Can Name Change Be Removed from Records

My question involves name change laws in the State of: Iowa

Hi, I recently changed my first name through the courts system to something I prefer. I had a typical "nerd" name and never liked it. Same thing with middle name. I'm wondering if this can somehow be removed from online public record.

I don't have any criminal record, outstanding debt, etc. A few speeding tickets and not one in over 3 years.

My concern is, I have a rare last name, and anyone who searches can see this. I live in a smaller community where people do this sort of thing for fun and I don't want to tell anyone about it. I just want to start using the name I have chosen. I firmly believe that it is my right to keep this matter private and I will share it with those close to me accordingly. My family is also well known in the community, and they would prefer this be off record. It's just something very personal.

I went to such extents as finding a new job, to start over under my new name. When I changed my name, I had planned to make this request to the judge, but I never got to speak with him, The clerk handed him my paperwork, I even told her beforehand to mention it to him, and he said no. I know I could have made a more compelling argument myself. I do feel my rights were violated by not having the opportunity to speak with him. After it was done, I was told to go downstairs so a copy of the name change form could be made for the data system.

I was told when I initially filed I could request to have the documents sealed if I spoke with the judge. Now, anyone who looks me up thinks there must be some odd, possibly bizarre reason I changed my name.

I'm willing to pursue legal counsel as well and spend whatever it may cost. If that works...will that become its own public record? That I removed my name change from record, but not that I initially had my name changed? I am worried about that as well.

Please let me know what my options are. Thank you.

The circumstances under which you can seal a public record are unusual, and would normally be something you would do at the beginning of court proceedings. "I don't want people to be able to figure out that my name, now Joe Green, used to be Giuseppe Verdi" isn't of itself a valid basis for sealing a public record - the records are public in part so people can figure that out.

I don't see a statute or court rule for Iowa that describes when a name change case may be filed under seal- there may be one, but I don't see one. You may want to discuss your options with a local lawyer.

I understand the purpose of the record. In my state, convicted felons cannot change their name, which makes sense. I'm wondering if there is any recourse for someone who does not have any type of record. You change your name, people look it up (especially where I live), and they assume there is some criminal reason for that, most people have no idea the law dictates convicted criminals cannot change their name. Also, because I decided to include my mom's maiden surname on my legal name, and Iowa is a gay marriage state, that may be assumed as well. The main reason I included her name was because I thought it would make it harder to find me, as it is offsetting to my primary last name. Someone now, even on facebook, sees I have two last name, and may look up both in conjunction. Mainly as a diversion. I thought a lot about this and decided this was the best option.

Social security is still the same number, so anyone affiliated with a goverment/credit agency can see that I changed it - but I still firmly believe this should not be public record when it opens the door for someone to be ridiculed - especially living a smaller community.

I think if I actually pushed this far enough with the right attorney, it would have the potential to be a landmark case, but I don't want that kind of publicity for this.

Any other opinions?

Quote:

---

Any other opinions?

---

ya. The records need to remain public so people such as creditors can chase down deadbeats that change their names simply to hide. Same thing for law enforcement agencies looking for criminals.

I'm not disputing that. Social security stays the same as well, creditors will find you eventually. I don't think name change law should be treated as one-size fits all. The public assumes the most bizarre reasons when you do it.

I also specifically said for someone who is neither that category.

So far you haven't given us any valid reason why a court would be interested in sealing your records, even assuming that you can identify a law that would authorize a court to do so.

"If you change your name, people might think you're a criminal"? No more true for you than for anybody else.

"I used my mom's surname in my new name, so people may think I'm gay"? That doesn't make sense.

Quote:

---

Quoting styleguy

---

I'm not disputing that. Social security stays the same as well, creditors will find you eventually. I don't think name change law should be treated as one-size fits all. The public assumes the most bizarre reasons when you do it.

I also specifically said for someone who is neither that category.

---

social security does not have to stay the same. Your number can be changed under certain circumstances. You put that together with people changing their names with a sealed record...

hey, that's sounding like witness protection where the intent is to not be found, at all.

sorry guy, the law is what it is. If you don't agree with it, contact your legislators.

Someone who is so concerned about their privacy would probably change their Facebook settings to make themselves unfindable.

Seriously.

Of course, if s/he chose not to do that...well, whose fault is that if someone connects the dots?

