However, practically speaking, in the post-9/11 world, you will probably need an official court document to get government agencies and many key private organizations, such as banks and title companies, to accept your new name. Because many people and agencies do not know that a usage name change is legal and are worried about identity theft, they may insist on seeing something in writing signed by a judge. Also, you will need a formal order signed by a judge in order to change certain types of identification, such as a new passport, birth certificate attachment and Social Security card. The only exception to this is when you change your name because you get married, in which case a copy of your marriage license should be enough to get your identification documents changed.

Even if name changes under the usage method are legal in your state, you will usually be best served to pursue a formal court-ordered name change.

If you are still interested in the usage method to change your name, you can find out whether you can do so in your state or whether your state requires a court order, by contacting your local clerk of the court. Or, if the court clerk doesn't give you enough information, you can look at your state's statutes online.

How do I implement my name change?

Whether you have changed your name by usage or by court order, the most important part of accomplishing your name change is to let others know you've taken a new name. Although it may take a little time to contact government agencies and businesses, don't be intimidated by the task -- it's a common procedure.

The practical steps of implementing a name change are:

• Advise officials and businesses. Contact the various government and business agencies with which you deal and have your name changed on their records. See Changing Identification and Records, below.

• Enlist help of family and friends. Tell your friends and family that you've changed your name and you now want them to use only your new one. It may take those close to you a while to get used to associating you with a new sound. Some of them might even object to using the new name, perhaps fearing the person they know so well is becoming someone else. Be patient and persistent.