Ok, we let my 7yo change her name about 6 months ago. Long story, but the short version is that we felt she had a valid reason and had been thinking about it for quite awhile. Really it wasn't that big of a change she just dropped part of her first name and put her middle name it it's place. She did come up with a new middle name. We LOVE her name and it fits her so much better. Anyway, now that we've tried it on for 6 months and we are all happy we'd like to make it legal. Who do I contact? Any ideas? Social security, vital records? do we go to court? Thanks.
Vikki, we changed our grandson's last name before we adopted him and we went through probate court. We had to list it in the newspaper for 2 months and pay $75.00. We did not have to go to court, it was just paper work. Of course, then you have to notify, social security, doctor offices, anything that her name would be on, etc. I'm pretty sure that was all we had to do. They were very helpful when I called. I'm not sure if this is just in Ohio or in Colorado too. Hope this is helpful.
Begin by calling the Clerk Of the Court's office in your area. Tell them what you want to do and they'll help you from there. We changed my son's last name after I remarried. We had papers to fill out, a notice went in the paper, and we were informed it was granted. No court appearance or any of that. It is true you must the notify SS and every other place you have dealings with. It was easy and fast.
Brittney Ann is pretty but Brianne Marie has more flow to it. It looks pretty, too. I'm a wacko with things like that. I don't call my daughter 'Jean' I call her Jeanne, because I think it looks better. My daughter is Jeannie Marie, by the way.. not Genie Marie! Lol.
I got a response from the court and I have a bunch of forms to fill out, but at least now I have a starting point. Looks like it'll cost right around $70. It will certainly be easier to do this now rather than later. Even at age 14 it gets more complicated.
when I was born my name was Donna. When I was adopted my mom changed it to Amy Marie Yates----I always thought I had the coolest initials as a kid.
I would love to hear why she wanted to change her name. It seems strange since parent usually put lots of thought and time into picking the perfect name for their lovely baby. She must have had a good reason for you to agree with her. What did your parents and family say? Lorna
Becky, I have FITS with people who call Phillip "Phil", so I know exactly what you mean! Especially when it's FAMILY!!!
Amy- I never realized your middle name is Marie!!! Is it?? Man.. I have to get off the Slow Train... Sllooooooooowwwwww Trainnnnnnnn......
I had my name legally changed (last name) at 16. I think we just went through the probate court, it was really easy. Just curious too, where in CO are you? I'm in Eaton.
Jackie, I call Jeannie 'Jeanne'- it rhymes with 'bean'. I just don't like how Jean looks when you write it. Dean's family was telling everyone her name was JeannieMarie- all one word! I don't know where that even came from.
Actually, I let my mother sway my decision originally and based on her reaction I let us be talked out of using Natalia Marie for dd. So we scrambled and came up with Brittney Ann. I wanted to name her Ann "something" for Anne of Green Gables(my best friend growing up). However, my dh had an aunt named Ann and we didn't want it to seem like she was being named after her. We had decided a long time before children that they should have their own names - not family ones. Anyway, I was never really sold on the name and about the time she turned 1, I started hearing a lot about Britney Spears and I really wasn't happy with that association. Then we ended up shortning her name to Brit quite frequently, in my mind it was too close to brat. Not a good association. Anyway, it just didn't sit right with me, but I had trouble getting past those harsh "t's" to finish her name and so did everyone else. With the harsh ending she finally confessed that she felt like she was in trouble everytime someone said her name. She always felt like she was being yelled at. I just didn't want her to have bad feelings coming from her name. Life is difficult enough without struggling over your name. It was a long process to get to Brianne, but we're all happy. The family was thrilled to change, as they all admitted they didn't like the name either. Her friends have had the most difficulty, only because they're having trouble understanding why. She is a completely different child since the change. She's much more optimistic, helpful and cheerful. I didn't realize how much a name could affect someone until we allowed her to change hers. In honor of what should've been her birth name she chose Marie as her new middle name.
My dad's side of the family always called me "Jacqueline", and mom's side was "Jackie". Except my aunt, who always called me "Jackie Sue" :roll: , which I never really liked, but gave up correcting her. My uncle is an Assembly of God pastor, and he did my wedding. I told him at the rehearsal that I wanted him to use "Jacqueline". He wrote it in in his notes, lol!
I let my spouse shoot down Lily and Lucy, my first choices for Jeannie's name. Lucy woulkd have fit her just as easily as Jeannie has. GRRR. I should have named her after me, then he'd have to hear my name twice as much! Lol.
I was actually looking at Lucy, Sophie, and Lily. Dean gave a bunch of static so at the last minute I came up with Jeannie Marie, which is the name of an old friend. He wanted to name her after an actress of ill repute. I'm like, you're worried about everyone's reaction to my choices and you choose the name of a porn star?? Idiot.
