New parenthood can be full of stress and second-guessing — including wondering what made you think you were fit to raise a tiny human. You’re the perfect person for the job. However, might you have chosen a less-than-perfect baby name?
Choosing a moniker for a baby is a tall task that you may have poured over for months (“Should I go unique or modern?” you may have asked yourself). Alternatively, you may have long dreamed of giving your child a specific name. However, you may regret the baby name choice now.
While new parenthood can be lonely, you’re not alone in these feelings. One BabyCenter survey found that about 10% of new moms regretted the name they chose for their baby. Those second thoughts may lead you to seek a second change in the form of a name change. Can parents get a name change for newborn babies? The short answer is yes, but the long answer is more complicated if you want to legally change a baby’s name.
Can you change a baby’s name?
Yes, parents can change a newborn baby’s name. The name on a baby’s birth certificate is written in ink but not stone. So, if the royal name (whatever name) you gave your baby no longer fits the castle, you have two options: A common law change or a legal change.
What’s the difference? We’ll name it.
Common law name change for newborn babies
This, also known as “common use name changes,” is the easiest way to rename a baby. The word “law” is misleading because the change is not legally binding. Legally, your child’s name will remain the same as the one you wrote on their birth certificate. However, informally, you and everyone else will start calling the little one something else. On the first day of kindergarten, when the teacher calls out, “John,” your baby boy can say, “Here! Everyone calls me Jude.” (Schools usually ask parents to list preferred names, so your kiddo may avoid that annual exercise.)
The pro of a common law name change is that it’s simple — and simple is hard to come by as a new parent. You also avoid the hassle of needing to hire a lawyer and file court paperwork (stay tuned). However, common law changes can still be confusing, even if teachers have a heads-up to call your John Jude during attendance.
For instance, family members and friends may write checks to “Jude.” Your child will ultimately need to understand their real name because that’s how it’ll appear on social security cards, their license, and medical forms. The confusion can become so annoying that they may take on the legal burden of officially changing it down the line.
Legal name changes for newborns
A legal name change formally changes the baby’s name. You’ll get newly printed Social Security cards with this name. In 18 years, your now-legal adult child will get a driver’s license or another form of photo identification. This new, legal name will appear on the ID, and that old one you chose bleary-eyed in the hospital will remain squarely in the rearview mirror.
While the step can feel drastic in the short term, it saves confusion for the baby in the long term. However, legal name changes also require navigating the legal system, which is a time and money commitment. You may not be swimming in both — or either — as a new parent.
How long after a baby is born can you change their name?
It depends on the state. You can change a baby’s name via common use law (not legal) at any time, though infants usually start recognizing their names around 7 months old. Legally, states often allow new parents a 6- to 12-month grace period to change a baby’s name without a court order.
You’ll usually have to pay a fee under $100 to change the birth certificate. After that window closes, parents must petition the court to change a child’s name. You’ll often find how long you must change a baby’s name on the back of their original birth certificate.
How to legally change a baby’s name
You may be able to change your baby’s name without petitioning the court. Hiring a lawyer can streamline the process if you need to seek a court order. However, you can also navigate the system yourself. The most important step is to contact your local county court. The name-changing process varies by state. Generally, you’ll need to fill out or obtain various forms, including:
- Petition to change the name
- Court order of approval for the name change
- Public notice of the name change
- Final decree (authorizes the name change)
These forms usually require notarization and often cost money (some jurisdictions may waive them for financial hardships).
Final thoughts
Baby name regret is a common experience. Some parents may opt to informally change a child’s name, which is known as a “common law” or “common use” name change. These changes aren’t legal, so official documents will still feature the child’s original and actual name.
Parents can also seek a legal name change. Many states give a window of around 6 to 12 months to change a name without a court order. You can find this timeframe on the back of a birth certificate. After that time, parents will need to navigate the legal process with or without a lawyer.
