Legally Changing Your Name in Tennessee

Sometimes, you just don’t care for your given name. And in those cases, your name can be changed with a one-time Court appearance.  Below is information about legally changing your name in Tennessee.

A Petition For Name Change and a Court Order are required.

Under oath, before the Judge, your attorney will ask you questions about your desire to change your name.  This is to ensure the jud you are not doing so to avoid debts or crimes. So long as the Judge approves your Petition in Wilson, Smith, or Macon Counties, your name can be legally changed.

After Court, you will receive a Certified Copy of your Order of Name Change. This document can then be delivered to the State.  You will use this to update your birth certificate, driver’s license, and other documents reflecting your name.

If you are the custodial parent and choose to change your child’s name, that can also be accomplished with a Petition. Depending on the circumstances of your case, the Court may even allow you to change your child’s last name. Even without the adoption of that child by another parent.

Finally, a spouse often wants to return to a former name during a divorce. This can be accomplished in the Final Decree of Divorce, at the time of the divorce, or later. Your spouse can not legally stop you from returning your previous name, nor can he force you to give up his name.

If you have questions about legally changing your name in Tennessee, contact us at https://www.kane-law.com/contact-us/