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Name Change in Georgia: Who, What, Where, When and Why?

From marriage and divorce to adoption and more, there’s countless reasons people change their names. Here’s how to successfully navigate a name change in Georgia.

change of name in georgia with spooner law office A name change is something that many people may contemplate or decide to undertake at least once in their lifetime, for any number of reasons. While it is a legal process, it is actually one of the most simple and painless to go through—especially when you have the help of an experienced lawyer.

There are so many different reasons people seek to change their names. Marriage and divorce are perhaps the most obvious, but they are certainly not the only triggers for a name change. Adoption, of course, would likely result in a change of name. Immigration can also be a reason to change one’s name. While many people who immigrate to the United States wish to keep all ties with their heritage, there are some who would prefer to be known by a more “Americanized” name. Or perhaps you simply do not like the name your parents chose for you and would prefer to go by something else. (I am wondering what Kim Kardashian and Kanye West’s little North and Saint West are going to think of their monikers as adults.)

Once you’ve decided a name change is needed, where do you begin? Obtaining a name change in Georgia is fairly straightforward. The process involves filing a petition with the court, publishing a notice in the local newspaper for a period of four consecutive weeks, and finally appearing before a judge to obtain an order changing your name. That order can then be used to order new copies of all of your most important identifying documents, such as your Social Security card, birth certificate and driver’s license.

Your name is an important component of your personal identity and changing it is an empowering move which should not be taken lightly. There are specific procedures that go beyond this starting guide to a name change in Georgia, so it’s important to speak with your attorney to make sure that you are following the law.  If you are looking for an attorney to guide you through a name change or any other parts of the divorce or adoption process, look no further than the family law attorneys of Spooner & Associates. Call us at (678) 714-1131.

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The law offices of Spooner and Associates, P.C. provides quality family law for North Metro Atlanta Counties (including Gwinnett County, Barrow County, Forsyth County, Jackson County, Walton County, Hall County, Forsyth County, and North Fulton County), which includes the cities of Suwanee, Lawrenceville, Duluth, Alpharetta, Atlanta, Sugar Hill, Buford, John’s Creek, Milton, Cumming, Gainesville, Oakwood, Snellville, Winder, Monroe, Dacula (including Hamilton Mill), Auburn, Braselton, Hoschton, and Jefferson.