how to legally change your name in texas austin lawyer attorney

by Dr. Russell Shields II 8 min read

How do I legally change my name in Texas?

The first step in obtaining a name change is to file an Original Petition for Change of Name. A sample form for the Petition can be found at TexasLawHelp.org. The Petition must be filed with the district clerk of the county where the person requesting the name change, known as the Petitioner, resides.2The clerk will then assign the case

How can a family law attorney help you change your name?

Mar 16, 2022 · Child Name Change. Change your child's name. Respond to a law suit in a family law case. Forms are available for custody (SAPCR), divorce, paternity, modification, and name change situations. Tell the judge that you want to serve the other parent by publishing in a newspaper because you cannot find the other parent.

How do you change the name of a child in court?

Apr 13, 2018 · The only way to change your name legally is to have a court order authorizing the name change. Changing your name can either be a very smooth process or a complicated one depending on your circumstances. The court will require that certain items be completed prior to granting a name change. Limited scope representation for Name Change is the avenue to use …

How do I file a petition for a name change?

Mar 22, 2022 · A name change is not required by law, but a person may decide to take their spouse's last name when they get married. State law does not contain step-by-step instructions when changing your last name after marriage. There is no single legal form to fill out. Instead, a person must contact government agencies to let them know of the new legal name. The …

Do you need a lawyer to change your name?

You do not need to follow any legal procedure in order to change your name. You may call yourself whatever you choose as long as you are not defrauding anyone.

How much does it cost to legally change your name in Texas?

The court filing fee may be between $150 - $300 depending on where you live. Contact the district clerk's office in your county to learn the filing fee for an adult name change.Sep 14, 2021

How do I legally change my name in Austin TX?

Procedure To Change Your Name in TexasComplete the adult name change petition. ... Complete the order to change an adult's name. ... Have your fingerprints taken. ... Make copies of the court papers. ... File your papers with the court clerk. ... Attend the court hearing. ... File the order with the clerk.More items...•Nov 2, 2021

What forms do I need for a name change in Texas?

The two essential forms required for applying for a legal name change are the Petition for Change of Name of Adult Form and the Order Granting Change of Name of Adult Form.Dec 16, 2021

Do I need an attorney to change my name Texas?

The name change process can be complicated and requires filing paperwork with the courts. An attorney can help you with your paperwork and filing, represent you in court if necessary, and generally ensure that the process goes as smoothly as possible.Jan 6, 2021

How long does it take to change your name in Texas?

Name change actions can take anywhere from a day to six (6) months (sometimes even longer). The time it takes for such action to be ordered/decreed varies not only from county to county, but sometimes from courthouse to courthouse as well.

How much does it cost to legally change your name?

It costs around $170 to change your name (or around $55 for a child under two years of age). You have to fill out an application form and sign the statutory declaration that is part of the form in front of a lawyer, Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages, Justice of the Peace (JP) or another authorised official.Sep 12, 2019

How long does it take to legally change your name?

How long does it take to legally change my name? Name change actions can take anywhere from a day, to six (6) months (sometimes even longer). The time it takes for name change actions to be ordered/decreed varies not only from state to state but from county to county and courthouse to courthouse as well.

How can I change my name legally?

Steps to Legally Change Your NamePetition to change your name by filling out a name change form, an order to show cause for legally changing your name, and a decree to legally change your name.Take these forms to the court clerk and file them along with your state's required filing fees.More items...•Jul 22, 2020

How do I petition for a name change in Texas?

The first step in obtaining a name change is to file an Original Petition for Change of Name. A sample form for the Petition is attached to the end of this pamphlet. The Petition must be filed with the district clerk of the county where the person requesting the name change, known as the Petitioner, resides.

Where do I go to change my last name in Texas?

To submit your application and other required documents, head down to your nearest Social Security office in Texas, which you can find here. You can also mail everything to the Social Security office. Expect to receive a new Social Security card (with the same number but a different name on it) in two to three weeks.May 21, 2020

How to change your child's name?

Change your child's name. Respond to a law suit in a family law case. Forms are available for custody (SAPCR), divorce, paternity, modification, and name change situations. Tell the judge that you want to serve the other parent by publishing in a newspaper because you cannot find the other parent.

What is a legal form?

Instead, many private publishers create drafting guides or templates that are commonly referred to as "legal forms.". Depending on the specifics of your situation, a drafting guide may need to be customized for your specific set of facts.

Can an attorney create a form?

An attorney could create a custom form for you. If you are not able to find the legal form you are looking for, one may not exist in a pre-prepared format and you may need to seek help from a lawyer.

Changing Your Last Name After Marriage

If you intend to change your last name once you are married, that can usually be done through the marriage process. Once you are married, it will be your responsibility to notify certain government agencies as well as update your official identification documents with your new legal name.

Name Changes in Texas

If you need to change your name and it cannot be done through the marriage process, see the resources below to learn more about how to petition for a name change in court. See our Name Changes in Texas research guide for additional resources.

E-Books from the Texas State Law Library

You can borrow the e-books below with your library account. Don't have a library account? Texas residents can register for a library account online! Learn more about how to register online.

What is Texas Legal Services Center?

Texas Legal Services Center (TLSC) is a statewide nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide high quality legal representation, advice, advocacy, and education at no cost to underserved people across the state. Visit us on the web at https://www.tlsc.org.

Can you change your name on a criminal background check?

Criminal records cannot be changed. Any criminal records under your old name that show up in a criminal record check will continue to show up. However, there are two types of checks—fingerprint-based checks and name-based checks. A fingerprint-based check will most likely associate you with any criminal records under your dead name, while a name-based check might not. But name-based checks may use other identifying information such as your birth date or social security number. Your other demographic information will match with your old records, but the person requesting the background check may or may not actually connect those records to you if you’ve legally changed your name.

Can you change your name and gender on Social Security?

It is recommended you change your name and/or gender marker with the Social Security Administration (SSA) first, because many other government agencies will check your name and gender with Social Security.

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Texas Law

This section of the law allows a birth certificate to be changed if it is "proved by satisfactory evidence to be inaccurate."

Understanding the Law

TexasLawHelp.org has compiled answers to common questions about changing your gender marker and/or name.

Sample Letters

The court will require a letter from your doctor who has treated you as part of your transition. This template can be used to help your doctor write the letter.

How Do You Change a Name as an Adult?

There are several requirements that must be completed before a person can petition to have their name changed. Depending on the reason why they are changing their name and also on the relevant laws in their particular jurisdiction, these requirements generally include:

What Can Prevent Me From Changing My Name?

There are certain scenarios in which a person might be prohibited from having their name changed. In some cases, they may have to provide notice to a person who has an interest in their name change.