10th Circuit – Probate Division – Brentwood

After getting married, I went to the Social Security office to change my name. I followed the most common practice of talking my partners last name and keeping my maiden name as my new middle name. They did this without a problem and issues a new card.
However, the DMV said they would be unable to change my middle name without a court order even though I was simply moving it from my last to middle which is most common when getting married, and it appears to be allowed according to the DMV website. None the less, the woman wouldn’t hear it so I changed my last name and filed a case with Probate to have my middle name changed.
I searched online to find out how long that typically takes and what the process is like since there seemed to be 0 information other than a $ 110 fee and that a court appearance is required.
Fortunately, it was a smooth easy process. After paying the fee and providing the appropriate legal documentation, (not a lawyer is not required nor recommended) I went home. I think a week later I got a letter saying my case would be heard in less than a month a date and time was given. Friday afternoon. When I went there that date, there was about 5 others waiting for the same thing. They called us in, and we were each called up to swear in and our requests were all approved with question and the judge was incredibly friendly and helpful. We will given a seal document to take with us.
So assuming you are not changing your name for any illegal purposes then the process is a breeze and completed in timely fashion. After watching so many Law and Order marathons was relieved it was such an easy experience.