I don't think you guys are getting the point. I understand it is the law - that doesn't mean I can't question or challenge it. The point is, some laws are stupid. Blacks would still be picking cotton if some laws were still in effect.

Seeing another last name on a male in a gay marriage state is going to bring up that consideration. That's really not the main reason for it. People assume you are some sort of criminal and that is why you changed your name. Not exactly something you want. I wanted to do this and I am happy I did. I thought someone here might know a little bit more. Also, my 10 year high school reunion is coming up and I keep in touch with none of those people. If one person looks me up, and finds out, everyone is going to know, and people rarely if ever leave this state. I don't associate with any of them - but that doesn't mean there isn't a chance I won't see them out sometimes and potentially be ridiculed over it. Especially when I was ridiculed over my birth name, some will probably know.

Maybe you can't understand, but it is a very personal issue. Like I said, I would prefer to tell people I deal with in my life accordingly. I think that should be my right, not that hard to understand.

I need to get out of the midwest anyways, and obviously there are no options for having this removed. It is too cold and boring here. Thanks for replies.

You are free to contact your state rep and let him know that you would like the law changed. Of course, in this instance it might also take a constitutional amendment - closing court records can infringe upon freedom of the press.

Complaining to us that you don't like the law? That won't change the law.

Quote:

---

Quoting styleguy

---

Seeing another last name on a male in a gay marriage state is going to bring up that consideration.

---

This is the part that's baffling me.

Seriously.

You're yet to explain your reasoning.

It's uncommon to all of a sudden have an extra last name if you are a male. That's why. Especially, considering I was only known by one last name before the change.

I understand lawmakers can be contacted. This is not something I want to attract extra attention to. I'll contact an attorney who handles these types of things and see if there is some provision that would allow me to make the request, as I was never even allowed to try the first time directly with the judge.

There are people who somehow get real crimes expunged - I'm sure it's worth at least looking into. I also doubt any of you were even qualified to even apply at T14 law school. Thanks again.

Quote:

---

Quoting styleguy

---

There are people who somehow get real crimes expunged - I'm sure it's worth at least looking into. I also doubt any of you were even qualified to even apply at T14 law school. Thanks again.

---

getting a crime expunged is much different than what you are asking.

Since you are considering moving, just change your name and then, when you move, you start fresh with your new name. I surely hope you realize that as Mr. Shakespeare once wrote:

What’s in a name? that which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet;


I suspect it is not the association with the name that is the problem you need to worry about. Your personality will be the same no matter what your name.

and qualified to apply at a t14 school? anybody can apply. It's getting accepted that is the hard part.;)

So, some guy gets arrested for armed robbery, yet somehow gets that expunged because he served his time or had a good lawyer. Still an obvious criminal.

Another guy, he changed his name - but had no record of any sort, does not even have the option to make this petition, yet the other guy does. The law can be rather bizarre.

The guy with an armed robbery has a better change of having that removed from his record than the guy who changed his name. Makes sense, I guess. Either way, it is reported to government/credit agencies. If an employer runs your SSN it will show up I'm sure. Currently, I live in a smaller community where people do this sort of thing (look up their neighbors, co-workers, etc) for entertainment and I would like some privacy regarding it. You do realize, people assume there is an odd unknown reason you changed it, and it's not usually good. In my case, I just didn't like or identify with my birth name.

Let me give an example...neither is my name, but it's a good comparison. Good question for a present-day Shakespeare. Would a boy rather grow up being called, Herman, or Danny? I would choose Danny easily and I think most everyone else would too. There is more to a name than you think. My parents have actually apologized for giving me my birth name, it was something dictated by family tradition that went back over 100 years. I never liked the name, and there was just no way around it. I tried my entire life and I'm a late 20-something now.

It's a very personal choice and I think it is unfortunate the law refuses to realize this. Seems like the only way name changes aren't made public is under Witness Protection. Again, the general public may see a name change, and think you were involved with some shady characters. Like I said, it brings up all these possibilities.

I'm also assuming a civil lawyer would be the best to contact.

Quote:

---

Quoting styleguy

---

I'm also assuming a civil lawyer would be the best to contact.

---

after insulting everybody here you expect to be offered advice? Dream on.

