I am a legal adult and want to change my last and middle name. I called to see what I would need to do, and all the elderly lady said was that I would need to hire an attorney. I know enough about the law to know that you can represent yourself, and don't need an attorney. Where do I get the paperwork? (She stated on the phone that the courts hold no paperwork on namechanges, that's why I needed an attorney.) Any idea how much it costs?How do I change my name in Mobile, Al?I just went through the same thing. I couldn't find anything but BS online, and the courts were no help! %26quot;We refer everyone to an attorney...%26quot; You're right! You can represent yourself! I found this online @ http://secure.uslegalforms.com/lawsummar鈥?/a>
%26quot;The process for obtaining a name change for an adult in the state of Alabama begins with the filing of a Petition and Declaration for Change of Name with the Probate Court in the jurisdiction in which the Petitioner resides. The Petition informs the Court of the Petitioner's name and the name the Petitioner wishes to adopt.
After the Petition is filed and the required fee is paid, the Court may or may not set the Petition for a hearing. If a hearing is scheduled, the Court may inquire into the circumstances surrounding the Petition and the reasons for the name change request. If, from the Petition and Declaration, with or without a hearing, it appears to the court that the Petitioner is entitled to the requested relief, the court will issue a Decree Confirming Declaration as to Change of Name. Therefore, the Petitioner is entitled to use the new name.%26quot;
You can find the forms (2 Consecutive Pages), pay the filing fee ($12), and then possibly pay the court costs ($100?), wait a bit, and then send off for your birth certificate, change your social security card, and your I.D., and then you're good to go! I don't know where my mom got the actual forms, I think she just ran them off the US Legal site.... or possibly got them from a lawyer friend, BUT once you do find them, the rest is gravy.How do I change my name in Mobile, Al?You should be able to get a paralegal agency to prepare the paperwork for about 100 dollars or so. It should be just a petition to the court for a name change.
Court costs for a name change run about $250 or so. Just file the petition to the local courthouse, and they will set you up an appointment to appear before the judge.
And, yes, you can represent yourself before the court. Make sure you get the record of name change from the clerk's office after they award you your name change. You might spend a grand total of 2 minutes before the judge - if that. Your petition and court fee may be enough.
There is no reason to hire an attorney for something as simple as a name change.
