Legal Question in Family Law in Georgia

Adult Legal Name Change

I want to change my last name and I have all the forms I need to do so in GA. My last name on my birth certificate (i.e Jones) is not the name I have been using all of my life (i.e Smith) and I want my birth certificate to be changed to the name I have used my entire life. My mother changed my name to my father's last name when I was two years old, but not legally. Everything about me, my education, medical history, career, credit, identification, social security, etc is under the name that my mother changed on her own. How do I fill out the form, when it asks ''what is your current'' name? Would this be the last name I am using now or the last name on my birth certificate? What name should be the ''petitioner'' and under what name should I sign the documents, the birth certificate last name or the last name I use? Keep in mind all my identification, etc is under the last name I have been using all my life. I have nothing under the last name on my birth certificate.


Asked on 9/27/04, 3:36 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Glenn M. Lyon, Esq. MacGREGOR LYON, LLC, Business Attorneys

Re: Adult Legal Name Change

You should use your legal name - the name on your birth certificate. Your legal name does not change until you do so with the courts. Otherwise, people could dodge creditors, etc.

If you would like to discuss any issues further, please feel free to contact my office. My contact information is below. Thank you.

Glenn M. Lyon, Esq

MacGregor Lyon, LLC

Promenade II

1230 Peachtree Street NE

Suite 1900

Atlanta Georgia 30309

Phone 404.942.3545

Fax 404.795.0993

[email protected]

www.macgregorlyon.com

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Answered on 9/27/04, 3:48 pm


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