Pretty simple question (I think) .....

[Brooke Wilde]

How easy (or hard) is it to change your legal name in the state of Texas?

Thanks in advance to those that reply,
Brooke

[oldbutstillgoing]

Do a google search How to Change your Name in Texas

[Brooke Wilde]

Why thank you. I hadn't though of that. <------ That's my sarcasm font.

Of course I looked on google. Lots of pages, with lots of words, and lots of stuff to read, but I could not find any solid requirements or restrictions so I thought I'd ask one of the awesome legal eagles around here that have always guided me in the right direction in the past.

[Unique_Carpenter]

Brooke,
Not that hard, but more than easy.
Fill out a bunch of paperwork for a court order. And, of course, some fun filing fees.

http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.u....45.htm#45.101

See Subchapter B

Highly recommend that this be discussed with an attorney in same county that you reside, as the paperwork needs to be "correct". (The petition and the "pre"-prepared court order)

Afterwards, must get new drivers licence and also notify Social Security (they'll usually ask for a copy of the court order or the certificate. So get extra copies).

[ShysterJon]

Do you want to officially change your name to Brooke Wild? Haha.

[Brooke Wilde]

Originally Posted by Unique_Carpenter

Brooke,
Not that hard, but more than easy.
Fill out a bunch of paperwork for a court order. And, of course, some fun filing fees.

http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.u....45.htm#45.101

See Subchapter B

Highly recommend that this be discussed with an attorney in same county that you reside, as the paperwork needs to be "correct". (The petition and the "pre"-prepared court order)

Afterwards, must get new drivers licence and also notify Social Security (they'll usually ask for a copy of the court order or the certificate. So get extra copies).

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! That link breaks it down perfectly. Not a lot of jibberish like I've found all over the net.

Sounds like it's something I could easily move forward with.

Originally Posted by ShysterJon

Do you want to officially change your name to Brooke Wild? Haha.

I laughed at that harder then I should have.

In all seriousness, I was adopted and while my mom and dad were phenomenal people and never made me feel anything less then their blood daughter, I never felt connected to anything and now that they have passed, I kind of feel like I am floating around, just here, lacking any real family so I've been thinking for a while that changing my name and giving myself a fresh start might help me some.

[instfixer]

After getting your name changed be sure to get a passport and a passport card. You will then be able to use those in place of a birth certificate.

My last name was changed in 1955 along with ~30 relatives to escape antisemitism because the last name sounded 'Jewish'. We are all Christians.

You will have trouble connecting past achievements [schooling, degrees etc] with the present you. Think twice.