No matter the reason—gender transition, marriage, divorce, or other personal reasons—changing your name can prove to be a pivotal moment of transformation. The reasons behind wanting to change your name can be related to a significant change in their lives or can be another way of affirming one’s identity and public perception. Someone may also want to change their name in order to assimilate better into their new country, or because they find their name unpleasant either aesthetically or because of its meaning.
Regardless of the reason, there are a series of steps that must be taken in order to change your name.
WHY WOULD YOU CHANGE YOUR NAME?
People sometimes choose to legally change their name after a major life transition, which can serve as a springboard to transition to a new chapter in their lives.
In the traditional framework of marriage, for example, a woman was historically expected to take her husband’s last name as a symbol of joining her new family. Nearly 80% of couples who change their names after marriage choose to adopt their partner’s last name, according to a recent study. Following the legalization of same-sex marriage in the United States in 2015, this choice also became available to same-sex couples, who may choose to adopt their spouse’s last name or hyphenate their surnames as a sign of unity.
Of course, if a couple gets divorced, one or both partners can choose to revert to their original unmarried (or maiden) surname. This not only provides a symbolic return to their life prior to their marriage, but also provides a sense of permanent separation and thus closure, especially if the relationship ended badly.
People often change their names because they find them unappealing or because its association has changed. This is usually born from some desire to reclaim a part of their identity that is not aligned with the way they perceive themselves, or to make themselves more marketable for artistic or societal reasons. The list of celebrities who have done so are endless: the actor Kirk Douglas (né Issur Danielovitch), the singer John Legend (né John Roger Stephens), and the legendary Marilyn Monroe (née Norma Jeane Baker) all changed their names to shape their public personas.
For individuals who identify as transgender or genderqueer, legally changing their name is an essential part of their gender-affirming journey, which is often paired with other aspects of their transition process, which may also hormone therapy and surgical intervention.
Being identified and associated to a chosen name that more closely aligns with a transgender person’s identity can prove to be a powerful step toward improved mental health. In 2023, California introduced a streamlined process for gender-affirming name changes, reducing the wait time for approval by half in many cases. Having documentation that reflects their true identity can greatly enhance their well-being and even reduce instances of discrimination.
HOW TO LEGALLY CHANGE YOUR NAME
Because everything we do—work, study, shop, socialize, travel, etc.—is linked inextricably to our names, the legal process of changing your name can vary depending on where you live. But though the individual steps can vary, the process is generally very similar.
First, you’ll have to file a petition with the appropriate court that has jurisdiction in your area. You’ll have to provide basic personal information, including your current name, your desired name, and the reasons you want to change it. There will likely also be a processing fee involved, the amount of which depends on where you live.
Moreover, in some states, for example in California, you might also be required to attend a court hearing where the judge in question will review your request and might ask you questions about your proposed name change. The judge will then sign the order and provide you with a certified copy which has the same validity as the original.
Once your name change has been approved by the judge and you have received your document, you can now proceed to notify the relevant government entities about your name change, including the Social Security Administration, Internal Revenue Service, and the Department of Motor Vehicles, among others.
NEW NAME, NEW BEGINNING
While it’s true that changing your name can herald in a new beginning, you should also bear in mind the different complexities and legal problems that may arise. For this reason it is advisable that you seek the advice of an attorney to make sure that you navigate all the ins-and-outs of a legal name change correctly to avoid any potential obstacles.
It’s also important to be aware of the legwork required when you legally change your name. Not only will you have to notify the appropriate government agencies, but you will also have to update your financial records, degrees, vaccination records, employment files, etc. Social media may also need to be updated, which may have some unexpected consequences.
While changing your name can be one of the biggest choices you can make as an individual, making sure you’re staying consistent from a legal and personal standpoint will also help you avoid any potential confusion.