I was insulted first with the expected "if you don't like it - write your congressman" or telling me "the law is the law" BS. To be honest, I actually feared those types of response, then thought to myself, these people should be more educated and I don't expect such ignorance off the bat. I was wrong.

Anyways, it still happened, leading me to question to collective intelligence of those posting in this sub-forum.

You're wrong.

Not the responders.

Why are you still posting if you're so dissatisfied? Surely the only reason you'd do so is to continue bickering?

Quote:

---

Quoting styleguy

---

I was insulted first with the expected "if you don't like it - write your congressman" or telling me "the law is the law" BS. To be honest, I actually feared those types of response, then thought to myself, these people should be more educated and I don't expect such ignorance off the bat. I was wrong.

Anyways, it still happened, leading me to question to collective intelligence of those posting in this sub-forum.

---

the problem is; the law is the law and if you do not like the state of the law, your action would be to write your legislators and seek to have it changed. You acting immature and stamping your feet doesn't change it.

So, if Burger King sells me a whopper, and I'm dissatisfied - I need to write Burger King corporate? That's my only recourse using your rationale. You're right, shouldn't even consider something easier and more efficient.

This is becoming oddly entertaining!

(Yes, I'd like fries with that. Since you're about to ask)

Quote:

---

Quoting styleguy

---

So, if Burger King sells me a whopper, and I'm dissatisfied - I need to write Burger King corporate?

---

"I ordered a Whopper and got... this!"

"That's a Whopper."

"Yes, but it's not what I wanted."

"What did you want?"

"A filet mignon topped with crab Louie, and a side of bearnaise sauce."

"But you ordered a Whopper. And we don't sell filet mignon, crab Louie or bearnaise sauce."

"Whatta I gotta do here? Complain to corporate?"

Quote:

---

Quoting Mr. Knowitall

---

"I ordered a Whopper and got... this!"

"That's a Whopper."

"Yes, but it's not what I wanted."

"What did you want?"

"A filet mignon topped with crab Louie, and a side of bearnaise sauce."

"But you ordered a Whopper. And we don't sell filet mignon, crab Louie or bearnaise sauce."

"Whatta I gotta do here? Complain to corporate?"

---

If this site had a "like" button, I would have just pressed it about a hundred times. I'm just saying.

Are you expecting a message board to miraculously come up with some way you can force the court to seal the record? Really? Because we don't write the laws, nor do we vote on their passage. It doesn't matter how many times you explain your reasons for wanting the record sealed; nor does it matter whether we "get" it or not. The fact remains that the law does not provide a means by which you can force the court to seal the record of your name change. And if light suddenly dawns on Marble Head (as we say in Massachusetts - state joke) and we all cry out in unison, "Ah! Now we understand why he wants the name change sealed, and his cause is just!" it won't matter a hoot because there STILL won't be a law you can invoke that will force the court to do what you want.

The way to get a law changed is to lobby your elected representatives. Not to gripe to a message board that we don't "get it".

BTW, just thought I'd mention - both my father and my brothers have two middle names, the second of which is commonly used as a last name. In fact, it IS a last name - my grandmother's maiden name.

Jes' saying.

Not at all. This thread ended up getting diverted and turned into stupidity. We might as well be talking about professional wrestling at this point. I'm not asking to change any law.

1. I wasn't allowed to even make the request or speak with the judge - the clerk simply took my papers, went to some back room and that was it. When I arrived, I even told her I planned to make this request. I was never given that opportunity.

2. I thought someone would be able to inform me as to whether or not I should even consider spending the money on legal counsel to pursue this.

3. I know I could write some State Legislator, wait a few years for a reply in writing telling me this isn't important enough, can't be done right now, more important issues on the table, etc.

It may be written on the books that everyday citizens have the power to request having a law changed, but that rarely, if ever happens in real life. Telling someone "you don't like it, write your state legislator!" is actually treating that person as if they were some sort of peon. Especially, knowing it won't matter. I think state income tax here has too low of a threshold to pay 9.8%. Lowest in the country to pay such a percent. Does that mean I plan to make some formal request to lower the state income tax? Please, get real and stop with the trite replies. The difference is, the option to have a name change sealed is a possibility with the right reasons, whereas it is impossible to not pay the designated percent in your tax bracket. I think someone making 62K a year, shouldn't be taxed the same percent as someone making 500K a year. Maybe if enough people stood up and said something it would be lowered. Society fears going against the system. The only population gain seen here is via illegal immigration as well. I'm not trying to be some sort of martyr for name change law. I should make that clear.

