Q: Is it legal to change my name more than once at a New York City court?
I recently filed a name change petition to change my name, and the judge quickly granted it. But there is a problem: I regret the name I have chosen.
I have not reported my court granted name to any government agency. Would I be required to reference my court approved name in my new name change petition?
Thanks!
A:
Yes, it is legal to change your name more than once in New York City courts. If you've had a change of heart about the new name, you can file another petition for a name change. In your new petition, you would need to reference any previous name changes, including the one recently granted by the court, as the judge will want to see the history of your name changes to understand the full context.
You should include in your petition the reasons for your decision to change your name again so soon after the first change. The process will be similar to your initial name change petition, and you will again be required to pay any applicable fees and possibly publish the change, depending on the court's decision. Be mindful that the judge will review your request and may inquire into the reasons for multiple name changes to ensure there is no fraudulent intent.
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