Are There Consequences to Legally Changing Your Name?

The legal process can be more complicated than you think, and it is essential to change your name correctly to ensure the government recognizes your new official identity.

There are various reasons for a person to want or need to change their name: post-divorce name change, new surname, transgender changes, or want a new identity. However, whatever your reason, there are a few things you should be aware of before legally changing your name. Here are a few things to consider.

Consequences to Changing Your Name

The first thing to consider is that legally changing your name isn’t free. You will be required to pay for the cost of the name change petition. Fees are different depending on the county where you file.

There can be professional consequences that can be problematic. For instance, all of your bank accounts and credit cards will need to be updated, as well as your driver’s license and passport, which means you’ll have a lot of paperwork to fill out. Once the name change has taken place legally, you may not be able to use any of your former documents.

Another factor to consider, a name change can have an impact on your taxes. The names on your tax return much match Social Security Administration records. According to the IRS, a mismatch in your name can delay your tax refund.

In St. Louis, family law judges take name changes very seriously. They will not allow individuals to change their name to one that is not proper or detrimental to another party. They also reserve the right to ask for supporting evidence to the contrary if they feel that a name change is being requested in an attempt to defraud another person, avoid legal judgments or actions, or avoid having to repay a debt or other obligation.

The legal process can be more complicated than you think, and it is essential to change your name correctly to ensure the government recognizes your new official identity.

The Name Change Process

Several requirements need to be completed before a person can petition to have their name changed. As part of the petition, specific requirements must be included to be taken into consideration.

Fortunately, you do not have to go through the process alone, nor do you have to figure out all of the legal technicalities without help. The Betz Law Firm is here to assist you with your petition to ensure there are no unforeseen hurdles during the process.