Can you legally change your first name?

The Darkroom

I'm just wondering, is it possible to legally change your first name?

Somebody mentioned to me it can be done in America.

bee06

The Darkroom wrote: »

I'm just wondering, is it possible to legally change your first name?

Somebody mentioned to me it can be done in America.

Yeah, deed poll. https://www.courts.ie/deed-poll

Kimbot

https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/birth_family_relationships/problems_in_marriages_and_other_relationships/changing_your_name_by_deed_poll.html#

Graces7

In Scotland it is even easier. Declaration. When I asked a solicitor how to do it he replied, " If you want to be called Mickey Mouse, all you do is say you want to be called Mickey Mouse and that then is your legal name. "

All officials eg Social Security, passport office, accept it then.

banie01

Yes and even a deed poll may be unnecessary. In Ireland name change by common usage.
If you can present evidence of the name being used to commonly identify yourself and its done.

I know of a George, who is a Johnny to all and sundry even on his passport now without ever undertaking a Deed Poll.

The Darkroom

banie01 wrote: »

Yes and even a deed poll may be unnecessary. In Ireland name change by common usage.
If you can present evidence of the name being used to commonly identify yourself and its done.

I know of a George, who is a Johnny to all and sundry even on his passport now without ever undertaking a Deed Poll.

What if you name was once Thomas and you decide you quite like an Andrew because your great great grandfather was Andrew and you simply want a name change to reflect a desire to continue a family name? Would be acceptable then or does it only apply to people who have others call them a particular name and they must prove they're known by that popular name?

Peregrinus

The Darkroom wrote: »

What if you name was once Thomas and you decide you quite like an Andrew because your great great grandfather was Andrew and you simply want a name change to reflect a desire to continue a family name? Would be acceptable then or does it only apply to people who have others call them a particular name and they must prove they're known by that popular name?

Your name is what people call you; that what the word "name" means. The way you change your name is by getting people to call you something else. If people call you Thomas then that's your name; if you can get them to call you Andrew then that becomes your name. If some people call you Thomas and some people call you Andrew, congratulations, you have two names.

Your name, in other words, is a matter of fact. Strictly speaking, a deed poll doesn't change your name; it evidences the fact that your name has changed.

Your reason for wanting the name Andrew instead of Thomas is irrelevant - it may matter to you, but not to anyone else. Whatever your reason, all you have to do is ask your family and friends to call you Andrew instead of Thomas, and go about the tedious task of getting changes to records that include your name - your employer's records, your bank's records, utility bills, driving licence, passport, the works.

Where a deed poll comes in handy is in getting records changed. Some people will simply accept your assurance that you are now called Andrew - your employer might, for instance. Others are a bit warier because, e.g., your bank may fear your change of name could be an attempt to avoid creditors, or the driving licence people may be worried about identity theft. So they are more comfortable if they have something official-looking, and the deed poll is handy for this.

The passport office tends to be the pickiest. They'll probably want a deed poll plus other evidence that you have been using the new name for some time - e.g. utility bills, bank or employment records. They don't want to issue you with a passport naming you as Andrew unless you really, really are known as Andrew. The fact that you would like/i] to be known as Andrew is not enough for them.