There are many reasons people change their names. Marriage is a very common one, as is divorce, and some people choose a new name for professional reasons. Others simply don't feel the name they were given at birth is the right one for them, and want to make their own decision about what they'll be called. A name change is a fairly simple process in most places, and generally one you can handle on your own, without the help of a lawyer. Learn more here.
Changing Your Name: The Basics
The basic info you'll need to understand how a legal name change works.
Changing Your Name - Or Your Child's - After Divorce
After a divorce, many people want to change their last name. Here's how it works.
Find out whether the family court would allow you to change your child's name.
After you've changed your name, you need to be sure notify the proper people and agencies.
How to Change Your Name in California
This book gives California residents step by step instructions for completing a name or gender change.