Legally changing your name?

[Imagine]

I'm posting here to ask for help obviously.
I don't know where to start. I want to legally change my last name.
Why? Read this.

I really need this done and i don't know where to start.
I just want to get the process going as soon as possible.
I'm 18 and living in California, if that helps any.

Can anyone help me?

[Melody Pond]

I have found this website which is a FAQ on changing you name.
http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp...hangeadult.htm

Which has all the info you should need.
This explains where you need to start and that website has links to all of the forms you need to fill in too.

http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp...angeadult2.htm

How do I Ask the Court to Change my Name?

• Fill out the Petition for Change of Name (Form NC-100), including the Attachment to Petition (Form NC-110) and make 2 copies of each.
• Fill out the Order to Show Cause for Change of Name (Form NC-120) and make 2 copies.
• Some courts require you to fill out local forms to ask for a name change, like a Criminal Background Information Form. Ask your local court if there are local forms you have to fill out.
• Fill out the Civil Case Cover Sheet (Form CSM-010)
• File all your papers with the copies in the court in the county where you live.
• Publish the Order to Show Cause in a newspaper of general circulation once per week for 4 weeks in a row—ask your court for a list of newspapers. Not all newspapers are valid, and the fees they charge are different, so call around.
• Go to your court date and take the proof of publication from the newspaper. You will also need the Decree Changing Name (Form NC-130) for the judge to sign.
• Once you get your Decree Changing Name, get a certified copy from the court. You will need this to change all your legal documents, including your birth certificate, social security card, and other papers like passport

Hope that helps, good luck

[Imagine]

Thanks Rachel.
Are there any laws/guidelines on changing it that you can't do?
Would you be able to add a middle name so it better fits my name?

Sorry for all the questions. xD

[Melody Pond]

The only thing I have found about that is on that site.

http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp...angeadult4.htm

Why Would a Judge Not Let Me Change my Name?

The main reasons why a judge would not agree to change your name are:

If the judge finds that you are changing your name to commit fraud,
If the judge finds that you are changing your name to hide from the law or the police or for some other illegal reason.

If you are on probation or parole, the judge may not agree to change your name, unless your probation or parole officer is aware of your change of name and gives written consent. If you are incarcerated, the Director of Corrections has to give permission to the court to let you change your name.

I think if you explain fully why you want to change yours then there should be no problems.

That site goes for changing your full name. In the form is asks for current name and proposed name so I am sure you can add a middle name if you wanted too when filling out the forms.

[Jocelyn.]

I'd recommend seeing a lawyer. They would know exactly what you need to do and what paperwork you need to fill out.

[iHEAVENn]

Go to your local courthouse. They should have the paperwork you need there.
That's where I went to change my name.
And as far as I know you can change or add a middle name etc. If you have any questions the clerk can answer them for you

[Imagine]

Amy- How much did it cost you?

[Pandamonium]

It depends on the state, in California it runs about $80-100 from what I've seen. Certain areas also require a published record that you've changed your name.

If you're low income, you can have the fee waived.

[BabyIndia]

You can do it all online by deed poll, here in the Uk it costs £20 and they email you the short copy nd then mail you the proper one.

[Alicia.C]

I'm not sure how it works down there, but you should be able to change your last name to your moms last name (or dads, um, step dads) very easily. I wish you the best of luck with everything, and I hope you're doing okay. You're mom was right when she said she was trying to protect you. It might not have been the best way, but it was a way, and she tried her best.

[Pelios]

Assuming you live in California I took the liberty to see what you need and I came across this site http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp...hangeadult.htm
It should answer all of your questions