Whether you have recently been married or just gone through a divorce, you may be feeling the time is right to legally change your name. While there is no one single system that will change your name across all legalities and accounts, there are a few things you can have on hand to make the name-change process easier. Below, family law attorney John D. Wieser Esq., PC, in Rochester, NY, shares three steps to legally changing your name.

Steps to a Legal Name Change

1. File a Name Change Petition & Proposed Order

This is a document issued by New York State that sets the name-change process in motion. Your first step to changing your name is to complete and file this form with the appropriate court. The New York Courts website offers step-by-step instructions on how to complete the petition and where to submit it in your area. After you file your petition and order, you will receive confirmation of your name change from the state.

2. Obtain Your Certified Name-Change Document

With both marriages and divorces, decrees are issued from courts. These are crucial documents when it comes to legally changing your name. If you changed your name for reasons other than marriage or divorce, you likely had to undertake the change through a legal judgement; the legal order from that judgement is also acceptable to most institutions with whom you will want to alter your name. Take the marriage or divorce decree, or the legal order, along with the paperwork you receive from the state when you go to change your name with various institutions.

3. Have Proof of Birth on Hand

Some agencies, such as the Department of Motor Vehicles, require proof of birth in addition to your name-change document and verification from the state. Be sure to have your original birth certificate or a certified copy before you bring your paperwork to your DMV or other institutions. This document simply confirms with the agency that you are who you say you are.

Call John D. Wieser Esq., PC, at (585) 328-0660 or visit him online to arrange a consultation with a family law attorney. Attorney Wieser handles all manner of family law issues, including child support, spousal support, and child custody. You can also follow his firm on Facebook for legal tips and guidance.