Common Law Name Change

A common law name change occurs when an individual adopts a new name through consistent, open use over time, without a formal court process. Historically, this allowed individuals to change their names simply by acting as if the new name is theirs, such as using it in daily life, on legal documents, and with community acknowledgment. However, most jurisdictions now require a formal legal process, like filing for a name change through the court system. Common law name change is generally recognized only where it remains consistent and well-known, but it may not be accepted everywhere or for all legal purposes.