Changing my surname?

Question

I'm trying to find out how to legally change my surname, and I haven't had much luck. To make things more complicated I am a minor, only 16. I would like to change my surname to be a hyphenated combination of my late fathers last name and my mother maiden name. I have talked with my mother and she is fine with it, but I don't all the legal restrictions and hoops you have to jump through.

Thanks

Answer 1

You are talking about something which is actually simple.

No minor can file a court petition, to change their name.  It is not complex or "hoops", it is just the way it is.  It must be done by a parent.

Since you say mom is fine with this, I don't see a problem.  Since you say you want it legally changed.. that is the process. She needs to file the papers.  Or, you do it when you are 18.

It only becomes a problem, if you are looking for a route, outside the normal process.  

Answer 2

It really is very simple as Wendy said.  The laws vary by state and the fees will vary by county.  Just contact the court in your county for specifics in your area.  Basically, your mother will need to fill out a Court Order for Name Change form, pay the fee, then you go to court, tell the judge what you want to do, he grants the change, signs the paper, and off you go.  Then you will have to also make sure you get an official notarized copy of that form once it has been signed by the judge because you will have to provide that to the Dept. of Vital Statistics for the state you were born in to get the name changed on your birth certificate, and you will need that form along with your new birth certificate to get it changed on your license and social security card.  Also, get it changed on your school records.  Hopefully, at 16, those 4 things are all you have to worry about changing it on and you do not have a bunch of accounts and creditors you need to change it with.

Answer 3

Technically, you can call yourself anything you want as long as it's not for an official document.  I think you will need your mom's participation in this because you are legally a minor and not able to make decisions on your own (according to law).