate amended and obtain a new social security number, etc.

However, no-your name will not be changed on prior records/documents. And you will need to keep a copy of your court order with your name change status to prove that you are who you say you are when you try to use anything with your previous name.

My nephew was raised in our family, but was really the stepchild of a sibling. He wanted to have his surname legally changed to ours, and since he was so close to 18 at the time the easiest (and least expensive) way was to wait until after his 18th birthday. Getting it changed was relatively easy-but all of the followup (birth certificate, social security card, etc.) and then having to prove that for instance his diploma was indeed his when his ID shows a different name was difficult.

Answer 4

I am sure the law is different between the states. Yes, anyone may change their legal name (there are some exceptions, i.e. sex offenders.) Birth certificates may be changed. There is usually a fee, of course. Since it is a legal issue- I am sure there is an obvious trail back to the original birth name.

Answer 5

Women change their name all the time when they get married. Some records are worth getting changed right away. Others, such as your transcript, just require proof that you changed your name. However, once you have graduated, most high schools cannot alter the name in the file. They will forward it on, noting the name change, if necessary to the college or whomever you gave permission to get your transcripts.

Answer 6

In the US, you can have it legally changed, but I don't know about England. In fact, I know a person changed their first name. I know a different person that legally changed his surname.

edit: concerning your question if people will know who you were, yes and no. The government will know and it can be discovered fairly easily if you're a criminal, terrorist or fugitive from justice. Usually on official documents such as passports etc, there will be a required revealing about if you have been known by any other names. If you're applying to work at McDonald's, probably not.

Answer 7

At 18 you can petition the court to legally change your name. From that forward your name will be the one you have changed it to.

No...any school record or yearbook will not magically change to the new name. When you need your high school transcripts you will need to request them in your birth name and then provide documentation to prove you are ho you say you are.

Answer 8

You can change your birth name. My mother in law changed my husband's name when she adopted him. And he was going to change it back in High School but never got the paperwork done.

All it takes is a background check to make sure you're not running from the law, and some paperwork, and I think you have to go before the judge for him to OK it.

Answer 9

My mom had her name changed when she was 17, with her mother's consent. If she'd waited another year, until she was 18, she could have done it on her own. Knowing what her name used to be, I can't imagine how she managed to wait until she was 17! It was a perfectly horrid name, and my grandma get's embarrased everytime we remind her about it, and says she can't believe she let my mom's dad name the baby.

Answer 10

Yes you can change your name, but if you want to change your name legally then you have to go to court. My mom did that. And the government would know your original name because it would be in your files, but nobody else would

Answer 11

Yes you can but you have to be 18