NY Legal Name Change Lawyer Blog

Monday, January 19, 2026

The Legal Name Change Process

The Legal Name Change Process

The process involves petitioning the civil court in New York City ( or the Supreme Court outside of New York City ) for a legal name change with proof of birth, citizenship, and proof of residence as exhibits. You prove your birth and citizenship with your birth certificate, US passport, and Naturalization Certificate. Legal Permanent Residences may also file for a legal name change with proof of residency: the Green Card and a copy of the identification of the foreign passport or foreign birth certificate. Foreign birth certificates require a certified translation to English.

To prove residence, you need two billing statements that are addressed to you at a New York residence that are current within 90 days of filing. You can do this with utility bills ( gas, electric, etc.) a cell phone bill pdf copy or pdf statements from a bank or credit card company. Please redact account and financial information if you use a bank or credit card statement for this purpose.

Its also a good idea to provide a redacted copy of the social security card with the number crossed out to have the name change order recite the name that is in Social Security administration records when you update your social security records.

Christopher Tompkins is an Attorney that has been handling Legal Name Change Matters for over 20 years in New York City, Long Island, and Westchester. Contact him at 212 962-5363. Email: NameChangeLawyer@gmail.com. Visit his website at http://www.ny-legal-name-change-lawyer.com/

Monday, January 12, 2026

Legal Name Change Concerns for Green Card Holders ( Legal Permanent Residents) with Foreign Passports

For Legal Permanent Residents ( Green Card Holders) , you would have to go to your country's consulate or embassy to modify the name on your foreign passport after a legal name change order is issued in a New York Court . Please check with your country's consulate to see if your country will accept a New York name change order to change the name on your passport before you petition for a legal name change order in New York. Some countries like Brazil will not accept an order from the State of New York. But most countries will accept it.

Saturday, December 13, 2025

How the Legal Name Change Process Affects Your Ability to Travel

Legally changing your name will not affect your ability to travel as long as you do not plan a trip using the new name before the new name is applied to your green card, passport, and State Identification ( license or NYS ID) after the legal name change order is signed.

In other words, after you obtain the legal name change order from the court, you can still travel under the old name up until the time you change the name on your green card, passport, and Driver's license ( or NYS ID card). After you amend these identification documents with the new name, then you can plan a trip and travel with the new name. Until then, you would plan and travel under the old name.

A state court legal name change order does not automatically change over Federal Identification documents and your NYS Driver's License ( or State ID). You have to be proactive and apply to do that for each identification card or document after you obtain a legal name change order.

Saturday, December 6, 2025

How long does it take to get a name change in Manhattan Civil Court.

As of October 2025, processing times for legal name change petitions to get signed orders have significantly changed in the Manhattan Civil Court. What used to take approximately 2 to 3 weeks now takes approximately 6 to 8 weeks due to backlogs in the court system. There is limited manpower despite the large influx of new cases due to the real ID law. Expect a waiting time of at least a month and a half to get your name change order signed.

Sunday, October 9, 2022

Name Change Order, Birth Certificates, Marriage Certificates, and the need for an Apostille.

Name Change Orders, Birth Certificates, Marriage Certificates and the need for an Apostille

Today many Americans are seeking dual citizenship with European countries that are part of the European Union (EU). Many Americans can derive Citizenship from EU countries from their foreign born parents or grandparents. Among other reasons, some Americans do this to be able to obtain an EU passport. An EU passport is a passport issued by one of the 27 member states of the European Union which allows travel visa-free between all EU countries, and to a large number of third-countries the EU has bilateral agreements with.

To obtain dual Citizenship with an EU country, Americans must demonstrate their relationship to their foreign born parents or foreign born grandparents who were born in an EU country. To demonstrate relationship to a family member born abroad in an EU country like Italy or Ireland for example, the person attempting to acquire European citizenship would have to provide birth certificates, and in some cases, marriage certificates and name change orders.

In most cases, foreign countries will not accept American birth certificates, marriage certificates and name change orders without an Apostille. Apostilles authenticate the seals and signatures of officials on these public documents.

The authentication certifies the signature and capacity of the official who executed the document. The New York Secretary of State authenticates public documents with the Apostille for use in foreign countries which is issued pursuant to the 1961 International Hague Convention by treaty with Hague Convention member countries.

The documents in question must be public documents issued in New York State and signed by a notary public, a County Clerk, or a State official. The necessity for an apostille is determined by the foreign country or destination.

The Law Office of Christopher Tompkins can assist you with obtaining an Apostille for a birth certificate, marriage certificate, and name change order.

Tuesday, June 14, 2022

No Longer a Name Change Publishing Requirement But Service of the Name Change Order on Government Agencies May Still Be Required.

No Longer a Name Change Publishing Requirement But Service of the Name Change Order on Government Agencies May Still Be Required.

As of December 31, 2021, there is no longer a name change publishing requirement of the name change order in the Courts of the City and State of New York. However, obligations to serve a copy of a name change order on government agencies still remain in the discretion of the judge. Examples of government agencies which may have to be served with a copy of the name change order are the Support Collections Unit if you have a child support obligation, Criminal Justice Services if you have a criminal record, the US Bankruptcy Court if you have filed bankruptcy, and an adversary that has a judgement or a pending lawsuit with you.

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Name Change and Enhanced Driver Licenses in New York

You may have a problem getting an enhanced driver license if your name on your birth certificate does not match your current driver license.

Beginning on October 1, 2020, the federal government will require your driver license, permit or ID card to be REAL ID compliant if you wish to use it as identification to board a domestic flight (within the U.S.), or enter military bases and certain federal facilities.

If the name on your license, permit, or non-driver ID application does not match the name on your identity, lawful status, and social security proofs you must bring in court or government issued proof(s) documenting the event(s) causing your name change(s) such as a marriage license(s), divorce decree(s), adoption, or court order document(s).

Proof of identity, such as valid license, birth certificate or passport, with your full first, middle (if applicable) and last name. This name, as it appears on your proof of identity, will be displayed on your card as required by federal law

To learn more visit https://dmv.ny.gov/which-id-right-me