How Hard Is It To Change Your Name In Santa Clara County
Name changes in San Jose represent a major decision, whether pursuing a new name after a marriage or divorce, to better reflect your personality or gender, or to clarify miscommunications. While the process is not hard, meeting legal requirements and potential complications can make it more challenging.
To avoid costly and potentially time-consuming errors and delays, get our name change lawyer on your side. We explain common reasons for name changes, the legal steps required, and how our office can help.
Common Reasons For Name Changes In San Jose
Getting married is one of the most common reasons for name changes in San Jose. According to a 2024 Forbes report, roughly two-thirds of all women change their names after tying the knot. This means having to change your name back if the marriage doesn’t work out.
While marriage and divorce are frequently cited reasons, other common circumstances that may prompt someone to change their name include:
- Adoption or family blending, in which a child or an adult may change their name to match their family’s;
- To affirm your gender;
- To get distance from family or mistakes made in your past;
- To protect yourself and your privacy;
- To better reflect your personality or cultural heritage;
- To correct errors, such as misspellings or other mistakes on your birth certificate or other legal documents.
Changing Your Name in San Jose and How We Can Help
There are different reasons for wanting to change your name in San Jose, but the process is often the same. You need to complete the required forms, including a Name Change Petition (Form NC-100), file it with the Santa Clara County Court, pay filing fees, and attend a court hearing. Depending on the circumstances, you may be required to publish a notice of your intended name change in a local newspaper for four consecutive weeks (generally waived in domestic violence cases or to protect gender identity).
Once your name change is approved, you will receive a court order and can update your information with the Social Security Administration, Department of Motor Vehicles, banks, and other institutions. You are not required to have legal representation to request a name change in California, but having someone with experience on your side can provide the following benefits:
- Prevents errors in your petition that can result in costly delays and denial of your name change request;
- Ensures representation in court hearings, handling objections if someone decides to contest your name change;
- Guidance on additional legal actions you may need to take, such as in the case of divorce or adoption-related name changes;
- Helps update legal documents, including passports, professional licenses, and financial records.
Schedule A Consultation Today With Our Santa Clara County Name Change Lawyer
Getting a name change in San Jose can allow you to break free from the past and build a better future. Argyris Mah, LLP helps streamline the process and avoid costly and time-consuming mistakes. To discuss your options, contact our office. Schedule a consultation with our San Jose name change lawyer today.
Sources:
fortune.com/article/women-last-name-change-marriage-wedding-how-to-career-cost/#:~:text=Some%2083%25%20of%20women%20who,this%20falls%20further%20to%2068%25.
selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/jcc-form/NC-100
