Law-Forums.org

[macquaid35]

I have my heart set on changing my name. it's more than just I don't like the last name.

I've struggled to accept it all my life because I love my family but I can't stand all the mental anguish the last name has caused me. our name sounds like an overweight anglo saxon and I want a beautiful name that reflects our Spanish heritage. I don't just want to change the name, I NEED to.

I live in North Carolina and they make everything hard here. North Carolina is a very hard place to live with stupid laws. I've researched things and discovered that they have to determine that you have sufficient reason to change it. It's stupid; in Florida it's so easy to change your name for desire. However I moved from Florida years ago and would be considered a foreigner if I went back now, even though I am from there.

I'm too miserable to wait until I get married and I think the tradition of taking the husband's name is degrading... it would make me feel like property. I want a special identity all my own.

I just know the court will give me a hard time about changing my name but I NEED to change it.

What do I do? What recourse do i have?

[eilis]

Relax! The "sufficient reason" language in name-change laws is usually interpreted fairly loosely. Even though the law says you need a reason, in actual practice, courts will tend to grant all requests for a name change unless there is sufficient reason NOT to allow the person to change their name.

For example, if a person has a long criminal history under an old name, courts will often not allow them to change their names, for obvious reasons.

This is no guarantee that your petition for a name change will be approved by the judge. But don't despair: you have a very good chance of being able to change your name. Just submit the petition to your county court.

[hewlett]

If you truly want to change your name to "Weep Weep Piggy Feet", then just petition the court in your County. Pay the fee and off you gp crying Wee Wee Wee All the Way home!