Deciding to change your name can be a very personal decision. Whether you choose to change your name for religious or occupational reasons, or if you are recently married or divorced and want to change your last name, below you can find instructions on how to change your name in Texas.

Sometimes a name change can be a simple procedure that may accompany a marriage or the changing of a child's name to a biological parent's, other times a court order is needed.http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/vs/reqproc/faq/amendment.shtm If you chose to change your name in Texas you must meet the residency requirements of the state and file for the name change in the county in which you live.http://www.texasnamechangelaw.com/faq.asp The courts of Texas will entertain any reasonable request for a name change but will not change your name if you have been convicted of a felony, unless you have been pardoned.http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/FA/htm/FA.45.htm Lawyers are not usually required for a name change, but you may elect to have one walk you through the process. You may also purchase name change kits online that are specific for the state of Texas and that contain all the instructions and forms that you will need. These kits can vary in price from $38.99-$58.99.http://www.texasnamechange.com/name_change_forms.php

Changing your name in Texas can be done fairly easily and the reasons accepted by the court will vary greatly. However, the court will not consider a name change if you are changing your name for fraudulent purposes or for evading debts or liabilities. If your are a registered sex offender or have a final felony conviction on your record, you will not be able to get a name change unless certain criteria are meant.http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/FA/htm/FA.45.htm Reasons that you may seek to change your name include:

• 1. An embarrassing name
• 2. Marriage or divorce
• 3. A spelling mistake on a birth certificate
• 4. Religious reasons
• 5. Occupational reasons
• 6. Adoption
• 7. Changing a child's last name to a step-parent's.

To apply for a name change in Texas you will need to have been a resident of the state for at least six months.http://www.texasnamechangelaw.com/faq.asp You will also need to have lived in the county in which you apply for the name change for 90 days or more.http://www.texasnamechangelaw.com/faq.asp

To apply for a name change in Texas follow these steps.

1. Fill out a petition for a name change. Petition forms made be found online both for free or for purchase or at your local library or law library. The petition will need to include these things:
   • Birth name, date and place
   • Current address
   • Any drivers license numbers that have been issued in the past 10 years
   • Reasons for the name change
   • The new name being requestedhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7LgFqYOGbA
2. Get a complete set of finger prints made: These can be purchased at the local DPS office, or any law enforcement office.
3. Present any records of any criminal activities above a Class C conviction.
4. Have the petition notarized. Remember, do not sign the petition until you are in front of the notary so that your signature may be verified. Take identification with you to the notary as well.
5. File the petition with your local country clerks office.
6. Contact the court coordinator for the time, date, and location of your court hearing.
7. Appear at the court at the appointed time to receive the judgment on the name change. If the judge signs a court order your name has been changed. If he does not sign, the name is not changed and you may not reapply for a name change unless the circumstances for the name change request have changed.http://www.texasnamechangelaw.com/faq.asp
8. Get a certified copy of the court order from the district clerk.

Once you have a certified court order of a name change you will need to change your name on all legal documentation and with places that you do business with. Most agencies will require proof of a name change. You may use the court order, or you may purchase an official name change certificate and use this as proof of a name change. This certificate costs $10 and is available from the county clerk.http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/FA/htm/FA.45.htm Places you will want to change your name with are:

1. Driver's license
2. Social Security
3. Employer
4. Utility bills
5. Insurance policies (medical, dental, auto, life)
6. Credit cards
7. Stocks and bonds
8. Banking accounts

The content of this page is intended for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional legal advice.