Legally changing your last name.?

I've applied for the documents I'll need to file and I know I need to petition the courts. My questions- How do I petition the courts and does it cost to do this? Also, does anyone know how long it takes to have the process complete?
Answer:
The cost of the Petition is called a filing fee. Check with the clerk of courts in your jurisdiction or the court website for the fees. In most places you must publish your intent in the local news paper for 3-4 consecutive weeks. There is also a fee for that. Once that is done you have to file a certificate of publication and get a court date. Once a judge approves the petition, the order is usually effective immediately. How long the process takes depends largely on the court docket in your location. There is nothing you can do to speed up the required notifications. You will need a certified copy of the order to make the changes to your driver's license, etc. And social security will not change your name until have a picture ID in your new name. A name change will not be granted if one is doing it fro fraudulent purposes or to try to evade creditors.

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Yes it does cost you , and then you have to change drivers license, social security card, etc.

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The average cost of changing any part or your whole name varies from $1500.00 and up in most cases with the exception of getting married which cost next to nothing. The process on average takes any where from 3 months to 6 months . Even after all the changes are done you will still be responsible for any debts you still had under your old name or any other legal things which people think they can get away with by changing their names. Beyond that once the initial forms are excepted by the courts you will be given a court date so a judge can talk to you and decide if you have the right reasons for changing your name .