Name Change
The process of changing your name can be time consuming with the amount of paperwork required. Whether you have legally changed your name due to marriage, divorce, family or court order, Family Legal Filings provides information on the process, paperwork and government agencies you will need to visit to make your name change official.
Married Name Change
After the wedding bells stop ringing, it is time to legally take your married name. Whether you are taking your spouse’s last name or hyphenating your last name, you will need to follow the married name change process. The marriage name change process is straightforward. With a certified copy of your marriage certificate, you will need to go to various agencies to have your maiden name legally changed to your married name.
Read more about the marriage name change process here.
Divorce Name Change
The legal process of getting a divorce can be time consuming and draining. After getting a divorce, you may want to change your name back to your maiden name. The judge must list your desired name change directly on the final divorce decree. This will allow you to change your name by showing the final divorce decree as proof that you are legally able to assume your maiden name. If your divorce decree does not specify that you will be changing your name, you will need to go through the process of a legal name change.
Read more about the divorce name change process here.
Legal Name Change
If you are not changing your name due to a traditional married or divorce name change procedure, you will need to go through the legal name change process. The legal name change process varies depending upon your state but usually begins by petitioning the court for your desired name change. The process for a legal name change can take a couple of months and often requires sufficient Notice delivered to relevant parties or published in a local newspaper. If you are hoping to change your first name, a legal name change is your only option. The legal name change process also applies for couples who are hoping to take an alternative last name when getting married and for parents hoping to change their minor child’s name.
Read more about the legal name change process here.
Minor Child Name Change
If you would like to change the name of your minor child, you will need to go through the official legal minor name change process. The legal minor name change process varies by state. Once you’ve decided what you want his/her new name to be the process begins by petitioning the court with the desired name change for your minor child. This process can take a couple of months and often requires sufficient notice delivered to relevant parties or published in a local newspaper. The legal process for changing the name of your minor child requires that you submit various forms and follow certain procedures so that you can make the change official. Our goal is to help you change your child’s name as quickly and painlessly as possible so that you can focus on the more pressing priorities in your life. Please note that changing a minor’s name is not the same as adoption.
Read more about the legal minor name change process here.
Family Name Change
The family name change process serves people interested in changing the legal name of multiple people in their family. If you are seeking a legal name change for more than one child or yourself and your children, you will want to petition the court for your family’s legal name change. Some states allow you to submit one form for your whole family, while other states require you to fill out a form for each person but require only one hearing. It is important to follow the family name change requirements in your state when seeking to change the legal name of multiple family members.
Read more about the family name change process here.
