There are many reasons why one may wish to change their legal name. They may have gone by something other than their birth name since the time they were a child. Others may have not changed their name following a divorce but wish to revert to a maiden name now. There are other additional reasons that make one wish to change their legal name. Fortunately, Nevada’s adult name change laws allow the process to proceed relatively painlessly. As a Las Vegas name change attorney I have handled many such matters. Call my office today to speak with a lawyer.
Nevada’s name change process allows Las Vegas residents to complete the process relatively easily
There are multiple steps involved in getting a Nevada Court to order your name changed. First, one must file what is referred to as a “Verified Petition” with the Court. This Petition must contain, among other things, the following information:
- Your current name
- What you wish to change your name to
- The reason for the name change
- Certain information regarding any criminal history you may have
If your Petition is not correct then you may wind up going through the entire process only to have the Court deny your request. This would make you begin the process anew and is the reason why filing your initial documents correctly is as important in a name change as in any other legal matter.
Once your Petition has been filed you must go through a process known as “Publication.” During this time you will publish a notice, in an appropriate circular, that you are changing your name and what it is you will be changing your name to. This portion of the process allows any people, who may have a legitimate reason for challenging your name change, to step forward. The period of publication is one week in Las Vegas and throughout Nevada.
After completion of Publication there may be a short Court hearing in which your attorney will assist you in answering any questions the Court may have regarding your name change. The Court will typically sign the Order at this hearing. After that, your lawyer will help you take the appropriate steps to ensure that your new name is registered with the necessary governmental agencies.
Las Vegas residents must understand the legal effects of a Nevada name change
Changing your name in Nevada allows you to, among other things, amend your birth certificate to reflect your new name. You are then able to do things such as change your driver’s license and your legal name with the Social Security Administration. Changing your name, however, does not do things such as erase criminal records or forgive debts that may have been held under another name. If you have been convicted of a felony, the Court can deny your request for a name change.
My office handles Nevada name changes on a regular basis and understands the process involved. Contact us online or by telephone to speak with a Las Vegas lawyer.
