Legal Name Changes In San Antonio Texas
Whether your adoptive child wants to change their last name to yours or you want to change your difficult-to-spell name, the name-change process in Texas can be overwhelming. At The Cook Law Firm & Associates PLLC, in San Antonio, our family law attorneys can help guide you through the process of legally changing your name.
With more than 15 years of experience, our lawyers have a strong track record of helping clients meet their goals and overcome challenges. They know that the legal process is complicated. Their goal is helping make it as straightforward as possible so that each client can focus on their future.
What Are Some Accepted Reasons For Getting A Name Changed In Texas?
A court will not grant a change of name for just any reason. Rather, it must find that a legal name change is in the petitioner’s best interests.
Some reasons a court may decide to grant a name change are as follows:
- Being adopted
- Wanting to share the same last name with a partner
- Having a name that is difficult to spell
- Having a name that is associated with an infamous criminal
- Wanting to have a name associated with a developed pen name
- Wanting to disassociate with an abusive relative
- Wishing to change their name for security reasons after a person has been the victim of a crime or an identity theft
- Undergoing a change in a familial relationship
If the name change in San Antonio is for a child, then our attorneys must simply tell the court the reason for the change of name and confirm that the child lives in Bexar County. If the name change is for an adult, then a set of fingerprints is necessary, as well as confirmation that the adult is not a convicted felon.
How Long Does It Take To Get A Name Changed In Bexar County?
Every name-change case is different, and each step can take anywhere from a few days to a week to complete. Typically, the entire process, from finding an attorney to attending your name-change hearing, can take two weeks to a month to complete. The process involves disclosing necessary information to your lawyer so that they can write the petition for a name change, receiving the petition and getting it notarized, providing a set of fingerprints for the petition in compliance with the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and going to court for your hearing.
You must include certain information when you file a name-change petition according to the Texas Family Code. To change the name of a child, an adult must include the child’s current name and place of residence, the reason a change of name is requested, the full name requested for the child, whether the child is subject to the continuing exclusive jurisdiction of a court and whether the child is subject to the registration requirements. If the child is 10 years of age or older, then the child’s written consent to the change of name must be attached to the petition.
A petition to change the name of an adult must be verified and include the petitioner’s current name and place of residence, the full name requested for the petitioner, the reason the change in name is requested, whether the petitioner has been the subject of a final felony conviction, whether the petitioner is subject to the registration requirements and a legible and complete set of fingerprints.
Start Your Name-Change Journey Today
Whether the name change is for your child or for yourself, the petition and hearing process can be overwhelming to face on your own. Our attorneys have years of experience navigating the name-change process for adults and minors. You can trust them to help you gather the necessary information, file the petition and represent you in a hearing in front of a judge.
Call us at 210-740-0281 or fill out our online contact form to learn more about the name-change process.