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LegalZoom Review

Sunday, February 16th

2025 Name Change Service Reviews

Top Consumer Reviews Best-In-Class Blue Ribbon Award LegalZoom Review 5 Star Rating

LegalZoom

5 Star Rating
  • Name change service available for adults and children
  • Can help you get a court order for the name change
  • Pricing starts at $139
  • 100% satisfaction guarantee
  • "A+” rated and accredited by the BBB
Top Consumer Reviews Best-In-Class Blue Ribbon Award

If you're looking to change your name for reasons other than marriage or divorce, most name change services won't be able to assist you. However, there's one highly-rated provider called LegalZoom that can help you with the entire process. They'll guide you through the necessary steps to legally change your name or get a name change for a minor - including everything that needs to be done to file your paperwork with the appropriate local court.

Simple pricing and packages

There's nothing confusing about the options with this service, and we love that. LegalZoom offers two name change packages: one for adults and one for minors. The adult package costs $139, while the minor package is priced at $165. Each package includes the following:

  • Customized name change documents tailored to your state of residence.
  • Clear instructions on how to file the documents with the appropriate court, if needed. They'll also provide the court filing location and relevant information.
  • A checklist of government agencies and financial institutions that you need to notify once your name change is finalized, whether it's due to marriage, divorce, or any other reason.
  • A thorough "Peace of Mind” review of your documents by a real person to ensure they're complete, consistent, and accurate.

Help is available 7 days a week

Got questions? LegalZoom provides specialist help on standby seven days a week, with hours from 5am-7pm on weekdays and 7am-4pm on weekends (Pacific time zone). And, if you determine that your situation is complicated enough to require the help of a lawyer, LegalZoom can connect you with an independent attorney at a reasonable price: just click the "Find out more” button on the Name Change page to get started.

Lifetime support + satisfaction guarantee

On top of that, LegalZoom offers lifetime customer support and a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you're not happy with their name change service for any reason, they'll either take the necessary steps to fix the problem or give you a refund of your fees (not including any that you may have had to pay to the court, of course).

Best Name Change Services

A little over-the-top for marriage-related name changes

It's worth noting that if you're simply changing your name due to marriage, LegalZoom's service might be a bit excessive. That's because the legal requirements for a name change through marriage, like getting a marriage license and saying "I do”, are already satisfied. In this case, you might want to consider one of the other high-ranking services we've reviewed to save some money.

Excellent for less-traditional name change situations

However, if your name change situation goes beyond the traditional bride taking the groom's name, LegalZoom is an excellent choice. They cover hyphenated last names, same-sex couples, grooms taking their brides' surnames, and more. While LegalZoom is a little more expensive than your average name change service, you can trust that they'll take care of everything, double-check all the details, and ensure your name change satisfies any legal requirements in your state.

Still #1 among name change services

Although LegalZoom isn't the lowest-priced option on our list, it's undoubtedly the most thorough and offers the widest range of options for legally adopting a new name. With nearly 20 years of experience in the business and an "A+" rating from the Better Business Bureau, LegalZoom is our top pick among name change services, no matter your unique situation.

Which Name Change Service is the Best?

Changing your name in the United States is an important decision that many people make for various reasons. Whether it's to express your true identity, leave behind a difficult past or walk with joy into a future with a spouse, honor your cultural heritage, or adapt to new circumstances, the process involves legal and administrative steps that can be daunting.

The specifics may differ depending on the state, but generally, you'll need to file a petition with the appropriate court and pay some fees. Some states may require you to attend a court hearing. If so, at the hearing, you'll explain why you want to change your name. If the court approves your request, they'll issue a legal name change order, which serves as the basis for updating your identification documents and notifying relevant institutions.

The Best Name Change Services Compare Name Change Services Compare Name Change Service Reviews What are the best Name Change Services Best Name Change Service Reviews

Name Change Service FAQ

The most common reason for a name change is marriage. Many brides still follow the tradition of taking on their husband's last name. But, there are many other reasons which may include divorce, adoption, or couples who want to hyphenate both of their last names.
No, not usually. Most companies and governmental offices will change your name on their records at no cost. The only exceptions are usually associated with photo IDs, such as your driver's license and passport.
You've probably already fulfilled the legal requirements if you're changing your name due to marriage or divorce. On the other hand, if other circumstances apply, you will probably need to appear in court to legally change your name before you can have the new name reflected on your ID and accounts. Those laws vary by state.
The list is long! Bank accounts, investments, professional licenses, reward programs, credit cards, streaming services and vehicle title/registration are just a few places you'll need to have your name changed.
How much time do you want to spend researching the process and requirements for each place you need to change your name? Name change services have already done that legwork for you. Plus, they give you access to the forms you need and often let you fill out the information one time online - then auto-populate that information on each form you'll submit. Using a name change service saves you time and helps you think of each place you need to register your new name.
Definitely! Some of these services have been around for two decades or longer. You can always check out a company's listing with the BBB and look at client reviews for that extra peace of mind that a service is on the up-and-up.
That depends on the service you select. You can get a basic package to print at home for under $20, or you can select a comprehensive service with personal advice and professional legal review for more than $100. Also, name changes for reasons other than marriage or divorce (e.g. adoption, gender change, etc.) tend to cost more, because they require the extra step of being court-approved.
Filling out your information can be done in just a few minutes, especially if you choose a name change service that lets you complete your forms online. Most non-governmental name changes, like credit cards and subscriptions, will be done in a week or two, possibly less. You'll have to go in person to change your name on your driver's license, so naturally that depends on how quickly you can get an appointment at your local DMV. Passports usually take the longest: it's not unusual for it to take 4-6 weeks or more.
Sometimes, yes. Name change services are fairly low-risk, but the best ones offer a satisfaction guarantee that will either work with you to fix any issues you have or refund the fees you paid.
Compare the Best Reviews

Continued from above...

Of course, if your name is changing because you're getting married, your license/certificate stands in place of a court order with respect to documentation. Once you have the name change order (or your marriage/divorce is official), it's time to update your official documents.

You'll need to get a new Social Security card, driver's license or state ID, passport, and other identification papers. Don't forget to change your name on bank accounts, credit cards, utility bills, and insurance policies too. It's also important to inform your employer, school, healthcare providers, and anyone else who needs to know about the change.

Are you exhausted just thinking about it? Fortunately, name change services can make this whole process much easier by providing guidance throughout the journey. With their expertise, you can save time and make sure you've completed all the necessary steps accurately. In many cases, you can even submit all of your information online and with one click, the name change service sends a request to hundreds (or thousands) of financial institutions and businesses in their database to update your record with your new name.

Which name change service is right for you? Many of them are similar, but here are some key characteristics that will help you make the choice:

  • Kind of name changes available. Some services only focus on marriage-related switches, while others can accommodate court-ordered name changes (adoption, gender identity, and so on).
  • Type of service offered. Are you looking for help getting a court-ordered name change? Most services don't specialize in that: they assume you've already got the documentation and you're just updating all of the necessary governmental offices, banks, and so on. Make sure you choose a name change service that offers the help you actually need.
  • Fees. What will you pay for the service? Is it a one-time fee or is it subscription-based?
  • Reputation. What do previous clients say about the name change service you're considering? Did they get the job done with no hassle? Was it worth the money? Has the Better Business Bureau rated the service?

Whatever your reason may be for changing your name, there's no need for it to be complicated - or expensive - to get it done. Top Consumer Reviews has made it simple and straightforward by reviewing the best (and the worst) name change services available today.

The Best Reviews of Name Change Services