It seems there are various levels of alias names people use, some legal, some not. I know I guy named Richard that goes by the name Rick, but I am sure all his legal dealings have him identified as Richard. Then there are the Asian immigrants I know, many of them have changed their first name to something American sounding. Then of course there are people in the entertainment industry that change their names, John Wayne was really Marrion Morrison.
So can anybody use whatever name they like in public but be legally known as someone else? Where do they draw the line?
And then probably the most common instance is when someone changes their last name after getting married. Basically, as long as you’re not using your new name to defraud anyone, it’s all legal.
So let’s say I call myself John Smith, but my real name is Yorick Gladtohaveknownyou. Can I have legal documents written using John Smith (AKA Mr. Yorick Gladtohaveknownyou)? Is that how it would appear in the document? Also, how about the IRS? Can I get a job and use John Smith on my W-4 and at the end of the year file as John Smith (AKA Mr. Yorick Gladtohaveknownyou)?
Depends on the law of the place where you live, and I’ve no idea how the laws of Electric Ladyland are set up. A fairly common arrangement is that you can have as many names/variations on names as you like, provided you are not using them to defraud. If you’re commonly known as John Smith, then you can conduct your affairs under the name of John Smith, and it’s not necessary to say that you used to be called/sometimes go by Yorick Gladtohaveknownyou, unless you want to, or it’s necessary to ensure that the document concerns accurately reflects what is happening - e.g. if you are executing a document which is supplementary to a document which you previously executed under the name Yorick Gladtohaveknownyou.
If you’re using a name which differs from the name on your birth cert, passport, or whatever, you may find that people are reluctant to deal with you under your new name unless they get some documentary evidence that John Smith and Yorick Gladtohaveknownyou are the same person. But that’s just evidence of a change of name; the actual change is effected simply by your using, and being known as, John Smith. Even if you never execute any kind of formal declaration or registration saying that you wish to be known as John Smith, if you commonly go by John Smith then that is your name. And if, in some hypothetical court proceedings, you are asked “are you John Smith?” and you answer “no”, that’s perjury. You are indeed John Smith.