{"id":372823,"date":"2017-02-23T16:01:33","date_gmt":"2017-02-23T21:01:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/georgia-law\/how-to-change-your-name-in-georgia.html"},"modified":"2024-07-01T17:04:12","modified_gmt":"2024-07-01T22:04:12","slug":"how-to-change-your-name-in-georgia","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/georgia-law\/how-to-change-your-name-in-georgia.html","title":{"rendered":"How To Change Your Name and Gender Marker in Georgia"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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How To Change Your Name and Gender Marker in Georgia<\/h1>\n
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\n By Lark Lewis, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last reviewed\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

Georgia law offers a few ways to legally change your name<\/a>. The process you need to follow depends on the reason for your name change, whether marriage, divorce, or some other reason. If you’re changing your name as part of a gender transition process, you can also change your gender marker in Georgia.<\/p>\r\n

This article addresses the various ways to change your name in Georgia. It also discusses how to change your name with other government agencies. Finally, it covers how to change your gender marker in the state of Georgia.<\/p>\r\n

Identifying the Correct Name Change Process<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

As mentioned above, the process you’ll need to follow to change your name depends on the reason for your name change.<\/p>\r\n

Marriage<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

Marriage is the easiest time to change your name. Georgia law permits you to change your surname (last name) when applying for a state marriage license<\/a>. But Georgia’s marriage name change law<\/a> only works for changing your surname.<\/p>\r\n

When changing your last name through a marriage certificate, you have four options:<\/p>\r\n

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  1. Keep your given surname (the one you already have, often your maiden name)<\/li>\r\n
  2. Take a surname from a previous marriage<\/li>\r\n
  3. Take your spouse’s surname, or<\/li>\r\n
  4. Combine your surname with your spouse’s surname for a new married name<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n

    Just put your new name on your marriage certificate application. Your marriage license acts as proof of your new name. Get certified copies to submit to other government agencies as part of your name change process.<\/p>\r\n

    Divorce<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

    Many people change their names during a divorce<\/a>. Maybe you’re a divorcing parent and want to keep the same last name as your children. Or perhaps you no longer wish to have an association with your former spouse’s last name.<\/p>\r\n

    Georgia allows a court to restore a maiden or prior name<\/a> during the normal course of divorce proceedings<\/a>. Remember the importance of the marriage certificate in changing your name after marriage? The court’s final divorce decree<\/a> can restore your previous name. You can change your surname to any name you’ve had before.<\/p>\r\n

    Get copies of the court’s divorce decree. You’ll need them to complete your name change process with other agencies.<\/p>\r\n

    Petitioning the Court for a Name Change<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

    You may be changing your name for reasons other than marriage or divorce. Maybe you don’t like your name, or it doesn’t match your gender identity. Regardless of the reason, you must fill out name change forms and petition the court for a name change<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

    This process allows you to change your name to whatever you want, but you must go through the courts. Filing for an adult name change involves some legwork. You’ll need to:<\/p>\r\n