Guide to Name Change

What is a Name Change?

A legal name change is a procedure that is available to an individual in the event that wish to change or modify the name, which they had been given at birth – this is known as an individual’s ‘birth name’.

However, in order discover how to change your name, you will be required to provide the applicable, jurisdictional governing body with the proper forms and pertinent documents; the legal parameters that surround a name change vary on a locational and jurisdictional basis – there does not exist a uniform procedure with regard to a name change.

What is a Legal Name?

A legal name – or birth name – is the name or title given to an individual upon the moment of their respective birth. Largely, an individual’s legal name – in addition to proof of birth – is expressed on a document called a birth certificate; a birth certificate is an authenticated portrayal of the legal naming of an individual – birth certificates are considered to be one of the primary forms of identification.
As a result, the validity of a birth certificate – in addition to the legal name belonging to an individual – is of the utmost importance in the establishment of that individual in accordance to that society’s legislation. Once an individual is given a legal name, that name will be associated with all official documentations and forms; this can include:

• Credit Cards and additional financial statements
• Personal Tax identification
• Social Security Numbers
• Military Identification
• Voter Registration
• Educational and Employment Identification
• Criminal – and additional administrative - Records

Applicable Name Change Forms

The following forms are typically included within the name change procedure. In the event that you are interested in discovering how to change your name, the following forms may be required:

Deed Poll: A deed poll is a legal instrument that can be classified used to bind a single individual to the terms expressed within its contents in lieu of a contractual agreement between two or more individuals or parties; a deed poll substantiates that the name change is legally-binding and authenticated.

Name Change Order: This is a legal document that can be classified as an application to participate in a name change.

Expressed Legal Permission: In certain cases, an individual will be required to receive expressed, legal permission in order to engage in the legal name change procedure. This can occur as a result of the desire of a jurisdictional, governing body to prevent name changes for fraudulent purposes.

Marriage Certificate: In the event of a marriage, an individual may be able to change their name simply by filing for a legal name change with a marriage certificate serving as legal substantiation.

Service of Notification: An individual wishing to change their respective name who are not a citizen of a country or nation, in which they reside, possesses a past criminal record or has been incarcerated, is on probation, or a professional whose name change must be further substantiated may be required to complete this form of notification.

How to Change Your Name

Once you have obtained the necessary forms and documentation with regard to how to change your name, you are encouraged to make copies of all pertinent documentation and forms for your personal records. Furthermore, a name change must be officiated; this means that simply submitting paperwork will not suffice as expressed, legal permission – only upon notification from a jurisdictional, governing body will suffice as authentication for such a request.

Upon the Approval of a Name Change

Upon the approval of a name change, you may be required to take out an advertisement in your local newspaper or circular alerting the public – or those around you – of your recent name change; this can be required in order to prevent name changes under fraudulent pretenses. Subsequent to the approval, you will receive official documentation illustrating the successful, legal name change.

NEXT: Name Change after Marriage