Changing Your Last Name Legally

It was John's first day at his new job. He was busy working, when his boss came by and noticed him. Seeing he was a new employee, he asked John to meet him inside his cabin. "What is your name?" was the first question the boss asked him. "It's John, Sir", was John's reply. The boss angrily replied, "Listen John, I don't know what sort of shoddy place you've worked at before, but I DO NOT address any of my employees by their first names. It breeds familiarity and gives out wrong signals. So hereafter, when I say 'name', it means your last name. Is that understood?" John nodded reluctantly. "So once again, what is your name?", the boss thundered. John rolled his eyes and sighed, "Darling...It's John Darling, Sir". Without batting an eyelid, the boss replied, "Okay John, the next thing I want to tell you is..."

I bet you've heard this joke before. And for those of you who have just been introduced to it, I'm sure by now you've realized the kind of embarrassment that an embarrassing last name can bring. There are many situations (in addition to the above) where taking up a new last name does become necessary, and at times, inevitable. So how do you legally change your last name? What is the procedure that you should follow? Do you need any legal advice? Let us have a look at the answers to these questions.

How to Change Your Last Name Legally
So if you are someone who wishes to change his last name legally on account of marriage, divorce, or if you're simply too embarrassed to remain a 'Dickensheets', a 'Winterbottom', a 'Broomhead' or a 'Focker', here is how you should go about it. Different aspects of legally changing the name are taken into account through the subsequent paragraphs.

Procedure

1. The name change procedure often varies, depending on where you reside. Most of the basic steps are generally the same, however, there are certain requirements and regulations laid down by individual states or district civic authorities, that are specifically applicable to residents of those states or districts.
2. The first thing you should do is get hold of a name change form. You can obtain this form through a recognized website specializing in legal documents, or else you can get it from your local courthouse.
3. Enter all the relevant details in the form along with the new last name that you have chosen. Make sure you spell it correctly so that it reduces hassles in the procedure!
4. There are certain dos and don'ts when it comes to selecting a new name. It is unethical and sometimes illegal to pick a celebrity's name, a controversial name, or name that could portray either race or religion in a wrongful manner. Such names are often disallowed, so you should also keep this in mind while selecting a last name. Almost all the states in USA don't allow such kind of name change.
5. Once you have filled up the name change form, you must submit that at the courthouse, after which you receive a receipt for your name change application. Your change of name becomes valid only after your application is reviewed and approved through a court order.
6. Once that happens, you are expected to formally announce the name change through a public medium such as newspaper or local community newsletter. In case there are copyright issues or any other issues regarding your new name, they need to be settled by concerned parties within the court or through an out-of-court settlement. Only after that, you are granted a final approval for your new name.
7. The next thing to do is making a list of documents which you need to update with your new name. Typically, these documents will include the driving license, social security card, passport, marriage certificate, credit cards, bank documents, workplace identity cards, etc. You should acquire separate name change forms for each of these documents. Enter all relevant details and submit them to the concerned departments.
8. Last but not the least, inform all your friends, relatives, acquaintances, colleagues and everyone else in your contact list about the change of name.

Changing your surname legally is usually not that complicated. It is generally a hassle-free process (as long as you do it for the right reasons). However, if you find it too much to handle, you could always take help of an attorney who would guide you through the entire process.