Name Change

Reasons someone might want to change their name.

Changing your name is a personal choice that many people make every year. A person may simply not like their name or might prefer a different spelling of their name. You might choose to change your name to match your significant other’s last name or to hyphenate with your significant other’s last name. Another reason to change a name is to correct a missing name change in your divorce. When clients divorce, often times they do not want to change their last name because they want to have the same last name of their children. However, years down the road, a person might change their mind and decide they do want their maiden name returns or a different name entirely. Can you just decide to be a Kennedy? Yes, you can!

Can I change my name?

Yes, you can petition to have a legal court order changing your name that can be used to change your name on your driver’s license and social security card.

Can I change my name to any name I want? Yes, as long as the purpose of the name change is not to defraud. People have very personal reasons for wanting a name change ranging from honoring a loved one to having a name that matches their gender identity better than their given name. As an example, I’ve had a name change client who wanted the last name of their father instead of the name of a person who was not their father. On the other hand, a client had his name changed to match the name of his step-father.

Adult Name Change

For adults, a name change is typically granted for any reason (other than defrauding creditors). Some of the more common reasons for name changes in Georgia include: marriage, divorce, adoption, and a change in religious affiliation.

Adult name changes only need to be requested by the adult wishing to have their name changed. However, if you are a minor child seeking a name change, you will need to have your parent or guardian file the name change petition on your behalf. Our experienced lawyers at Lynn Law Firm can help guide you through the process and answer any questions you may have along the way. Contact us today to learn more about name changes in Georgia.

Common reasons for adult name changes:

• marriage or divorce
• prefer different spelling
• better gender identity match
• documentation error
• name change due to religious affiliation

Minor Name Change

Changing the name of a minor child is very similar to changing the name of an adult. The main difference is that a minor child cannot file for their own name change, so the parent or guardian must file on their behalf. In most cases, the name change will also need to be approved by the other parent.

Common reasons for minor name changes:

• the adoption of the child
• the name is too long or difficult to pronounce
• the name is associated with a bad experience or meaning
• the name is spelled incorrectly
• they have been using a different name than what is on their birth certificate

It is also possible to change your name so that you and your spouse both share a hyphenated last time. When you have a legal name change, you can update your passport, driver’s license, and your social security card. Some may find that the name on their driver’s license does not match the name on their social security card. You may need a legal name change to make sure those documents match.

In a divorce, it is common for the wife to ask for her name to be changed back to her maiden name or any previous name in the divorce decree. The name change process in Georgia is relatively simple and can usually be completed within a few weeks.

If you are considering a name change in Georgia, it is important to seek the advice of an experienced lawyer. Allow Lynn Law Firm to guide you through the process from start to finish. To learn more about the name change process in Georgia, contact Lynn Law Firm in Gwinnett County, Georgia at 770-212-9090 for a consultation.