Some posters may find the reasons I've listed to be amusing, but they are very real to me.

If I knew were to look, it would be interesting to find data showing where one person was able to change a law themselves. Preferably not having to reach back to Jim Crowe days either.

Quote:

---

styleguy;513856]Not at all. This thread ended up getting diverted and turned into stupidity. We might as well be talking about professional wrestling at this point. I'm not asking to change any law.

---

but you are asking for something to happen that has no provisions in law to happen. Due to that, your action is to either give up or try to change the law.

Quote:

---

1. I wasn't allowed to even make the request or speak with the judge - the clerk simply took my papers, went to some back room and that was it. When I arrived, I even told her I planned to make this request. I was never given that opportunity.

---

maybe because the clerk knew a bit more than you did about what you were asking about and knew it just wasn't a possibility.

Quote:

---

2. I thought someone would be able to inform me as to whether or not I should even consider spending the money on legal counsel to pursue this.

---

I figured an intelligent person would be able to understand: the law does not allow for the action you seek therefore, it would be a waste of money to hire a lawyer to attempt such an action.

Quote:

---

3. I know I could write some State Legislator, wait a few years for a reply in writing telling me this isn't important enough, can't be done right now, more important issues on the table, etc.

---

Oh, so your problem is so much more important than other problems you believe you should just jump to the head of the line. Good luck with that. Maybe that is why you are having such a hard time understanding what you are being told here.

Quote:

---

It may be written on the books that everyday citizens have the power to request having a law changed, but that rarely, if ever happens in real life. Telling someone "you don't like it, write your state legislator!" is actually treating that person as if they were some sort of peon.

---

no, it's not. If you had paid attention to your government studies in high school, you would know that that is the proper means to seek a change in a law.

Quote:

---

If I knew were to look, it would be interesting to find data showing where one person was able to change a law themselves.

---

I guess you need gov 101.

laws are drafted by the legislators. They argue about them amongst themselves for awhile and then vote as to pass them or not. They then get sent to the government head (fed= president, state= governor) who either signs them or not.

Now, to go back a step or two; a legislator drafts new legislation when they have reason to believe they have a better way of doing things. Since not all legislators are real smart and can come up with ideas on their own, they rely on their constituents to suggest new laws. That usually comes in the form of some disgruntled citizen belly aching about how poorly they were treated under the current laws and they want something to change (kind of like your situation).

Well, if the legislator agrees, they might actually take the time to do some research and if the legislator believes enough people feel that same way, they might actually draft a bill to propose some changes to the current laws. Of course, if that legislator does not agree with you, you are welcome to vote for his competitor at the next election.

Now, since I know you won't care about that last part because you, due to some entitlement issues, believe that just because you believe it should be, the legislator needs to drop everything and get right on your situation, regardless of the fact that you are the only person to ever contact him/her about this concern. The reality is; S/he has all of their constituents to be concerned about, not just you.

So, what do you do about it so you can find more people that will also contact your legislator and ask the law be changed? You start a campaign where you take this issue to the public forum and try to persuade others to contact your legislator to try to change the law. If enough people express their desire to see the law changed, that would surely move your place in line a few spaces.

Since you do not want any publicity, I guess that means you are stuck with good ol' status quo.

I counted several times when you were told that the law did not provide for what you wanted, and you acknowledged that as far back as the first page. If you really needed someone to add "so you should not bother calling a lawyer about it" before you understood, then I wonder who the clueless one on this thread really is?

Obviously everyone is ignoring the fact I didn't get to make the request to the judge. After I received my name change document, I specifically asked the clerk if I could speak with him, she said no, and it was too late, already moved onto the next person. She ended up talking to him for me about the seal - I wanted to do it myself. Remember, I let her know as soon as I arrived at the courthouse I wanted to make this known to him, myself. Afterwards, I didn't want to start some argument with people around me, but I was very unhappy.

Is that fair? Because some of you dislike me, I'm sure you will say it is. Unlike most posters here and don't sit back and bow down to you because you went to some mid-tier law school.

