Examine Your Options

• Names can be changed in two ways:
  
  1. Pick a new name and consistently use it. This is called "common usage."
  
  2. Go through a more formal court process.
  
  Both are equally legitimate. However, there are limitations on how you can change your name:
  
  1. You cannot change your name if you have "fraudulent intent," meaning that you're trying to avoid bankruptcy by becoming someone else.
  
  2. You cannot change your name to a trademarked name. This also applies to giving yourself the name of a famous person.
  
  3. You cannot use numbers in your name, like 911, in order to intentionally confuse people. You also cannot use symbols (ampersands or percent signs). However, you can add Roman numerals to the end of your name.
  
  4. Naughty or violent words are not allowed by the courts, nor is anything with a racial slur.
  
  5. If you're a minor, you need to have a court decision. This often occurs when parents get divorced and a child wants to join his mother in using her maiden name.
  
  A court proceeding leaves you with a public record of the change and an indisputable right to your new name.