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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2013
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    Default American Living Outside of U.S. Wants to Petition for Name Change With 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?

  2. #2
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    Default Re: American Living Outside of U.S. Wants to Petition for Name Change With a U.S. Cou

    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).

  3. #3
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    Jan 2013
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    Default Re: American Living Outside of U.S. Wants to Petition for Name Change With a U.S. Cou

    Quote Quoting Mr. Knowitall
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    a. The one in which you are domiciled after you return to the United States.
    But I never plan to return, so I will never be domiciled in a U.S. state.

    Quote Quoting Mr. Knowitall
    View Post
    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.
    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.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
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    8,006

    Default Re: American Living Outside of U.S. Wants to Petition for Name Change With a U.S. Cou

    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.

  5. #5
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    Jan 2013
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    8

    Default Re: American Living Outside of U.S. Wants to Petition for Name Change With a U.S. Cou

    Quote 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.
    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.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
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    Somewhere near Canada
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    35,894

    Default Re: American Living Outside of U.S. Wants to Petition for Name Change With a U.S. Cou

    You could always try contacting a Lunar-based attorney.

  7. #7
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    Default Re: American Living Outside of U.S. Wants to Petition for Name Change With a U.S. Cou

    Quote Quoting Overseas
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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.
    As far as I know, unless and until you establish domicile in the U.S. jurisdiction in which you want to change your name, it's not happening. But nary a day goes by when somebody doesn't surprise me with a wacky law or policy, somewhere in the country, that is at odds with every other jurisdiction in the nation, so I am reluctant to say "it's impossible" given that I haven't researched every state's law. I don't expect that you'll have any luck.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 2013
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    8

    Default Re: American Living Outside of U.S. Wants to Petition for Name Change With a U.S. Cou

    OK, now we are getting somewhere. So how does an American who lives overseas for decades establish domicile in a U.S. jurisdiction? Do I have to buy a house or rent an apartment for 6 months? Or, perhaps I could use the address of a relative and without even stepping foot in America, proclaim domicile?!?

  9. #9
    Join Date
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    Default Re: American Living Outside of U.S. Wants to Petition for Name Change With a U.S. Cou

    You establish your primary domicile in the U.S. jurisdiction in which you want to file your name change petition. As for residency requirements, laws vary by state.

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