Texas name change for unmarried woman?

Question

How would I go about changing my name in Texas? Which office do I start out at? County or local courthouse?

What's a ballpark estimate of the fees and time it takes?

Answer 1

In the State of Texas a person may legally go by any name they please, no 'official' name change has to be done.

However, if you choose to make it 'official' then you file at the county courthouse.  The fees ar minimal and takes little time.  Pretty much you just fill out a form saying 'this is my new name'.  You will also want to get a new drivers license with your new name, and that will take a few weeks to process.

What will take some time is getting all your bills, mailing address of record, titles, certificates, etc. changed over.  You will have to contact each of the companies that send you bills seperately to inform them of the name change notice.  Getting a new SSN card will take some time too.