Have you gotten up in the morning wishing you were someone else? Or, maybe you were born with one name but grew up with a different name. Whatever the reason, many people actually consider legally changing their names and identities. Whether you are doing this because you aspire to be a new kind of you, or as a means to escape a life that is filled with abuse and chaos, or if you just need to unify the name identity you’ve had for years, the process is the same. Here is everything you should know about getting all that handled correctly and being who you want to be with your name exactly the way you want. This is all based on the information provided by the experts at EZNameChange.
Selecting A New Name
This is, of course, one of the most important parts of the entire process. You likely already know the name you want to have because you’ve been using it anyway or because it’s the name that envisions the person you intend to be going forward. It could be both. It’s quite likely there’s no problem with the name you want to have from now on, but here are the kinds of name change choices that might be a problem to get approved:
– You cannot select a name to cash in on the fame, brand, or trademark of someone else.
– It cannot contain symbols, including numerals.
– Obscene words are not allowed.
– Names that inspire hate cause harm or injury or create public confusion
Filing For A Name Change
Every state has its own rules governing name changes. You have to do your due diligence in order to figure out how to proceed. This part of the process involves filing paperwork, paying a fee, giving legal notices, having a background check, and going before a judge or magistrate to get a decision. If it appears you are trying to make this change to avoid legal obligations or to cause other legal issues, your request will be denied. If you haven’t done all the steps or provided the required proof, you will likely be denied or allowed to fix the problem.
If you are denied, it will likely be without prejudice, meaning you have the right to try again. Also, a name change denial can be appealed. Most all petitions for change of name are approved, however, providing they are done correctly and for a proper purpose. You’ll need a Certified Copy of your name change court order to get on with the next phase of changing your identity.
Obtaining New Documents
With a Certified Copy of your name change court order, you can change any of your ID or Official Records that don’t already have your “New” name on them. Changing your name doesn’t change who you are, but who you are is called to mind when your name is heard. So, your identity is tied up with your name Identification. Getting a unified name identity is a very important part of the name change. Having your request approved means that you are well on your way to being the one you want to be, uniformly. Ake, your Certified Decree, Changing Name and start making sure your key ID and Official Records have you registered in your full, new legal name. Social Security, DMV, Passport, Job, School, Bank, Professional Licensing. Inform everyone in your life, without getting in fights or arguments. Before long, everyone will know you and think of you when they hear, say, or read your new name.
Changing Your Social Security Name and/or Number
With your Certified Decree Changing Name and a completed SSA Application, the Social Security Administration will update their computer records as to your name, and issue you a new card with the same Social Security Number you had before. This step is fairly quick and easy and should be your first move to establish your new name unless Social Security already has you under your new name.
If you are looking for an entirely new identity, and need to “disappear” from your old self-identity, you may have to apply for a new Social Security number. Any use of the old one will make it easy for someone to find you, even if it is now attached to a new name. Changing Social Security Numbers is not an easy thing. You will have to print out the form, fill it out, and submit it at your local office. This is not something that can be done on the Web. Here are some of the conditions considered in order for an SSA number change to be approved:
– Your life is in danger (having proof from law enforcement can be helpful).
– You have the same number as someone else.
– Similar numbers to another individual have caused you some issues in the past.
– You have religious reasons for not wanting the numeric sequence assigned.
– Identity theft issues have plagued you.
Basically, there will need to be a compelling reason for this to be allowed.
The Process Of Establishing and Reinforcing your New Name and Identity
If you have gotten a name change to make the name you’ve already been using fully legal, then everyone already knows who you are and what you’re called. You just need to go to those few places where they don’t yet recognize your name and identity, show them your Certified Decree Changing Name, and they will fix the way you’re known to them from then on. Keep one of the Certified Copies with your important papers always.
If you have taken an entirely new name, then there’s a clean slate as to what the person with that name is like. You will create that impression as you go forward in your life. How you act, how you talk, what you do, what you don’t do…those are all things that people will know you by. And, they will associate those characteristics with your new name. Now that you are a person with a new name and clean slate under that name, it is your responsibility to establish the new identity you will have now. Unless you’ve changed your Social Security Number, You will still have a credit history, job history and other things you’ve done until now. But get all your ID in your new name and start being that person you see yourself becoming. It won’t be long before everyone else sees you that way too.
If you are thinking about changing social security numbers and disappearing” your old identity more completely, it will be difficult to proceed for you, but that does not mean it is impossible. Here are some things to keep in mind along that way.
– Finding work may be difficult.
Depending on your age, gaining a new identity can be a real hassle. When potential employers look into your work history, and there is nothing available for them to see, it can arouse suspicion. For this reason, it may be necessary to start with an unskilled job and work your way up. Once you have a track record, it will be more likely that others will consider you for more responsible positions.
– It is imperative that you practice writing and speaking your new name.
You do not want to sign a legal document with a name that is not yours anymore. It is also important that you appear confident and unfazed when you are identifying yourself to new people. If they sense some apprehension or you stumble when speaking your name, it can make things quite awkward.
– Cut off everyone that’s a part of your problem past.
It will be pointless to try starting over fresh and having someone reveal who you are to someone in your new life. For this reason, you may need to let go of people you know, including friends, family, and colleagues. There are some people who start over and stay in touch with friends and family members, but this should only be done if you are absolutely certain they will never reveal who you are to anyone.
– Stay out of trouble.
The best way to avoid any connection to your old identity is to stay above the law. If you commit a crime and are arrested, the court files and/or media may tell the public who you used to be. An example of this would be when Clark Rockefeller was arrested for kidnapping in 2008. In news stories, it was revealed to the public that his name was actually Christian Karl Gerhartsreiter.
Being yourself doesn’t mean you’re stuck with who you were at birth or at any other time either. Name Change and Identity Change can be a great way to eliminate irritations of identification variations or something as empowering as becoming a whole new you. This can happen. Being you may be the most important part of your life, so get it right.
