Page "Name change" Paragraph 4

Usually a person can adopt any name desired for any reason.

As of 2009, 46 states allow a person legally to change names by usage alone, with no paperwork, but a court order may be required for many institutions ( such as banks or government institutions ) to officially accept the change.

Some states allow transgendered persons to change names either before or after sex reassignment surgery.

Although the states ( except part of Louisiana ) follow common law, there are differences in acceptable requirements ; usually a court order is the most efficient way to change names ( which would be applied for in a state court ), except at marriage, which has become a universally accepted reason for a name change.

It is necessary to plead that the name change is not for a fraudulent or other illegal purpose, such as evading a lien or debt or for defaming someone else.