Legal Question in Family Law in Texas

Say my name is Mary Smith and I am getting married to Joe Garcia. The ceremony will change my last name to Mary Garcia. Is there a way I can, at that same time, get my legal name to be Merry Garcia?

Thank you . . . Linda Burns

I did not find a catagory I thought this question fit in to.


Asked on 12/04/10, 10:03 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Mark Dunn Mark D. Dunn

Technically, name changes don't happen at weddings.

You'd have to file a petition for name change and go through the courts.

In Texas, it is legal to use any name you want, as long as you aren't trying to defraud anybody or hide from the law. However, you still have to use your LEGALname - the name on your driver's license - in banking transactions, real estate sales, etc.

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Answered on 12/09/10, 11:54 am


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