Name changes? - Empty Closets - A safe online community for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered people coming out

Ghostly · 5th Mar 2011, 06:25 AM

I've been wanting to change my last name for quite a while now but I don't know what kind of reasons that they would accept someone's name change request in Ontario, mine is mostly because I don't want my biological father's last name because I don't even know him and he has no custody of me either, and I want my last name to sound more comercial as I do want to be a fashion designer some day xd but the name I want to change it to is the last name of some of my relatives :/ help anyone?

Pseudojim · 5th Mar 2011, 06:49 AM

I think at your age you'd probably need your guardian's permission, but i'm not sure on canadian / ontarian law. It'll also probably cost a lil bit, the bureaucracy always throw in fees where they can.

As far as reasons go, i don't think that matters. People change their names on a whim all the time. The only reason they ever turn it down is for absurdity (something like ksujfhipjsbiljbSLAFBLfjbklfjdblkdb could be turned down on sheer nonsense value, etc etc), or profanity.

Ghostly · 5th Mar 2011, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pseudojim

I think at your age you'd probably need your guardian's permission, but i'm not sure on canadian / ontarian law. It'll also probably cost a lil bit, the bureaucracy always throw in fees where they can.

As far as reasons go, i don't think that matters. People change their names on a whim all the time.

Yes I have my mom's permission and I think it's around $130

Pseudojim · 5th Mar 2011, 06:55 AM

You're fine then. Enjoy!

Ghostly · 5th Mar 2011, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pseudojim

You're fine then. Enjoy!

but are my reasons good enough? because they might not accept my application :/

starfish · 5th Mar 2011, 06:59 AM

In the US you don't need a reason. Just ask Chad Ochocinco.

You just have to petition the court and they do a background check. They want to be sure you're not trying to evade prosecution.

Pseudojim · 5th Mar 2011, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vampirekid

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pseudojim

You're fine then. Enjoy!

but are my reasons good enough? because they might not accept my application :/

Absolutely, that's probably the most common reason the deed poll office hears.

roborama · 5th Mar 2011, 07:58 AM

im 16 as well and i changed my last name for a very simular reason. it was one of the best things i did, and the best bday present ever (yeahh dont ask). you really dont even need a reason but yours is definitly valid and a lot of people do it. if its what you want then youll be so happy you did. best of luck!

TheJoker · 5th Mar 2011, 08:08 AM

"Schwarzenegger"

If a man can be commercial with such name,any name must be valid.

zeratul · 5th Mar 2011, 06:41 PM

I changed my name in Ontario at the age of 18. My reason was not good but I do not think they care about the reason (I wanted a name from a Greek king that appeared in Homer's Odyssey). The fees I paid for the name change form, for the city hall clerk to sign an affidavit to swear they've seen my original birth certificate, and for the subsequent changes to my citizenship certificate and passport, in total, on the other hand, was SUPER EXPENSIVE.

Ianthe · 5th Mar 2011, 08:57 PM

I don't see why it would be any kind of problem; a change in last name is very common, women traditionally changing their last name when they get married. Also, situations similar to yours are not uncommon--there are especially lots of kids that take the stepfather's name if the stepfather is raising them, or simply because their mother took his name.

Here in the U.S., I don't think you need a reason at all. But I don't know about Canada.

Now will be easier than if you try to do it later--the longer you wait, the more institutions you will have to notify of your name change.

**Chip** · 6th Mar 2011, 11:21 AM

a friend changed his name in california, and it was a pretty perfunctory process. You have to go before a judge here, but basically almost any reason will do... "personal reasons", "religious reasons" are both valid and broad and won't raise questions, so maybe you could use one of those.

**Eric** · 6th Mar 2011, 05:40 PM

I also intend to change my last name, although I have different reasons for doing so. I heard about a guy who wanted to change his name to Peyton Manning because he lost a bet, and his request was rejected. That said, I'd imagine your reasons are quite valid.

Flyers2011 · 6th Mar 2011, 05:44 PM

I want to change my last name because my last name now is ridiculous to say and spell, it's ugly, it belongs to my dead-beat Dad, and I like my mom's last name better. It's a lot nicer.

I can change mine when I'm 18 (my dad could contest me changing it because I'm still a minor) so I can't see why you can't change yours. Go for it. Lol.

5th Mar 2011, 06:25 AM	#1
Ghostly привет Full Member Gender: Un Garçon Orientation: I'm committed to this one guy Out Status: people that care for me Location: Canada Age: 17 Posts: 1,305 Join Date: Jan 2008	Name changes? I've been wanting to change my last name for quite a while now but I don't know what kind of reasons that they would accept someone's name change request in Ontario, mine is mostly because I don't want my biological father's last name because I don't even know him and he has no custody of me either, and I want my last name to sound more comercial as I do want to be a fashion designer some day xd but the name I want to change it to is the last name of some of my relatives :/ help anyone? __________________ "Men fear death as children fear to go in the dark; and as that natural fear in children is increased by tales, so is the other" -Sir Francis Bacon

5th Mar 2011, 06:49 AM	#2
Pseudojim Part robot Full Member Gender: Male Orientation: Bi - Kinsey 2ish Out Status: All but family Location: Australia Age: 27 Posts: 2,154 Join Date: Sep 2009	Re: Name changes? I think at your age you'd probably need your guardian's permission, but i'm not sure on canadian / ontarian law. It'll also probably cost a lil bit, the bureaucracy always throw in fees where they can. As far as reasons go, i don't think that matters. People change their names on a whim all the time. The only reason they ever turn it down is for absurdity (something like ksujfhipjsbiljbSLAFBLfjbklfjdblkdb could be turned down on sheer nonsense value, etc etc), or profanity. Last edited by Pseudojim; 5th Mar 2011 at 06:52 AM..

