Chosen Name
A chosen name is the new name a person selects as part of a legal name change proceeding — the name they wish to be legally known by going forward.
What It Means in Plain English
Your chosen name is simply the name you want to use after your legal name change is complete. You list this name on your name change petition as the name you're requesting permission to use legally. Courts have broad discretion to approve or deny name change requests, but they will generally approve any name that isn't fraudulent, offensive, or designed to intimidate.
Courts will almost always approve a chosen name if it's a recognizable personal name — a different given name, a hyphenated combination, a spouse's surname, or any other personal name choice. Courts may decline names that impersonate a well-known person, include numbers or symbols that cause government record-keeping issues, or appear to be chosen to harass or intimidate someone.
A chosen name is distinct from a 'preferred name' or 'nickname' — which is what many people call a name they go by socially without changing it legally. A chosen name in a legal name change context refers specifically to the name you want on your official legal documents after the court order is issued.
Why It Matters for Your Case
Your chosen name will become your official legal identity. Think carefully about the exact spelling and format before filing your petition — including how the name should appear on official documents. Once the decree is issued, changing it again requires filing a new petition.
If you're not sure exactly what name you want or how to format it legally, consider consulting with a name change document preparation service or legal aid organization before filing. Getting the name right on the first petition avoids the need for a correction or new petition later.
Real-World Example
For example, Chris has gone by 'Sage' informally for years and decides to make it official. On the name change petition, Chris lists their full desired legal name as 'Sage Jordan Williams' — the first and middle names they've chosen combined with their current last name. The court approves the name, and Sage's new legal name appears on the decree exactly as listed on the petition.
Related Terms
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JustiPal™ is not a law firm. This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Your specific situation may differ. For advice about your case, consult a licensed attorney or legal professional in your state attorney.