Is it OK to want to change your name?

People choose to change their legal names for an array of reasons and, sometimes, for no reason as all. It's perfectly legal unless it is for fraudulent or deceptive purposes.

Can you change your name as much as you want?

You can generally change your name to anything you want, but you must also follow your state's guidelines and restrictions. For example, you may not do any of the following: change your name to commit a crime or defraud a person.

Is it awkward to change your name?

With the exception of a few rare cases, asking to go by a new name is not a big ask and is not that difficult for most people. Women have been changing their last names for ages through marriage. Many people go through a name change from childhood to adulthood, such as Barry to Barack Obama, for example.

What age should you change your name?

You must be 18 years of age or older. The court must find that the requested name change is proper and not detrimental to the interests of any other person. A person is not allowed to change their name in order to avoid judgments or legal actions against him or her, or to avoid debts and obligations.

Are there any cons to changing your name?

Con: It's not free

It needs to get notarized. If your name change is the result of a divorce or a marriage, you may need additional documentation. It's not prohibitively expensive — court fees may be a few hundred dollars — but it does cost money. This is only something you want to do if you're serious about it.

People Share Why They Changed Their Name

Are name changes hard?

It's a long process.

While a legal document such as a marriage certificate or court granted petition will allow you to change your name, it won't be truly official until you've submitted name change applications with the Social Security Administration, the DMV, and other relevant institutions.

Why you should keep your last name?

It keeps your professional identity consistent

Now, it's by no means insurmountable, but if you feel proud of what you have built up under one name and feel that your name is firmly secured in your field, it may be easier to keep your last name and keep growing your business and your brand under the same title.

Can I change my name in my 20s?

An adult person can change their legal name or a minor's legal name in India by following a certain procedure. This article throws light on the entire process. Anybody can change their name legally in India. For oneself, the age to change the legal name is 18 years or above.

How many times can a person change their name?

There is no real limit on the number of times one may do this.

How can I change my name permanently?

You can legally change your name by filing papers in court. If a judge agrees, they will give you a court order that states your new legal name. You need this order to change your name on identity documents, like your driver's license, passport, or social security card.

What to do if I don't like my name?

If you do not like your name because you feel it is boring or old-fashioned, try getting your friends to call you by a nickname. You can also go by a nickname. There are nicknames abound for "time tested" names.

Who should I tell if I change my name?

Why I don't want to change my name?

Personally, I won't change my name because It was given by my parents and it has beautiful meaning. I realized when I grew up my name represents myself and my personality a lot. It belives that name is wishes of the parents. So, it's so important for parents to give good names to their babies.

Do a lot of people change their name?

No one keeps a tally of how many people change their names each year, said Bruce Lansky, author of several books about names, including "100,000+ Baby Names," though he estimates it's about 50,000 a year. Marriage and divorce are the most common reasons for name changes.

How do I choose a new name?

Is it OK to change your name multiple times?

There is no limit on the amount of times you can legally change your name. Moreover, the question is not the number of times a name has been changed, the issue is whether or not it is being done for fraudulent reasons. That is why a background check must be completed before every name change.

What state is the easiest to change your name?

Easiest States To Change Your Name

Because of Full Service, by EZ Name Change, California, Georgia and Illinois are considered among the easiest and surest ways to get a name legally changed.

How long does it take to change name on passport?

How long does a passport name change take? After submitting your application, it typically 4-6 weeks for routine service and 2-3 weeks for expedited service. To learn more about current processing times for U.S. Passports, visit travel.state.gov.

How long do you have to change your name on your passport after getting married?

If your current passport was issued less than one year ago and you consequently got married/divorced, you may apply for a passport in your new name by using Form DS-5504. There will be no charge for routine processing such an application.

Can I change my name personally but not professionally?

Principle #4. You do not have to change your name professionally when your name changes legally. I changed my legal name in the middle of the academic year. Doing so was part of reclaiming myself after a divorce, and that part felt great.

Can I change my 13 year olds first name?

Who can change a child's name. A child's name can be legally changed by anyone with parental responsibility for the child.

Do I really need a last name?

Police won't arrest you for not having a name. But you can't legally identify yourself without one, which would make things difficult for you. For instance, you need a legal name on a birth certificate or social security card to obtain a driver's license or passport, open a bank account and get a job.

Can your last name affect your life?

While we think that this fact may be pure coincidence, recent studies found that our names have the potential to influence our behavior, physical appearance, career path and life choices, popularity, and how others perceive us. Besides, even our surname may reveal something about our physique and vitality.

What last name is used the most?

The most common surname in the United States is Smith. Actually, the most common surname in just about every English-speaking country is Smith. As you may already suspect, the last name “Smith” refers to the blacksmith trade.