Our reviewers evaluate products and services based on unbiased research. Top Consumer Reviews may earn money when you click on a link. Learn more about our process.
Sunday, February 16th
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:
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).
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.
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.
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:
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.
Select any 2 Name Change Services to compare them head to head