I have been contemplating changing my last name to my mothers maiden name. How would I begin this? What would this cost me as well? Also not only would I be changing my last name but it would also involve my wife and daughter as well.
You don’t need to go through any official process to start using a new name; you can use whatever name you want as long as it’s not for purposes of fraud.
However, putting your name change on file with the state is useful so you can have proof of your identity should you need it.
Go to the library. Look up the form used by your state. Send the form and the fee to the court clerk.
Honest! Tried and true method.
You can also look for the California Name Change form online, like here, if you want to avoid a trip to the library.
Note that the form, and procedure is different for a minor than an adult.
Warning: a google search on “California Name Change Form” will bring up a whole bunch of hits of slimeball parasites who want to charge you anywhere from $40 to $150 for the “service” of sending you the same form & instructions that you can get at a library (as AcidKid said), or for “form completion services” (I guess they help you fill out the form?) at an even higher price. Don’t get suckered into one of these!
My father changed his name during the depression because he thought it would help him get a job (it didn’t). I was born around the same time and he could have put the new name on birth certificate, but didn’t. But I never used any but the new name and had no records to prove I was the same person. The passport people accepted an affadivit (in 1964; I have my doubts they would do so today). When I went to retire and had to produce a birth certificate, I sent away to the BVS of the great commonwealth of Pennsylvania and asked for it, expecting to get one in my birth name. To my surprise, the said that if I could show I had been using the new name for at least ten years, they would issue it in the new name. So I did; sent them photocopies of several passports as well as college and grad school diplomas. The passport of course showed date and state of birth, thus tying me down. The upshot is that for less than $10 I have effected a legal change of name. Since it cost my brother close to $1000 to do the same using a lawyer and court, he was a bit put out. Of course, he got an official document of the change, which I didn’t, but I cannot see the difference.
Great! Thanks for the info guys. Basically im planning on having another child. I hope to have a boy and if so I do not want him to carry on my last name, which is the last name of my brothers father.
It just doesnt feel right to me to have my child carrying on someone elses heritage.
Out of curiousity what would you do?
I have been planning on using my mothers maiden name. I never knew my father at all. I just can’t see myself using his last name when I am not apart of his family or that name what so ever.
What would you do if you were in this situation?
On a similar note, my parents divorced recently and my mom has been thinking of going back to her maiden name. If she wanted to do so, would she use the same form? (Yes, we’re in CA)
Sorry to hijack the thread away from your question, Kewk, but if anyone could answer this, I’d be much obliged.