There are times in life when we just wish we could change our identities. Of course that’s virtually impossible but in certain circumstances you can change your name, which in some ways can make you feel like a new person. You may decide to take on a different surname when you get married or divorced, or perhaps the first name your parents gave you has never quite fit with your personality.

Some people don’t take the legal route when they decide they want to be known by another name. If you’ve been called a nickname for most of your life, in a sense, you did already change your name. This is referred to as common usage and although you’ll still want to use your legal name for any financial transactions or on your driver’s license, the nickname will be what everyone calls you. Some people use their nicknames when introducing themselves to new business associates and acquaintances. This is considered perfectly acceptable.

If you’ve made a major life change and want to have a new name to go with your new life position, you are likely going to want to make it all legal. Although many women keep their maiden name even after they are married, some want to share the same surname as their husband. To do this, you need to undertake a legal process to change your name. This results in it being recognized during a court proceeding.

After you do decide to take the plunge and take on a new name, you need to notify a few people. When you change your name you need to contact any credit card companies that have issued cards to you, you need to talk with the bank that is holding your funds and you should inform your employer so that your pay check is written with the proper name on it. It can take a few weeks for some companies to change your name in their records, so be prepared to be patient.

It’s surprising how many people need time to adjust after they’ve taken this step. This is particularly true of married and divorced women. When you change your name after using the same name for many years it can take some effort to get accustomed to writing out the new name or even introducing yourself that way. Don’t worry, you will eventually get as used to your new name as you were to the old.

Do your child a favor if you are an expectant parent. Choose a name that you can imagine your child having as an adult. Some parents pick names that only suit a child and when the child grows up, the name just isn’t right. Most of us would agree that if you were named Skippy or Scooter and you’re over the age of twenty, you probably want to change your name.