How do i get my last name changed?

Question

i would love to change my last name, i no longer want my fathers last name. he's not in my life and never really was. whats he process i would have to go through and how much is the cost to change your last name? if anyone can help i would really love it. thanks so much.

Answer 1

It's probably just a matter of having the proper paperwork drawn up and paying court costs. You could probably save some $ by paying a lawyer to do the papers and then submit them to the court yourself as the lawyer would charge for the extra legwork.  Call around to get prices first so you can get the best deal if you don't already know someone.

Answer 2

Why would you want to do this?  So, you are not close to your father and never were?  What does this have to do with anything?  No one is going to care what your last name is.  You are trying to distance yourself further from your father (fine) but changing your last name won't do it. There are emotional issues here that's obvious and a mere name change is not going to fix that. You will undoubtedly get married one day.  Why not wait and assume the name of your future husband?  If you insist upon doing this (changing your name) you will have to go to court, put in an application, pay money, and change all other legal documents with your name, such as your driver's license, social security card, and other things.  Do you really want the hassle?  Just distance yourself from your father and get on with your own life.  Make your own mark with your name.  No one is going to care if you are Leesha Smith, Leesha Jones, or Leesha Johnson. And by changing your name, you won't heal whatever is bothering you with regard to the relationship with your father.  You cannot erase the fact that he IS your father merely by changing your name.  Unless your father is a wanted criminal of note, I would not bother with all of this. In the end, you might find it was not worth all the hub-bub. I have never been very close to my father either but calling myself by another name isn't going to change that fact.  And besides, you will undoubtedly outlive your father, and what you do with your life is YOUR responsibility, NOT his!  Your name is just something by which to identify you, nothing more.  It's what YOU do and who YOU are that counts, not your name!

Answer 3

In my state in 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.

You may have to wait until you are 21. Call the courthouse and ask.