{"id":371386,"date":"2017-03-29T11:24:08","date_gmt":"2017-03-29T16:24:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/alabama-law\/how-to-change-your-name-in-alabama.html"},"modified":"2022-08-24T15:38:16","modified_gmt":"2022-08-24T20:38:16","slug":"how-to-change-your-name-in-alabama","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/alabama-law\/how-to-change-your-name-in-alabama.html","title":{"rendered":"How to Change Your Name in Alabama"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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How to Change Your Name in Alabama<\/h1>\n
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\n By FindLaw Staff<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Lark Lewis, J.D.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

A name change isn’t necessarily a difficult legal task, but it does require some research, preparation, and paperwork. You’ll need to obtain some form of legal proof of a name change, most often a certified copy of your marriage certificate, divorce decree, or a court order changing your name. Then you’ll use that proof to obtain a new Social Security card and driver’s license before updating other official documents and records.<\/p>\r\n

Figuring out how to change your name in Alabama depends on which path is best for you. We’ll cover:<\/p>\r\n

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  1. Identifying the right process for you (marriage, divorce, or court petition)<\/a><\/li>\r\n
  2. Filing forms with government agencies<\/a><\/li>\r\n
  3. Starting to use your new name once it’s changed<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n

    <\/a>1. Marriage, Divorce, and Petitioning a Court<\/h2>\r\n

    Getting Married<\/h3>\r\n

    We’ve been changing our last names after marriage<\/a> for hundreds of years. It’s a time-honored tradition and easily the most frequent reason people have for changing their names. States already regulate marriage by issuing marriage licenses<\/a>, so changing your name at the same time is straightforward.<\/p>\r\n

    Before getting married, apply for a marriage license at your county’s probate court. Fill in the application form and, if prompted, list your new name on the form. Once married, a marriage certificate will be issued to you. That marriage certificate serves as proof of a name change, so it’s best to obtain a few certified copies of it.<\/p>\r\n

    Going Through a Divorce<\/h3>\r\n

    Many divorcing spouses wish to return to their former, premarital name after a divorce. Since a court has to order a divorce<\/a>, a party can normally ask to resume using their former name and the judge will include that name change in the final divorce decree.<\/p>\r\n

    Obtaining a name change during your divorce proceeding is easier than changing your name post-divorce. You’ll have to petition for a change of name if you didn’t request the name change during your divorce process.<\/p>\r\n

    Petitioning a Court<\/h3>\r\n

    You can change your name for other reasons as well, including as part of a gender transition process. Alabama permits residents to petition their local probate court to request a name change<\/a>. This is a separate legal proceeding and will be more involved.<\/p>\r\n

    The exact requirements differ from county to county and court to court, but you should be prepared to:<\/p>\r\n