Name Change

You can change your name for almost any reason. However, the reason cannot be illegal or fraudulent. For example, to avoid your debts.

The judge may ask you a few questions about the reason for your name change or your background.

Some common reasons to change your name are:

• Getting married,
• Getting divorced (learn more about name change after divorce),
• You don't like your current name,
• Making a political statement,
• For a religious reason, or
• Avoiding an abuser. #namechange,
  
  
  

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There are various reasons for requesting a name change. It may be based on events such as divorce, or it may simply be based on dissatisfaction with the name. Some other fairly common reasons include:

• Taking the natural father's name (e.g., after being born out of wedlock or adopted).
• Changing to the mother's maiden name (e.g., after a divorce).
• Identifying with a foreign nationality (e.g., to show grandparents' nationality).
• A cumbersome name (e.g., difficult to spell and/or pronounce).
• Professional identity (e.g., legally maintaining a maiden name or changing to a pen name).
• Gay or lesbian (e.g., both partners want to share the same last name).

There are inappropriate reasons for changing a name that will result in denial of the application and even consequences. For example, the new name cannot be identical to a celebrity or other famous individual, if the intent is to defraud others. In addition, you cannot change your name to avoid debts.

Name Change As Part Of Your Divorce Decree

In Illinois as in most states, the easiest way to change your name due to divorce is to make it a part of the divorce decree itself. When done this way, no separate legal actions or fees are necessary.

• On general divorce decree forms that are valid in most if not all U.S. states, there is normally a section that authorizes a name change as part of the decree.
• This process, however, entitles you only to revert to your maiden name or another former legal name. Otherwise, you will have to undertake a separate legal process