5th Mar 2011, 06:55 AM	#4
Pseudojim Part robot Full Member Gender: Male Orientation: Bi - Kinsey 2ish Out Status: All but family Location: Australia Age: 27 Posts: 2,154 Join Date: Sep 2009	Re: Name changes? You're fine then. Enjoy!

5th Mar 2011, 06:59 AM	#6
starfish This space for lease. Full Member Gender: Male Orientation: I like guys Out Status: Out to everyone Location: Hippie Town, Alberta of the US Age: 31 Posts: 2,108 Join Date: Nov 2008	Re: Name changes? In the US you don't need a reason. Just ask Chad Ochocinco. You just have to petition the court and they do a background check. They want to be sure you're not trying to evade prosecution. __________________ All the problems of the world could be settled easily if men were only willing to think. The trouble is that men very often resort to all sorts of devices in order not to think, because thinking is such hard work. --Thomas J. Watson

5th Mar 2011, 07:58 AM	#8
roborama EC's Teenage Grandma Full Member Gender: Female Orientation: Fluid Out Status: Out to everyone Location: MA Age: 17 Posts: 397 Join Date: Jan 2011	Re: Name changes? im 16 as well and i changed my last name for a very simular reason. it was one of the best things i did, and the best bday present ever (yeahh dont ask). you really dont even need a reason but yours is definitly valid and a lot of people do it. if its what you want then youll be so happy you did. best of luck! __________________ Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one's definition of your life; define yourself. Harvey Fierstein

5th Mar 2011, 08:08 AM	#9
TheJoker Clown Prince of EC Full Member Gender: clown Orientation: bats Out Status: Not out at all Location: Circus Posts: 416 Join Date: Feb 2011	Re: Name changes? "Schwarzenegger" If a man can be commercial with such name,any name must be valid.

5th Mar 2011, 06:41 PM	#10
zeratul Prelate Full Member Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Location: Toronto Posts: 748 Join Date: Jan 2011	Re: Name changes? I changed my name in Ontario at the age of 18. My reason was not good but I do not think they care about the reason (I wanted a name from a Greek king that appeared in Homer's Odyssey). The fees I paid for the name change form, for the city hall clerk to sign an affidavit to swear they've seen my original birth certificate, and for the subsequent changes to my citizenship certificate and passport, in total, on the other hand, was SUPER EXPENSIVE. __________________ I am a lord of shadows. I claim the shadows that the Shadow may not. I am the strong arm of deliverance. I am Shadowstrider. I am the Scales of Justice. I am He-Who-Guards-Unseen. I am Shadowslayer. I am Nameless. They shall not go unpunished. My way is hard, but I serve unbroken.

5th Mar 2011, 08:57 PM	#11
Ianthe EC Addict Full Member Gender: Female/Femme Orientation: Lesbian Out Status: Out to everyone Location: Oregon Age: 32 Posts: 1,084 Join Date: Feb 2011	Re: Name changes? I don't see why it would be any kind of problem; a change in last name is very common, women traditionally changing their last name when they get married. Also, situations similar to yours are not uncommon--there are especially lots of kids that take the stepfather's name if the stepfather is raising them, or simply because their mother took his name. Here in the U.S., I don't think you need a reason at all. But I don't know about Canada. Now will be easier than if you try to do it later--the longer you wait, the more institutions you will have to notify of your name change.

6th Mar 2011, 11:21 AM	#12
Chip EC Advisor EC Admin Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: Out to everyone Location: northern CA Posts: 5,579 Join Date: May 2008	Re: Name changes? a friend changed his name in california, and it was a pretty perfunctory process. You have to go before a judge here, but basically almost any reason will do... "personal reasons", "religious reasons" are both valid and broad and won't raise questions, so maybe you could use one of those.

6th Mar 2011, 05:40 PM	#13
Eric EC Chat Room Mod EC Chat Mod Gender: Male Orientation: Gayyy Out Status: Open about it. Location: Ontario Age: 18 Posts: 1,374 Join Date: Jun 2010	Re: Name changes? I also intend to change my last name, although I have different reasons for doing so. I heard about a guy who wanted to change his name to Peyton Manning because he lost a bet, and his request was rejected. That said, I'd imagine your reasons are quite valid.

6th Mar 2011, 05:44 PM	#14
Flyers2011 EC Addict Full Member Gender: Female Orientation: Gay Out Status: Everyone. And I mean EVERYONE. Location: O-H-I-O! Posts: 886 Join Date: Sep 2010	Re: Name changes? I want to change my last name because my last name now is ridiculous to say and spell, it's ugly, it belongs to my dead-beat Dad, and I like my mom's last name better. It's a lot nicer. I can change mine when I'm 18 (my dad could contest me changing it because I'm still a minor) so I can't see why you can't change yours. Go for it. Lol. __________________ "We are born with a scream; we come into life with a scream, and maybe love is a mosquito net between the fear of living and the fear of death."- Francis Bacon