Legally changing name in the US? ?

The exact procedure varies from state to state, but generally you fill out a form at the local courthouse. (In most states, Probate Court does name changes.) You, or the court, publish your name change petition in a regional newspaper. Sometimes an informal hearing is scheduled, where you must appear before a judge. Cost of the entire procedure will run somewhere between $30 and $300, depending on the state. The entire process is probably easier than obtaining a driver's license. You do NOT need a lawyer.

Well, it's not that complicated or expensive but still it can be a hassle.

You do not need to hire a attorney: hiring an attorney WONT speed things up, and all the attorney would do is to pick the forms that you can pick in person from the court's clerk. That's all the attorney does.

Process: pick the forms and instructions, fill the forms, pay the fees, publish a public notice (on paper or at a court designated public board), get fingerprinted (to make sure you don't have a criminal record; you pay for that), then you'll get a court date and in front of a judge you'll have to sate that you want to change your name. If granted then the court will issue a "Change of Name Order"; with that document you change your name in your birth certificate, SS #, bank accounts, school diploma and so on (each agency might charge you additional fees for the paper work.)

In general you might spend about $500 and two or three months depending on how busy is your local court.

It's worth the hassle? That's for you to decide.

If you have an unfortunate last name like "Hooker" or "Butt" I would agree is a good idea to change your name. For anything else is your choice.

In short, it depends on the state. In some states, the marriage license has a space for the name before marriage and a space for the name after marriage. In this case, you would simply fill in the new name, including middle and that's all you would need to get a new SSN. However, if there is no such space, the SSA and DMV will only accept your last name as having changed without a court order. Neither Ohio nor Indiana appear to have such a space. To change it, you must file for a name change at the local court where you live.

It will cost you some money, but it is fairly easy to do. You file a petition with the Court to change your name, and publish the petition in the newspaper (according to that State's rules of civil procedure), then go before a Judge and state your reasons for changing it. These are normal reasons that I've always seen honored. You will have to pay the filing fee and the publishing fees. If you use an attorney, and you should, you will pay the attorney's hourly rate as well. In Arkansas, it would cost you about $450.

Are you sure that's really what you want to do?

It seems like a slap in the face to your adoptive parents - your real parents - the ones who raised you, fed you, clothed you, and loved you.

I'd wait at least a few years before you make this decision. You might feel different with a little time.