Legal Name Change: How To Change Your Name

If you are unable to hire an attorney, you should read the law yourself so you understand what you must prove in order to have your legal name change granted. The laws governing legal name changes can be found in Chapter 45 of the Texas Family Code

There are several requirements that must be met before your legal name change will be granted by a court, all of which are outlined in the Texas Family Code. If you have been convicted of a crime higher than a Class C Misdemeanor, there are even more requirements that must be met in order for a court to grant your legal name change.

If you are representing yourself, you will need to obtain the documents to have your legal name change granted by a court. You will need an Original Petition for Change of Name. These are your "pleadings" that tell the court what you are asking for. You will also need to either have your Original Petition for Change of Name "verified," or sworn to before a notary public, or you will need to have an Affidavit of Person Requesting Change of Name to file with the court along with your pleadings. Finally, you will need a Final Order of Change of Name.

There are many websites that are readily available to provide name change forms. Also, many local courthouses provide the forms you need for your legal name change. There are even some attorneys that will provide name change forms created specifically for you at a low cost. Whatever route you choose, be sure that the name change forms you are using are reliable and legally valid.

Once you have all of your name change forms, you will take your verified Petition for Change of Name or Petition for Change of Name and Affidavit of Person Requesting Change of Name to either the District or County Clerk's Office in the county where you live. Check your county's website to find out which court(s) hear legal name change cases so you know where to file your Petition.

After you have filed your pleadings, you will need to testify before a judge in order to have your legal name change granted. The court will want to know why you are requesting to change your name legally. The court will also want to make sure that you are not requesting the name change to avoid any sort of criminal prosecution or to avoid creditors. If the court is satisfied that your name change is in your interest and the interest of the public, the judge will grant your legal name change and sign your order.

Once the judge signs your Order Granting Change of Name, you will want to get at least two certified copies from the court clerks. Most governmental agencies, such as the Social Security Administration, will require a certified copy of your order proving your legal name change before they will change your record.

Although having an attorney represent you in order to change your name legally is the best option, it is possible to represent yourself and still get the same result- a legal name change.