What is the Process to Legally Change my Name?
There may be any number of reasons why a person would want to change their name. Besides the obvious reasons of marriage and adoption, which generally include a legal name change, people may change their name to disassociate from something negative or infamous, or may simply wish to give themselves a name that is more useable. Whatever the reason, obtaining a legal name change varies depending on where you live, but is fairly easy to accomplish. In the United States, a legal name change can be obtained through a court order. Though the specific process may vary slightly from state to state, any US citizen has the right to change their name through either common law or court procedure. Though a person may change their name at will and operate a business, write a book, or even sue someone under a different name, it is generally legally recognized so long as there was no fraudulent intent involved.
