FULL NAME CHANGE!

Someone I knew changed their first name when they got divorced, they said it was a freebie, so hopefully it works for you too. can I ask what you're changing from/to?

As far as help, contact your city clerk for more info. I can to call them when I was asking about two last names without a hyphen and whether that was valid in my state, etc.etc.

Each state has it's own set of rules I believe, but I've heard you can only change it to what is on your marriage license - any combination of those names, but not random new names.

It's a different process to change your name totally.

I changed my middle name and found some issues with that. It confused just about everyone I had to change my name with. I am also curious what you are changing your name to. Is your FH taking your last name?

Following

I'm in the process of doing this now. Trying to go from Kathleen to Kate for first (I've never been known by my formal name), dropping my middle name and taking on maiden, then DH's last name. I sent my form to the SSA last week, so we'll see what they say.

Typically it's a legal process to change your first name. Many states will allow you to change your middle name to your maiden name and take your FH's new last name. That's what I did and I'm in NY.

Good luck!

I know someone who just changed her first and last name at the same time when she got married. We are in WA

I was born in VN, but moved here when I was 4. When my family became US citizen, my dad didn't know he could change all of our names for free. So he kept all Vietnamese names for his kids. But some of my siblings were able to changed their first name when they took their citizenship test.

My current name: Thuy Trang Thi Dinh

New name: Emily Marie Gilman

Gilman is my husband's last name. And everyone calls me Marie so I threw that in as my middle name. I like Emily as my first name though. Simple and cute.

I know changing first name has a different process (which involves money) but I am wondering if I can change my entire name including my new married last name to make things easier when I go get my new license and etc

Vanessa, could you PLEASE help me get more info from your friend? I honestly googled and couldn't find any information on this situation

I am interested in changing my first name, as well. In the state of California, I believe it is $420 to submit a petition within the courts. Every state has different laws.

No one even calls me by any of my Vietnamese names. Plus, it's hard to pronounce my name in English. Everyone calls me Marie and I'm okay with that. And since I'm taking my husband's last name after we get married, "Thuy Trang Thi Gilman" looks oddly weird to me.

Why don't you make marie your first name then and emily the middle name?

I changed my name when I was about 9. It was not very difficult. It could be totally different because I was a child, but I don't remember it being a hassle.

Also, I changed it from Katya Barbara to Kate Barbara because no one really understood Katya and said Kate anyways.

I have the same question as Blair...if everyone already calls you Marie, won't changing it to Emily just confuse people even more?

Because I'm Catholic and my Saint name is Maria (which is why people call me Marie). However, I do a lot of catholic events at church and they say my entire name including saint's name often in church so it's pretty duplicate to me.

I can't help, but good luck!!

I also find it pretty strange that people are suggesting you change your name in other ways...it's your name, use whatever makes you happy.

Thank you!