They do they same thing here where I'm from, except it'll only run in one newspaper if you live in a town that's serviced by a local newspaper. It happens for any request of name change, even marriage. And I do think it is a violation of privacy. I don't think I should need public approval on my personal matters. And that's why name change requests are published here. It's so that if anyone disagrees, they can challenge it and you may not get to change your name then.

Eek. I never knew about this either, I'll have to see how it is in NY. Granted, it does make sense (especially after what tekla said), it does still kind of suck. But, again, I doubt anyone I know would be reading the legal sections of the paper, especially the people I'd actually be worried about finding it.

Hmm... this has me a bit worried now...

So is it true that ANYONE can object to your name change? Like say, my mother, a teacher, coworker, friend, enemy??? Do THEY actually have a say in what my legal name is!? Or is it just legal persons who are allowed to object? If it's just legal authority (someone I would owe debt to), then I'd be in the clear.

Anyone can technically object. However, in order to influence the judge's decision, they'd have to have a valid reason for the objection (for instance, creditors who can demonstrate that you're trying to defraud them).

It's more of a public record to help track you down.

(This is US Civil Law only, other places are different)
In order to object (and really most of that is in the hands of the judge) they have to do it by claiming that the name change name change is not for a fraudulent or other illegal purpose, such as evading a lien or debt, or for defaming someone.   Or if the name change is for "frivolous" or "immoral" purposes, such as changing one's name to "God", "Superman", "Copyright", or "Delicious." Also, one cannot choose a name that is intended to mislead (such as adopting a celebrity's name), that is intentionally confusing, or that incites violence; nor can one adopt, as a name, a racial slur, a threat, or an obscenity.  (mostly from wiki)

And, before you can object you have to have what the law calls 'standing' that is, you have some vested interest in the matter at hand.  No one can just walk in off the street and object.

They do here in West Virginia. My mom wanted to change my last name when I was a kid to have me adopted under my stepdad's last name, but she didn't go through with it because it had to be published in the newspaper. And she said that since anyone could object to it, and was afraid that someone would, she didn't attempt to get my name changed. I'm not sure of the specifics but knowing how effed up everything is, I wouldn't doubt it if someone who just plain doesn't like you could go raise a stink and get your name changed denied. But I plan on hopefully getting out of this hell hole before I get to that point.

Quote from: kyril on March 23, 2011, 02:00:01 PM
Anyone can technically object. However, in order to influence the judge's decision, they'd have to have a valid reason for the objection (for instance, creditors who can demonstrate that you're trying to defraud them).

So because I have debts, I would never be able to transition and change my name? Do you have to be totally debt-free to get a name change?

Quote from: sascraps on March 23, 2011, 02:03:28 PM
So because I have debts, I would never be able to transition and change my name? Do you have to be totally debt-free to get a name change?

Only if you're trying to defraud your creditors, you have no history or intention of doing, so there's no grounds for objection.

I think if we had to be debt-free to get our name changed, almost everyone in this economy would be screwed (think of all the students who have loans for school, credit card debt, etc).

N.Chaos.....I live in NY and you do have to put your name change in a legal paper. I looked into it a couple years ago. When I went to get information the woman at the office told me I could choose what paper, but recommended one that was like $45. It was a legal paper that I had never heard of, and have absolutely no idea where you would buy it or get a copy of it. I don't know if anything has changed but I don't think you have anything to worry about as far as your average person seeing it.

Quote from: sascraps on March 23, 2011, 02:03:28 PM
So because I have debts, I would never be able to transition and change my name?

There is nothing wrong with debt by itself.
In the absolute worst case you would have to prove that you notified the debt owner that you intend to change your name.