[This is not legal advice. Consult an attorney for legal advice.]
After three decades of living life with just a single name, and withstanding curious looks, harmless (but repetitive) humor and airport scrutiny, I changed my single name to a proper name - you know - the one with a First Name and a Last Name. Yes, this is a story of how I gave up and blended in.
In the land of the free and home of the brave, one is not free to have a single name. All the systems (with a few exceptions) mandate that you put two names. So even if you have just a single name, technically you are dealing with two names all the time, except that the second name given to you can be arbitrary and can change from one system to the next. Some examples:
1) FNU <your name> : FNU stands for First Name Unknown
2) <your name> LNU: LNU stands for Last Name Unknown
3) <your name> <your name> : just repeat your name twice to make it two names
4) NO GIVEN NAME <your name>
5) UNKNOWN <your name>
6) NO FIRST NAME <your name>
I had most of the above names reflected across various documents. These might look humorous initially but believe me, after the third time (and for the next hundreds of times), it will start to wear on you. Especially when people (like my new dentist) who you have just met, want to know your entire history of why you just have a single name (sitting in an awkward position under a dentist and being asked these questions specially make it difficult to say "none of your business").
So, I finally decided enough was enough - let me change my name to a proper <first name> <last name>. And here is the process I followed here in California. Let me just say - IT IS NOT AS CUMBERSOME AS YOU MIGHT THINK. It just takes a bit of time.
Steps at a high level:
1) Fill up forms - all are available online. For CA residents, all information is available here:
http://www.courts.ca.gov/22489.htm
(forms are really easy to fill - don't sweat and spend time in getting them reviewed - DIY).
2) Go to your local area superior court - exact court name is published online as well. File a civil court case. Take a date about eight weeks from that day of filing. Pay attention to where you have to show up and when - ask the court clerk. Address will also be written on the paper the clerk returns to you.
3) Go to a newspaper (court clerk will tell you the options in your area) - the newspaper will publish your Ad for four weeks (once per week). They will also directly send the proof of publishing to the court - so you don't have to do anything.
4) Show up at the court (this court can be different from the court where you filed your civil case in step 2 - pay attention).
5) The judge will call you (you will see a number of other people also there to change their names - hurray, you are not alone!). The judge will read (spell out) your new name - pay attention to the spelling. There is no real questioning on the reasons - so no need to be afraid or to prepare for anything.
6) The judge will sign.
That's it - your name is changed legally. You will get the original court order.
7) Go to the clerks to get a few attested copies of that original court order. Just in case.
Drive back feeling elated and lost at the same time.
Bootnotes - For many folks, this might be their first visit to US courts (as it was for me). Just make sure you give yourself plenty of time when you go for the hearing (step 4). There could be security checks, and parking issues.
In my case, I went to the court and kept looking for Dept 24 (where I was supposed to go). After some searching, I finally got an opportunity to ask someone. He didn't know but a person in the elevator overheard my question and shouted "across the street" just as the elevator door was closing. Obviously I didn't know if that answer was for me, and didn't even know if the same court had a part II across the street. But I pursued and finally got to the right place in time! Bless that person!
AFTER THE LEGAL NAME CHANGE
With a court document in hand, part II of your fun has just begun (this is where I am right now). Things to take care of, mostly in this order as far as I know (AFAIK):
1) Go to your Social Security office - take a number under "name change category". At the window, show court order (bring your work authorization). They will take your old SS Card. You will be mailed a new SS card in about two weeks. You should be able to open an online SS account now!
2) DMV - Update your name on your DL, and on your vehicles titles. They will ask for the new SS card.
3) Green card - Apply online for a replacement, with name change as a reason. Check USCIS website for getting your I-94 updated if you are on a VISA. In either case, you might have to go for an in-person interview.
By the way, you can also get your name changed when you are applying for US passport. Then you don't have to follow the State process.
4) Request name change at all your banks, financial institutions, office records, benefits, reward accounts/frequent flyer accounts etc. lease agreement, phone/internet contracts, utilities etc.
Note: File your taxes with your new name (AFAIK). However do not change the name on your W-2 while entering W-2 data. Your W-2 records should match whatever IRS has on their files.
Have fun, and hope this was helpful. Feel free to share your experiences as well.
Again, this blog is not a substitute for legal or tax advice. Consult an attorney for legal advice.
