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Is There an Easy Way to Change Your Last Name

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  • 11-08-2016, 04:14 AM
    I_Need_Legal_Advice
    Is There an Easy Way to Change Your Last Name
    My question involves name change laws in the State of: Oklahoma and If I wait longer, Texas. Topic is Changing An Adult's Name, and also Name Change Procedures.

    Hello People. I am not married. I am not divorced. But I hate my last name. It rhymes with my first name. I only want to change three letters of my five letter last name so it won't rhyme any more. Also, changing three letters to my five letter last name results in a five letter common last name. (such as Jones, Smith, etc. ... I included two examples because your "Before You Post" said I should leave out as much personal information as possible.) Also: my current birth last name is not so common, and I want no affiliation with birth relatives or their extended family. I am so upset that I cringe whenever I see my birth last name.

    Is it easier to change just part of a last name, or is it equally as complicated?

    I have seen instances (of traffic citations) where people do not physically attend the court room for the hearing. Is it possible to send the court papers, and even the court hearing by mail and telephone?

    Can I fill out an Affidavit Of Name Change? Does somebody else have to fill it out attesting? The only person I know and trust are in Texas. Is Affidavit Of Name Change different in each state? Would one being in one state and the other being in the other state complicate things?

    ... And I am also wondering if Name Change By Usage, or Common Law Usage is even valid any more?! I am assuming that every single organization requires SSN and that University, Employment, and Utility Bills want SSN which makes Common Law Name Use no longer legally recognized, right?

    Also I have a petition for name change form.
  • 11-08-2016, 06:45 AM
    flyingron
    Re: Changing Three Letters of My Five Letter Last Name, and Common Law Use:
    Name changes are pretty much the same no matter whether you are changing a couple of letters or the whole thing. It's pretty straight forward as long as you don't have criminal charges pending or court cases or other debt actions going on against you. It will need to be published in the paper (classified section where legal notices are published), but that rarely elicits a protest.

    It's doubtful that the court has telephonic hearings for name changes. Why don't you want to appear for your hearing? You may be able to have an attorney appear for you. You fill out the form and petition yourself, but you need one other person to attest to the statements as being correct and both of you must sign in front of a notary. Again you can get all that done at once with a lawyer.

    You must file in the state and county that you are currently residing (and in OK have resided for 30 days).

    Here's the process in pictures. http://www.wikihow.com/Change-Your-Name-in-Oklahoma

    The forms (with instructions) are here: http://oklaw.org/files/CB59BD67-E9D4...%2011.2011.pdf

    There's no such thing as a common law name change. Absent a court document (either a marriage or name change order), most will not change your identification.

    Be sure to get several "true copies" at the court house when your petition is approved. You'll need to show them or send them to people to get things changed. Some may need to retain it for their records.
  • 11-08-2016, 09:05 AM
    Dogmatique
    Re: Is There an Easy Way to Change Your Last Name
    Quote:

    Quoting I_Need_Legal_Advice
    View Post
    My question involves name change laws in the State of: Oklahoma and If I wait longer, Texas. Topic is Changing An Adult's Name, and also Name Change Procedures.

    Hello People. I am not married. I am not divorced. But I hate my last name. It rhymes with my first name. I only want to change three letters of my five letter last name so it won't rhyme any more. Also, changing three letters to my five letter last name results in a five letter common last name. (such as Jones, Smith, etc. ... I included two examples because your "Before You Post" said I should leave out as much personal information as possible.) Also: my current birth last name is not so common, and I want no affiliation with birth relatives or their extended family. I am so upset that I cringe whenever I see my birth last name.

    Is it easier to change just part of a last name, or is it equally as complicated?

    I have seen instances (of traffic citations) where people do not physically attend the court room for the hearing. Is it possible to send the court papers, and even the court hearing by mail and telephone?

    Can I fill out an Affidavit Of Name Change? Does somebody else have to fill it out attesting? The only person I know and trust are in Texas. Is Affidavit Of Name Change different in each state? Would one being in one state and the other being in the other state complicate things?

    ... And I am also wondering if Name Change By Usage, or Common Law Usage is even valid any more?! I am assuming that every single organization requires SSN and that University, Employment, and Utility Bills want SSN which makes Common Law Name Use no longer legally recognized, right?

    Also I have a petition for name change form.

    Your SSN is not required - at least in most states - to obtain utilities in this country.
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