Legal name change for a dear child???

[mrs joe bubby]

I have spent the weekend researching this and maybe I am just not searching correctly but it seems like there is not a lot of info out there! Background, in 2010 my dear son came to us and said he wanted a new first name. We had a talk about it and he had very good reasons and explained how he thinks his given name does not fit him and so forth. At the time we suggested that DS just explain to people that he preferred to be called "X" instead of "Y". We decided to tell him that if, after one year, he was still determined to change his name, at that time we would pursue a legal name change. Well one year later, to the day, DS approached us and stated that he was ready to "make a new name"?? So, that's where we are. From my research I can't tell how difficult it is. It kind of seems like you just need to fill out a series of forms and you can take them in to a judge yourself, but then some things I have read insist you need a lawyer. We would prefer to do it ourselves but will do what is needed. Does anyone have any resources about how to do this?? I am feeling incompetent right now.

[terrordactyl]

i would call the courthouse and ask them how they do it. i've heard its pretty easy just some forms and a fee

[tbone_kneegrabber]

you don't need a lawyer unless its really complicated family dynamics (two custodial parents one is against it etc).  I know loads of people who have changed their names.  You usually have to do some criminal background stuff, publish somewhere that your name will be changing etc.  (most of that stuff should be minimal because your kid is, well a kid)

Just call and ask what it takes, shouldn't be too much.  

http://www.namechangelaw.com/states/tn/tennesee.htm

http://www.tennesseenamechange.com/

[pigpokey]

It is not hard in Tennessee (unless it's harder for minors) but do you really want to spend more than $100 on this project?  Legally you can use another name for him as his call name, so it IS legal to use any name you want, as long as it's not to defraud or confuse.  So ... I would try to talk around this.  It's not lying, it is legal to give yourself a call name.  I'd certainly wait until he was older to do something expensive to undo. 

[whatsnextmom]

I'd go to the social security office. That's where I went when I got married and was changing my name. It certainly wasn't hard to do in that situation. I'm not sure why you'd need a lawyer to change a child's name. I'm guessing you'll need lots of identification but just go down and find out what forms you need.

[pigpokey]

You can't just go down to the social security office UNLESS you just got married, or you have a divorce decree restoring another name.

[whatsnextmom]

Originally Posted by pigpokey 

You can't just go down to the social security office UNLESS you just got married, or you have a divorce decree restoring another name.

You can't even go to ask questions? That was my point lol. The OP is struggling to find out HOW to change her sons name. I'd go straight to the source and ask personally.

[Linda on the move]

I'm curious how old your son is and what he wants to change his name to. Is he wanting to change both first and last names?