Editing Name change (section)

===Official registration===
The legal name change process is usually different from simple usage and includes notifying various government agencies, each of which may require legal proof of the name change and that may or may not charge a fee. Important government agencies to be notified include the [[Social Security Administration]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://faq.ssa.gov/link/portal/34011/34019/Article/3749/ |title=How do I change or correct my name on my Social Security number card? |work=Social Security Administration |access-date=November 12, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160102072805/https://faq.ssa.gov/link/portal/34011/34019/Article/3749/ |archive-date=January 2, 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref> (generally following statutory law, not common law),<ref>{{cite web |url=https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0110212015 |title=Program Operations Manual System (POMS): RM 10212.015 Evidence Requirements to Process a Name Change on the SSN |date=April 16, 2012 |work=Social Security Administration |access-date=July 13, 2021}}</ref> [[Bureau of Consular Affairs]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://travel.state.gov/passport/npic/agencies/agencies_913.html |title=U.S. Passports & International Travel |work=U.S. Department of State}}</ref> (for [[United States passport|passports]]),<ref>{{cite web |url=https://fam.state.gov/FAM/08FAM/08FAM040301.html |title=8 FAM 403.1-4 Material Discrepancies (Major name changes) |date=August 7, 2018 |website=Foreign Affairs Manual |publisher=United States Department of State |access-date=October 15, 2019}}</ref> the [[Federal Communications Commission]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://transition.fcc.gov/Forms/Form605/605.html |title=FCC Form 605 |work=Federal Communications Commission |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140422032207/http://transition.fcc.gov/Forms/Form605/605.html |archive-date=April 22, 2014}}</ref> the [[Selective Service System]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sss.gov/regisrantsbk.htm#RegistrantObligations |title=Registrant Obligations |website=Selective Service System |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329020540/http://www.sss.gov/regisrantsbk.htm#RegistrantObligations |archive-date=March 29, 2015}}</ref> and the Department of Motor Vehicles (for a new driver's license, learner permit, state identification card, or vehicular registration). Additionally the new name must be registered with other institutions such as employers, banks, doctors, mortgage, insurance and credit card companies. Online services are available to assist in this process either through direct legal assistance or automated form processing.

Most states require name changes to be registered with their departments of motor vehicles (DMVs) within a certain amount of time, and some state motor vehicle departments require updated social security cards to make changes, by first registering a new name with the Social Security office.

The fees for registering a new name vary from state to state. The forms, along with the state-specific requirements, can generally be obtained for free.

Many states will require reasons for wanting a name change. For example, in Florida, a court will not grant a petition for a change of name if it finds that (i) the petitioner has ulterior or illegal motives in seeking the name change, (ii) the petitioner's civil rights are suspended, or (iii) granting the name change will invade the property rights (''e.g.'', intellectual property rights) of others.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://abcfamilylaw.com/practice-areas/change-of-name |title=Change of Name |website=ABC Family Law |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101128015829/http://www.abcfamilylaw.com/practice-areas/change-of-name |archive-date=November 28, 2010}}</ref>