Legal Name Change
I wanted to share my experience with everyone. If you are changing only your last name you do NOT have to go through this.
But.... I wanted to change my first name from Tinamarie to Tina. My middle name to my maiden name. And my last name to my married name.
So... I had to go through a legal name change. Here are the steps in the process.
Step 1: Gather all materials - birth certificate, marriage certificate, passport (or driver's license), and recent proof of address (bank statetment).
Step 2: Make copies of all materials.
Step 3: Bring all copies AND originals to Brooklyn court house between the hours of 9am-2pm (this is for Brooklyn court. Check your local court house if in different town/city).
Step 4: Wait insane amount of hours going back and forth between different offices (9th floor to file; 3rd floor to pay; 9th floor to prove payment; 11th floor to wait for judge for umpteenth hours to look over, right up order, approve and sign; back to 9th floor to show judge signed).
Step 5: Call court ordered newspaper to take out an ad to show for public record that you had name change.
Step 6: Wait for said ad to be printed and an affidavit of proof to be sent to you.
Step 7: Return to court house with affidavit and newspaper clipping to show proof of publication.
Then, and only then can you use your new name. So, for all those wanting to change maiden name to middle name or any other form of legal name change. Here is the process laid out for you. It's a POA and I'm currently on step 6, but a little longer and I will have my name change!
But.... I wanted to change my first name from Tinamarie to Tina. My middle name to my maiden name. And my last name to my married name.
So... I had to go through a legal name change. Here are the steps in the process.
Step 1: Gather all materials - birth certificate, marriage certificate, passport (or driver's license), and recent proof of address (bank statetment).
Step 2: Make copies of all materials.
Step 3: Bring all copies AND originals to Brooklyn court house between the hours of 9am-2pm (this is for Brooklyn court. Check your local court house if in different town/city).
Step 4: Wait insane amount of hours going back and forth between different offices (9th floor to file; 3rd floor to pay; 9th floor to prove payment; 11th floor to wait for judge for umpteenth hours to look over, right up order, approve and sign; back to 9th floor to show judge signed).
Step 5: Call court ordered newspaper to take out an ad to show for public record that you had name change.
Step 6: Wait for said ad to be printed and an affidavit of proof to be sent to you.
Step 7: Return to court house with affidavit and newspaper clipping to show proof of publication.
Then, and only then can you use your new name. So, for all those wanting to change maiden name to middle name or any other form of legal name change. Here is the process laid out for you. It's a POA and I'm currently on step 6, but a little longer and I will have my name change!
