American Living Outside of U.S. Wants to Petition for Name Change Wih a U.S. Court

I am a U.S. Citizen born in the U.S. But I live overseas and no longer have a residence in the U.S. I have not lived there in decades. I am an adult and have never liked my middle name. I prefer to use just my first and last name. My State of birth said a court order from an American court would be required. My questions are:

a) In which city, county or state would I petition to drop my middle name?

b) Is it possible to do this without having to return to the U.S. to appear in court? I live on the other side of the world and the time and expense would be a big inconvenience.

c) If it is not possible, then could I use a stand in? Could it be a lawyer? Family member?

a. The one in which you are domiciled after you return to the United States.

b. You are free to research the laws of every U.S. jurisdiction in the hope that you will find one that does not require you to be domiciled in the state to file a name change petition and will also allow you to prosecute your petition without ever appearing in court.

c. See (b).

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Quoting Mr. Knowitall

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a. The one in which you are domiciled after you return to the United States.

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But I never plan to return, so I will never be domiciled in a U.S. state.

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Quoting Mr. Knowitall

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b. You are free to research the laws of every U.S. jurisdiction in the hope that you will find one that does not require you to be domiciled in the state to file a name change petition and will also allow you to prosecute your petition without ever appearing in court.

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Well, uh, actually, since you already know it all, I was kinda hoping you could tell me and save me some time. Or, is this a cute way of saying there ain't no such court.

Thanks for your help.

Is there a reason you can't just stop using your middle name? The only time I've needed mine as an adult was when applying for government jobs which required a thorough vetting. Private sector jobs don't seem to care about them at all.

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Quoting free9man

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Is there a reason you can't just stop using your middle name? The only time I've needed mine as an adult was when applying for government jobs which required a thorough vetting. Private sector jobs don't seem to care about them at all.

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In your country this is true. But the country I live in requires that I use my middle name on everything! Since my passport is based on my BC, it has my middle name. Everything in turn is based on my passport. Drivers License, bank accounts, health insurance, hospital and clinic cards, pharmacies - even my cell phone! A middle name is personal and I hate being made to use it on everything! Imagine going to a hospital and having your FULL NAME being called in front of everyone. I hate it!!

And now, I have to deal with the bureaucracy of my own country. The court in the county I was born in said I have to be a resident. I have not live in the U.S. for decades. I might as well be living on the moon.

You could always try contacting a Lunar-based attorney.

Does anyone know of an American court or jurisdiction that is not so hardline on regulations? In Nevada perhaps? Hawaii? Guam? Some place in North Dakota that is desperate for income?

Well if you haven't lived here in decades, have you checked the local laws on changing your name? Would probably require you renounce your US citizenship and become a citizen of the country you are in.

Why should I have to do that to change my name? I am merely a U.S. citizen living abroad. If we can vote in an American election with absentee ballot, why can't we do other things as Americans abroad? Like a simple name change for a good reason.

Why can't you simply hire a lawyer to set everything up and return to the US long enough to appear in court to complete the process?