Legal Question in Family Law in California

Re: Changing my name

You can go through the court procedure, which will produce records

of the change of name.

California is also a "common law" name change state. You may

legally change your name by using the name you wish to use for

all purposes. There is no obligation to get a court order. The

DMV will issue a new license upon your statement.

Jed Somit

Jed Somit, Attorney at Law

1440 Broadway - Suite 910

Re: Changing my name

Your question does not indicate whether your name was legally changed or your mother just changed your last name on your school, medical and other records.

The first thing you should do is determine how your mother changed your name. If she merely changed your name on your records then you have no need to change name by court procedure.

If your last name was legally changed then follow the instructions in the earlier comments.

Lyle Johnson

Lyle W. Johnson Attorney at Law

152 N. Third Street, Suite 510

Re: Changing my name

I'll assume you are over 18 years old. You need to file a request for change of name with the Superior Court. The notice will be published once a week for four weeks in a paper of general circulation. After that there would be a hearing and, most likely, your name will be changed. It can be changed to any name you wish. If granted, you would then serve a certified copy of the order on the Cal Sec of State, DMV, SocSec, etc. Take lots of copies to the hearing so they can be conformed and certified.

Your expense would be the initial filing fee ($188 probably), publishing ($75-150) and the certified copies (about $6 per page).

If you are under 18, your parent or guardian would have to make the motion on your behalf.

Matthew Kremer

Law Offices of Matthew M. Kremer

9665 Chesapeake Drive, Suite 310