Legal Question in Family Law in Georgia

Name change - Dropping first name upon marriage

I am a resident of Dekalb County, Georgia.I have

recently gotten married, and I am taking my

husband's last name. I would like to drop my first

name and use my middle-maiden-married

names

When I tried to do this on my Georgia driver�s

license, I was told I would need to get a superior

court order to drop my first name.

All three names I choose to use as a married

woman (''middle-maiden-married'') are indicated

on my marriage license. In addition, Social

Security granted my request without any trouble.

I find it confusing that Dekalb County would allow

me to drop either my middle or maiden names

without a petition to the court and the associated

fees. Yet, to drop my first name, I am told I must

petition the court and pay about $100 in fees.

Is it indeed the law of Georgia that I must petition

the court to drop my first name, even in a case

such as this? Also, must my name on file with the

state of Georgia match my name on file with the

federal government (social security)?

Thank you very much.


Asked on 12/29/00, 12:41 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Glenn Loewenthal Glenn Loewenthal, P.C.

Re: Name change - Dropping first name upon marriage

Whenever you change your name legally, it is done through the court. Even when you are married your marraige certificate is done through the court establishing a new last name. thus, to change any part of your name legally, you must file a petition in the Superior Court, pay a filing and publication fee, and get a court order.

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Answered on 1/01/01, 10:45 am


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