I did some additional research on ways to legally change a name in US. Here is a summary for those who are interested.
State laws can regulate name changes in the United States; still, they cannot altogether forbid common law name changes. Several specific federal court rulings have set precedents regarding both court decreed name changes and common law name changes (changing your name "at will"):
- One may be employed, do business, and enter into other contracts, and sue and be sued under any name they choose at will
- Such a change carries the exact same legal weight as a court decreed name change as long as it is not done with fraudulent intent
- This at will right is guaranteed under the U.S. Constitution, specifically the Fourteenth Amendment
The federal courts have overwhelmingly ruled that changing one's name at will, by common law, is clearly one's constitutional right. Nonetheless, one may still choose to have a court issued name change.
Usually a person can adopt any name desired for any reason; most states allow one to legally change their name by usage only.. This is accomplished by consistently using the new name in all aspects of your personal, social, and business life, to the point where it in fact becomes the name you are known by when dealing with others. This is legally valid and does not involve any costs (minors and prison inmates are generally exceptions to this rule).
There are differences in specific requirements among U.S. states, and usually a court order is the most efficient way to change names.
Furthermore, a court ordered name change establishes linkage between your previous and new name. It provides a record of the name change from the initial application to the official decree or order authorizing the name change. The court record serves as a resource if you are asked to verify your identity.