How do you go about changing your name?

Method 2 Changing Your Name for Other ReasonsChoose your new name carefully. ... Make sure your new name will be legal. ... Fill out a petition. ... File your petition with your local civil court. ... Pay your filing fee. ... Publish your name change. ... Attend your hearing. ... Get a new social security card and driver's license.More items... read more

Changing your name because of a change in marital status is much easier if you are only changing your last name to your spouse's name or taking your maiden name as a middle name. If you are changing your first or middle name to anything other than your maiden name, you might have to take the traditional route and go through the courts. read more

The most important thing to do to legally change your name is to start using your new name. Introduce yourself using your new name, fill out forms and applications under your new name, tell your family and friends to only refer to you by your new name, and tell your school and/or employer of your new name. read more

At this point, if you are changing your name because of a marriage or divorce, you will simply start transitioning to your new name. If you are in this category, gather your marriage certificate or divorce decree and skip to Part 3. If you are changing your name for any other reason, continue with the complete process. read more