A Petition for Alter of Name must be submitted to the superior court in order for an adult resident of California to change their given name. Following the submission of the petition, the court will set a hearing date that is anywhere from six (6) to twelve (12) weeks in the future.
How do I legally change my name in California?
- In order to change your name legally in California (or anywhere else in the United States), you will need to complete the following four steps: submit an application for a marriage license or a court order; inform the Social Security Administration of your new name; get a new state identification card; and update your passport.
- Do you think that’s a lot?
- Thankfully, there is a service called HitchSwitch that can let you change your name, which makes the transaction a lot less complicated.
When did name change laws go into effect in California?
Prepare yourself to download, print, and send in the name change forms that were automatically filled up in PDF format. The marriage name change rules in California are governed by the Name Equality Act of 2007, which is a PDF document that is 310 KB in size. It became mandatory for marriage licenses that were issued on or after January 1, 2009 under the new law.
Can I change my middle name after marriage in California?
The California Name Equality Act of 2007 (external link to pdf) allows any party to a marriage to alter either their middle name or their last name, and it does not matter which name is changed first. Therefore, you have the option to modify merely your middle name while maintaining your original last name.
What do you need to know about a change of name?
- Before they will agree to alter your identification and other essential documents, all government agencies, schools, financial institutions, and private groups require a Decree Changing Name (also known as a Court Order) as proof that your name has been legally changed.
- In the state of California, altering just your surname is far more frequent than changing any other component of your full name.
How much does it cost to change your last name in California?
- You will be required to make payment of the California state Filing fee when you submit the petition documents to change your name.
- In the state of California, the fee to file the necessary paperwork to change your name is $435.
- However, there are a few courts that charge more (up to $480), and there is no court in California that charges less than $435 to submit a petition for a change of name.
Can you legally change your last name in California?
- It is important to take note that in the state of California, you normally have the legal right to change your name merely by using the new name in all parts of your life.
- This practice is referred to as the ″usage method.″ However, with very few exceptions, government entities want a court order as formal proof of a name change; hence, obtaining a court order is the most effective means to alter one’s name.
How long does it take to change your last name in California?
Make a request to have your name changed. It is possible that you may have to wait up to three months for the courts to process your request to change your name once you have submitted the necessary documents. You have the option of downloading or filling out your paperwork online. There is a possibility that you may additionally need to submit papers for the court in your area.
Is changing last name California free?
- You will be required to make payment of the California state filing fee when you submit the paperwork necessary to change your name.
- The fee to alter one’s name in California is $435.
- Depending on the county that you are located in, you may also be required to pay an additional, nominal fee.
- If you are unable to pay the filing fee, you might consider submitting an application for a fee waiver.
Can I legally change my last name?
Changing one’s family name There is nothing in the law that prevents you from changing your last name at any point, just like there is nothing that prevents you from changing your first name as long as you do not have any fraudulent (or other illegal) motive. You are free to adopt a surname of your choosing, either in addition to or in place of the surname you now use.
What documents do I need to change my name?
- In addition to that, please bring the following documents with you: Your current and valid passport, as well as a certified copy of your birth certificate, are both acceptable forms of proof of citizenship
- A notarized copy of your marriage license might serve as evidence that your name has been changed.
- Your name and date of birth or age, as well as a current image, need to be displayed on the document that serves as your proof of identification
Do I need a lawyer to change my name in California?
Contacting a local attorney with a law company who can provide you with legal counsel and guide you through the process of changing your name in California is a good idea if your circumstance is unusual or if you have further questions regarding the procedure.
Do you need a reason to change your name?
You only need to have a valid cause for doing what you’re doing. It is possible to change your name for any reason, as long as it does not involve breaking the law, and you do not need a lawyer to accomplish it.
How difficult is it to change your name?
- Changing your name is not a difficult procedure, but it does need a lot of work on your part to make the change official.
- To properly change your name, you will need to complete a number of procedures, some of which may be time-consuming at times.
- When you want to change your name in public settings, all you have to do is identify yourself with the new name you want to use.
- Changing your name is a simple process.
Can I change my last name without getting married?
It is perfectly legal for either one of you or both of you to change your last name to coincide with that of your partner in order to give the impression that you are a married couple even if you do not intend to get married or enter into a civil partnership. This can be done in lieu of getting married or entering into a civil partnership.
How do I change my name on my Social Security card in California?
- To update your name on your card, you must provide us paperwork showing your legal name change and identification.
- You are also need to present a document to us that verifies your citizenship in the United States, if such information is not already included in our files.
- You are required to produce either the original papers or copies that have been certified by the organization that issued the documents.
How do I change my name on my birth certificate in California?
How to Alter Both Your Name and Your Gender: A Step-by-Step Guide
- Fill out your court forms.
- Check that your forms are correct.
- Create a single duplicate of each of your forms
- Put your forms in the clerk of the court’s file.
- Attend your court hearing, if one is scheduled for you
- The court will issue a decree allowing you to change both your name and your gender.
- Modifying your copy of your birth certificate
How long does it take to change your name?
Changing your name is not something that can be accomplished quickly; rather, it calls for methodical planning and compliance with a variety of challenging pre- and post-gazette publishing requirements. Depending on how long it takes to get your name changed published in the gazette, it might be anywhere from four to eight weeks.
Is newly named Worth It?
A. Without a doubt, it was well worth every penny! A extremely challenging and life-altering endeavor is simplified, along with the associated stress and uncertainty, by using Newly Named (hello, your entire identity). You won’t need to waste time researching, printing, speculating, or second-guessing yourself because everything is laid out clearly and structured for you to follow.