After three decades of living life with just a single name, and withstanding curious looks, harmless (but repetitive) humor and airport scrutiny, I changed my single name to a proper name - you know - the one with a First Name and a Last Name. Yes, this is a story of how I gave up and blended in.
In the land of the free and home of the brave, one is not free to have a single name. All the systems (with a few exceptions) mandate that you put two names. So even if you have just a single name, technically you are dealing with two names all the time, except that the second name given to you can be arbitrary and can change from one system to the next. Some examples:
1) FNU <your name> : FNU stands for First Name Unknown
2) <your name> LNU: LNU stands for Last Name Unknown
3) <your name> <your name> : just repeat your name twice to make it two names
4) NO GIVEN NAME <your name>
5) UNKNOWN <your name>
6) NO FIRST NAME <your name>
I had most of the above names reflected across various documents. These might look humorous initially but believe me, after the third time (and for the next hundreds of times), it will start to wear on you. Especially when people (like my new dentist) who you have just met, want to know your entire history of why you just have a single name (sitting in an awkward position under a dentist and being asked these questions specially make it difficult to say "none of your business").
So, I finally decided enough was enough - let me change my name to a proper <first name> <last name>. And here is the process I followed here in California. Let me just say - IT IS NOT AS CUMBERSOME AS YOU MIGHT THINK. It just takes a bit of time.
Steps at a high level:
1) Fill up forms - all are available online. For CA residents, all information is available here:
http://www.courts.ca.gov/22489.htm
(forms are really easy to fill - don't sweat and spend time in getting them reviewed - DIY).
2) Go to your local area superior court - exact court name is published online as well. File a civil court case. Take a date about eight weeks from that day of filing. Pay attention to where you have to show up and when - ask the court clerk. Address will also be written on the paper the clerk returns to you.
3) Go to a newspaper (court clerk will tell you the options in your area) - the newspaper will publish your Ad for four weeks (once per week). They will also directly send the proof of publishing to the court - so you don't have to do anything.
4) Show up at the court (this court can be different from the court where you filed your civil case in step 2 - pay attention).
5) The judge will call you (you will see a number of other people also there to change their names - hurray, you are not alone!). The judge will read (spell out) your new name - pay attention to the spelling. There is no real questioning on the reasons - so no need to be afraid or to prepare for anything.
6) The judge will sign.
That's it - your name is changed legally. You will get the original court order.
7) Go to the clerks to get a few attested copies of that original court order. Just in case.
Drive back feeling elated and lost at the same time.
Bootnotes - For many folks, this might be their first visit to US courts (as it was for me). Just make sure you give yourself plenty of time when you go for the hearing (step 4). There could be security checks, and parking issues.
In my case, I went to the court and kept looking for Dept 24 (where I was supposed to go). After some searching, I finally got an opportunity to ask someone. He didn't know but a person in the elevator overheard my question and shouted "across the street" just as the elevator door was closing. Obviously I didn't know if that answer was for me, and didn't even know if the same court had a part II across the street. But I pursued and finally got to the right place in time! Bless that person!
AFTER THE LEGAL NAME CHANGE
With a court document in hand, part II of your fun has just begun (this is where I am right now). Things to take care of, mostly in this order as far as I know (AFAIK):
1) Go to your Social Security office - take a number under "name change category". At the window, show court order (bring your work authorization). They will take your old SS Card. You will be mailed a new SS card in about two weeks. You should be able to open an online SS account now!
2) DMV - Update your name on your DL, and on your vehicles titles. They will ask for the new SS card.
3) Green card - Apply online for a replacement, with name change as a reason. Check USCIS website for getting your I-94 updated if you are on a VISA. In either case, you might have to go for an in-person interview.
By the way, you can also get your name changed when you are applying for US passport. Then you don't have to follow the State process.
4) Request name change at all your banks, financial institutions, office records, benefits, reward accounts/frequent flyer accounts etc. lease agreement, phone/internet contracts, utilities etc.
Note: File your taxes with your new name (AFAIK). However do not change the name on your W-2 while entering W-2 data. Your W-2 records should match whatever IRS has on their files.
Have fun, and hope this was helpful. Feel free to share your experiences as well.
Again, this blog is not a substitute for legal or tax advice. Consult an attorney for legal advice.
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