Changing a Name on the Cheap

Question

How does one go about changing one's name on the cheap?

Answer 1

If one is 18 years of age or older, the least expensive way for one to change one's name in California is by the usage method. This is as simple as it sounds: You use your new name in all aspects of your personal, social and business life. No court action is necessary. It costs nothing. And it is legally valid. 

The key is consistency. You must use the same name with everyone, all the time. Someone who uses a new name in only one part of life has not made a legal name change. For instance, an actor who uses a new stage name only on the stage has not changed his name.

If you are under 18 -- as so many of you Web surfers are these days -- you must use the court petition method to change your name. This, in brief, involves filling out the correct paperwork and filing it in your local court with the correct fee. A short notice stating that you are changing your name is published in a local newspaper. Assuming no one comes forward to object to your name change, it will likely be approved without even so much as a court hearing. The cost for this method is $185 for the court fee and between $40 and $200 for the publication fees.