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Regardless of why you change your name,you will need to notify the appropriate agencies and take other steps to make the name change legally meaningful.This also applies to women who change their name as the result of marriage.

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Information About ChangingYour Name

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1.    The need for a Name Change may result from marriage, divorce, adoption or simply a desire to have another name.  2.Generally, (a) you cannot change your name for a fraudulent purpose, such as avoiding debts, (b) other people's rights cannot be affected such as famous people, (c) use of a curse word as a name would not be recommended, and (d) when a minor is involved, the courtlooks to the best interest of the minor.
3.    Means of changing your name generally include (a)Usage, (b) Court Order and (c) Marriage.

a)    Usage- In some states using a name as your own has the affect of making it your name.
b)    CourtOrder - A Court order is recommended to change your name and is required by some states.
c)    Marriage- A marriage certificate serves as proof of name change.

4.    After you have changed your name you may need to change records including: (a) Social Security Card, (b) Drivers License, (c) Passport, (d) Post Office, (e) IRS, (f) Voter Registration, (g) Banks (h) Credit Cards, (i) Doctors (j) Insurance Companies, (k) State Tax Authority,(l) Clubs, (m) Memberships, (n) Employer and (o) Retirement plans. You will also need to consider changing your (a) Will, (b) Health CareProxy, (c) Living Will, (d) Trust, (e) Power of Attorney and (f) Contracts.