I was wondering if anyone could help me with an issue I've been having. I've wanted to change my last name from my father's (who walked out on my mother when I was five) to my mother's maiden name (the family that raised me) before entering the academy. I haven't been able to so until I turned 18. Having recently turned 18, is there anyway I could possibly so this? I am class of 2018 by the way.
Name change
- Thread starter joshcar95
- Start date
State laws regulate name changes so that would be the first place to start. However, with all the paperwork required ahead of you...ask yourself if now is the right time? A name change will impact every form of id your currently have so...why not wait until you are all settled in?
Classof2018
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Amazingly enough, I am in the same predicament as you are.
I have emailed both USNA and USMA's regional directors and they both told me that 1.) you should make the decision to keep or change your last name BEFORE entering the military, and 2.) all I had to do was send them the legal paperwork indicating my name has changed.
Of course, going through the legal process to change the name is the hard part, but I much rather go through the pain to ensure I carry on the family name that actually means something to me. I personally have decided to change my name and am currently undergoing the legal process. It's up to you, but like the regional directors I'd recommend you make a decision now and stick with it.
I have emailed both USNA and USMA's regional directors and they both told me that 1.) you should make the decision to keep or change your last name BEFORE entering the military, and 2.) all I had to do was send them the legal paperwork indicating my name has changed.
Of course, going through the legal process to change the name is the hard part, but I much rather go through the pain to ensure I carry on the family name that actually means something to me. I personally have decided to change my name and am currently undergoing the legal process. It's up to you, but like the regional directors I'd recommend you make a decision now and stick with it.
majmattmason
10-Year Member
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- Jan 11, 2008
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Well you'll be in good company regarding name changes, intended or otherwise, i.e. Hiram Ulysses Grant, a.k.a. Ulysses S. Grant. http://www.ask.com/question/how-did-hiram-ulysses-grant-change-his-name
I think this is very common. Your reason may be unique, but many times when people get married, one takes the other's last name. I suspect the paperwork regards the military is fairly routine for this reason. And, yes, probably even easier before entering.
Regards the legal process, I think you will find that pretty easy, too. Lawyer up ... Ask about total costs, but I suspect for a few hundred $ you will spend about 5 minutes in front of a busy judge, whose entire interest will be nothing more than 'are you trying to evade something or defraud someone by making the change.'
Regards the legal process, I think you will find that pretty easy, too. Lawyer up ... Ask about total costs, but I suspect for a few hundred $ you will spend about 5 minutes in front of a busy judge, whose entire interest will be nothing more than 'are you trying to evade something or defraud someone by making the change.'
parentalunit2
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I do not believe a court appearance is necessary for a legal name change; this obviously depends on the state of residence. I changed my last name in Virginia a few years ago. All it took was a notarized statement from me stating the intended name change and I mailed that in to the county court. I then received an official copy of the court order signed by a judge a few weeks later. My total cost was five bucks for the notary. Start with your county’s website to find out what is required. That may lead you to your state’s website, but just like marriage licenses, I believe this is handled at the county level.
Get started, like, today on this. If you start now, time is on your side. Believe me, you only want one name on all your military records. Best of luck to you!
Get started, like, today on this. If you start now, time is on your side. Believe me, you only want one name on all your military records. Best of luck to you!
ca2midwestmom
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Agreed! Think about how many women change their name when getting married (and change it back when getting divorced or remarried). I don't remember the process being that time consuming or expensive, and I definitely didn't appear before a judge. Remember, though, that once you get your name legally changed you will also need to change your driver's license, passport (if you have one), any financial accounts/bills in your name (which may be minimal since you just turned 18), etc. It's not a big deal to do, but often time consuming. You just need the official document from the court everytime you want your records changed, but I agree -- if you really want to do this, get it done before entering the SA.