A name change can be a significant event in someone’s life, and it is not uncommon for individuals to legally change their name for various reasons.

This article will provide you with the necessary steps and information to determine if someone has legally changed their name.

Steps for Finding Out if Someone Legally Changed Their Name

The first place our law firm looks at to determine if someone has changed their name is through government information. There are several places you can look to for information.

1. Bureau of Vital Statistics

The Bureau of Vital Statistics is a state-level agency, so you will need to find the one for the state where the individual lived when they changed their name. You can usually find contact information for the agency on the state government website.

You will need to provide as much information as possible. For the best results, you should gather the individual’s full name, date of birth, and previous name.

The Bureau of Vital Statistics maintains a wide range of birth, death, marriage, and divorce records. If there has been a legal name change, it will likely be in the Bureau of Vital Statistics records.

2. State Court Records

Online access to information about court cases, including divorce cases, varies by state. Some states have made court case information available online, while others do not have online access or have more limited access.

For example, in Missouri, you can access court information at www.courts.mo.gov/casenet. This official online case management system for the Missouri court system provides access to information about court cases in the state.

In most states, you can now search for case information by case number or the person’s name. The information available through the system may include case details, such as the parties involved, court filings, and orders and decisions.

Divorce Decrees

Divorce decrees are generally considered public information, which means they are available to the general public. In most states, divorce decrees are filed with the court and are part of the public record.

This means anyone can access the information contained in a divorce decree, including the parties’ names, and if the court ordered a name change as part of the divorce process.

Petitions for a Change of Name

Another great tool of the local court system is to look for a petition for a change of name. Petitions for a legal name change are generally considered public information and part of most states’ public records.

This means anyone can access the information in a petition for a legal name change, including the name of the person seeking the name change, the old name, and the new name.

In states that do not have online access to court case information, you can typically request the information in person at the court where the case was filed or by mail. You may need to provide identifying information and pay a fee for the information.

It’s important to note that court records are considered public information, but access to some information, such as sealed or confidential records, may be restricted.

Additionally, some information, such as social security numbers, may be redacted or unavailable to the public.

3. Division of Motor Vehicles

The Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is responsible for issuing driver’s licenses, registering vehicles, and maintaining driving and vehicle records.

The DMV can be helpful in obtaining information about individuals who hold a driver’s license, including name, address, date of birth, and license status.

The availability of information through the DMV varies by state, and access to some information, such as confidential or sealed records, may be restricted.

Check Social Media

Social media can be a helpful tool to determine if a person has changed their name, but it is not a reliable or official source of information. Here are some steps you can follow to see if a person has changed their name on social media:

Search for the person: Try searching for the person’s old name and new name on various social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
Look at their profile: If you find the person’s profile, check to see if their name has been changed. If their name has been changed, their new name should be listed on their profile.
Check their friends list: Look at the person’s friends list to see if any friends are using their old or new name. This can help you determine if the person has changed their name.

Google Their Name

Google can be a valuable tool to help determine if someone has changed their name. Here are some steps you can follow to see if a person has changed their name using Google:

Search for the person’s name: Try searching for the person’s old name and new name on Google, using quotes around the name to get more accurate results.
Check news articles: Look for any news articles or press releases that mention the person and see if their name has been changed in those articles.
Check professional profiles: Look for the person’s professional profiles, such as on LinkedIn or professional websites, and see if their name has been changed on those platforms.

Ask The Person Directly

If you want to ask someone if they have changed their name, it’s best to approach the conversation respectfully and directly. Here are some tips for asking someone if they have changed their name:

Choose the right time and place: Make sure the person is in a good mood and has time to talk to you. Avoid asking in a public place or in front of others.
Start with a friendly greeting: Begin the conversation with a friendly greeting and ask how the person is doing.
Ask directly: Once you have established a friendly atmosphere, ask the person if they have changed their name. Use phrases like “I noticed your name has changed. Is that correct?” or “Have you recently gone by a different name?”
Listen to their response: Listen to the person’s response and respect their answer, whether they have changed their name or not.
Follow up as needed: If the person has changed their name, ask them why they made the change if they don’t mind sharing.

It’s important to approach the conversation in a non-judgmental and respectful manner and remember that deciding to change one’s name is a personal matter and may be sensitive for some people.

Hire a Private Investigator

You may hire a private investigator to determine if someone has legally changed their name if you need to verify their identity for legal, financial, or personal reasons.

A private investigator can thoroughly investigate if a person has changed their name and provide you with official and accurate information.

The private investigators our firm hires will do this type of work hourly. They typically charge $65 per hour and can get this type of work done in less than 5 hours.

How to Determine if Someone Legally Changed Their Name