Return to Birth Name After Using Other Name 45 Years

[AbideEthicalLaw]

in California
When my mother re-married her 2nd husband and had custody of us, we started using step-parent's surname, probably at my mother's encouragement.
It's now 45 years later. I have decided to return to the birth name, and I won't bother to go into all the reasons why this should be done, because they are personal and involve family emotions and other truths (some dark and related to the person whose last name I am using now). Anyway it's the right thing to do.

I now have to change a number of documents, as you can imagine: Social Security card, drivers license, names on loans, office placards at work (yeah, my colleagues will get a kick out of that...probably think I am in witness protection)...it will be a chore.

But before I do any of that, do I have to petition some court to announce the name change? After all, my use of the current last name was not the result of a legal process when I was a kid. What's involved?

 

[justalayman]

If all of those documents are using your assumed name, you will either have to go to court to change your name back or use your birth name for a period of time (not sure but 5 years sticks in my head for some reason) after which you can change the documents to your new assumed name.

 

[LdiJ]

in California
When my mother re-married her 2nd husband and had custody of us, we started using step-parent's surname, probably at my mother's encouragement.
It's now 45 years later. I have decided to return to the birth name, and I won't bother to go into all the reasons why this should be done, because they are personal and involve family emotions and other truths (some dark and related to the person whose last name I am using now). Anyway it's the right thing to do.

I now have to change a number of documents, as you can imagine: Social Security card, drivers license, names on loans, office placards at work (yeah, my colleagues will get a kick out of that...probably think I am in witness protection)...it will be a chore.

But before I do any of that, do I have to petition some court to announce the name change? After all, my use of the current last name was not the result of a legal process when I was a kid. What's involved?

Do you have a copy of your birth certification showing your correct last name? If not, can you get one? If you are absolutely certain that your mother did not have your name legally changed, then you should be able to straighten everything out with your birth certificate.

 

[Ohiogal]

Do you have a copy of your birth certification showing your correct last name? If not, can you get one? If you are absolutely certain that your mother did not have your name legally changed, then you should be able to straighten everything out with your birth certificate.

The SS card means there had to have been some sort of legal name change done.

 

[LdiJ]

The SS card means there had to have been some sort of legal name change done.

Maybe, but 45 years ago things were a little looser getting SSNs for children. For example, I am 59 and I believe that I was an adolescent or teen when my parents got my SSN, and I am not sure that my birth certificate was required. SSN's for dependents were not required until 1987 on tax returns, so I am pretty sure that mom and dad got all of our numbers the first time I was going to work for someone for pay.

When my daughter was born I had until she was age 2 to get her SSN (29 years ago), and I honestly do not remember if I had to produce her BC or not. However that was right during the transition time when the IRS began to require dependents SSNs on tax returns.

I know that today the applications for children's SSNs happen straight from the hospital and no change could happen without legal documentation. I am just not sure that it couldn't happen 45 years ago.