How can i change my legal name? i have a good reason!?

Question

hello, i need to change my last name and fast, im starting my senior year in high school and i want it done b4 college, i also need time to alter my records and test info with the new legal name. my parents never married but my mom gave me both last names on the birth certificate, its 2 names with a hiphen between for example chris jackson- smith. but i only want to be hypothetically chris smith cuz smith is my dads last name. how do i legally change my name, im under 18 and want it done quickly, do i need to go to a court, change my birth certificate, pls help me!

Answer 1

Unfortunately you must be 18 to do this

Answer 2

Here is a stock answer. There will be more hoops to jum through because you are a minor. In the USA, your county court clerk is the person to ask.

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Unless you put it in your question, we can't tell what country you are in. It is the most frustrating thing Yahoo does. It doesn't matter if you go into domestic Yahoo or one of the International Yahoos - UK, Australia, Canada, India - all of the questions in English go into one big "pot".

In my state, California, you call the clerk at the county courthouse. You fill out a form and pay $320. You also take out a "Legal Notice" in a local newspaper for four weeks. That cost is in addition to the $320. If no one objects, you get your decree.

Every time you apply for a new passport, driver's license, etc. you will need to mail in or show a notarized copy of the decree. If you have to mail one in and don't get it back, chalk up another $25 or so.

The procedure is the same in all counties in California, although the cost may vary. I suspect the procedure is about the same in most states in the USA, although the cost and the length of time may vary.

If you are in the UK, say so and one of the UK people will explain deed polls to you.

Answer 3

Talk your mother or father into doing this name change for you.

Answer 4

whats your good reason?

Answer 5

You need to go to court, and get consent from your parents