As for the theoretical-government-studies-yes-you-can-change-the-law, it's basically the same as debating communism vs capitalism on paper for hours on end. We aren't going to find much agreement on that. Any lawmaker would probably consider it frivolous given the bizarre reasoning. Very few people actually change their first names, and the only name change most people know about is a woman taking her husband last's name.

All I was asking is...would the fees to hire an attorney, and have a letter written to the court be practical? Think of it as a formal "motion to seal." If it gets denied it gets denied. Like I said in my original post, I believe I could have made a compelling argument and wasn't allowed to do so.

The world does not revolve around you to the degree that you evidently think it does. I neither know you, nor care to know you, enough to either like or disllike you.

All right, since you are evidently unable to grasp the concept from what has already been said, if it will make you happy I'll answer using the words you insist you must have.

No. The fees to hire an attorney and have a letter written to the court would not be practical and would be a waste of time and money.

Now that someone has phrased the answer in the terms you insist you will not have an answer without, can we please now drop the entire useless subject?

Evidently, I don't think that by any means. I had to stand up against stupid replies, and I did.

By the way, it's "Alright". All right doesn't make sense. I'd be concerned as to whatever law school you may have gotten into. You must have had great El Sat scores.

Quote:

---

Quoting styleguy

---

Evidently, I don't think that by any means. I had to stand up against stupid replies, and I did.

By the way, it's "Alright". All right doesn't make sense. I'd be concerned as to whatever law school you may have gotten into. You must have had great El Sat scores.

---

it's LSAT if that's all right with you.

from Miriam Webster:

Quote:

---

Usage Discussion of ALRIGHT

The one-word spelling alright appeared some 75 years after all right itself had reappeared from a 400-year-long absence. Since the early 20th century some critics have insisted alright is wrong, but it has its defenders and its users. It is less frequent than all right but remains in common use especially in journalistic and business publications. It is quite common in fictional dialogue, and is used occasionally in other writing <the first two years of medical school were alright — Gertrude Stein>.

---

Quote:

---

Quoting jk

---

it's LSAT if that's all right with you.

from Miriam Webster:

---

I'll start cooking some crow for our OP, if that's "all right" with everyone ;)

No, it's really ElSat. I looked it up. It's pronounced that way, so it's the same thing.

Main Entry: LSAT
Pronunciation: "el-"es-"A-'tE, 'el-"sat
Function: abbreviation

Quote:

---

Quoting styleguy

---

No, it's really ElSat. I looked it up. It's pronounced that way, so it's the same thing.

Main Entry: LSAT
Pronunciation: "el-"es-"A-'tE, 'el-"sat
Function: abbreviation

---

LOL ok, probie!

Did you ever miss the point..!

I wasn't ever being serious about that.

Thanks for "all" the replies.

http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com...s-alright.aspx

http://englishplus.com/grammar/00000177.htm

I'm a bit worried about the elementary school you went to!

Enough with the semantics. "Alright' is obviously the more common spelling, and it's well accepted. "All right" can be used too, as "all" and "right" are proper, standalone words. It still looks goofy. Should just start using "for naught", instead of "for nothing". I've had these arguments before, someone uses an archaic way of phrasing trying to sound smarter than you. Then, gets mad when that is pointed out. You'd have to read Shakesperean-era prose to find your version in common usage.


al·right
   /ɔlˈraɪt/ Show Spelled[awl-rahyt] Show IPA
–adverb
all right.
Use alright in a Sentence
See images of alright
Search alright on the Web
—Can be confused:  all right, alright (see usage note at the current entry ).

—Usage note
The form alright as a one-word spelling of the phrase all right in all of its senses probably arose by analogy with such words as already and altogether. Although alright is a common spelling in written dialogue and in other types of informal writing, all right is used in more formal, edited writing.

Writing on a message board is not quite the same as writing on behalf of Buckingham Palace.

And yet, you're still gracing us with your presence!

How 'bout that!

to be honest, I usually use alright more than I do all right but the thing is; I don't chastise others for using one form or the other as they are both legitimate and proper terms.

No, jk, you're not getting it.

He really, truly thought that the only proper usage was "alright" and since he didn't get the answer he wanted, he decided to make himself look like a big shot by correcting someone else.

Then he found out that he was wrong and had been wrong in public on the internet for all the world to see.

So now he's backpedaling.