How difficult is it to change one's name?

[Keith & Xiang 0]

My fiancee and our daughter would like to legally change their name once they get to the United States. Does anyone know what's involved with changing one's name and also could this be done prior to the wedding?

Thanks

[noura 0]

Hi, I really don't know for sure, but I am only speaking from my experience of having changed my name 2x now. I was married before and now have resumed using my maiden name. I think it is fairly simple and must go thru the "Clerk of Court" or Records .... can't quite remember. There might be a nominal fee involved, every state is different. I don't believe she can take your name until you're married tho. You will need to provide the documentation (marriage certificate). As for just generally changing your name, that can be done by filling out papers and paying a fee- my mom did this to legally change her name from her birth name to the name she's gone by all her life..... hahahaha - she changed from "Mary Ann" to "Pete" b/c she never liked Mary Ann and refused to go by it.... go figure, at 2 yrs old she decided she was "Pete"! And just to add another dimension to it all, my dad's name is Carol

Good luck, I hope this helped a little....

Noura

[zyggy 9]

My fiancee and our daughter would like to legally change their name once they get to the United States. Does anyone know what's involved with changing one's name and also could this be done prior to the wedding?

Thanks

That depends...

There are a few issues at stake..

If your fiancee just wishes to change her last name to yours after marriage, the marriage certificate is all that will be required. If she wishes to change her first name as well, she will have to obtain a court order.

That same goes for the daughter. However, most courts require that the birth father also consent to the name change if the child is under 18. Something that may not be so easy to get. ANother route is if you adopt the child, the adoption decree allows for a change of name. A lawyer will most likely be required to make this happen...

However, you may also change your name once you are naturalized. This may be a better and easier process to go through a name change, but it'll take another 3 years to do so..

Edited May 1, 2006 by zyggy

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

My fiancee and our daughter would like to legally change their name once they get to the United States. Does anyone know what's involved with changing one's name and also could this be done prior to the wedding?

Thanks

to your last name? or are you talking their first name?

[Redsunset52 0]

http://candleforlove.com/forums/index.php this website has some good info on what you are asking

[pedroh 21]

i changed mine to Pedro Wolfgang

[almaty 19]

i changed mine to Pedro Wolfgang

i changed mine to dean dogg