Name question

[Regal Regan]

I have a question about names. I have always gone by my middle name. In school, all my professors and friends call me by my middle name, as does my family at home. But as a physician, I understand that all legal documents must have my first name on them and patients will call me by my last name anyway, but I'm wondering if it would be less hassle to just have my first name and middle name swapped legally. Has anyone ever done this? I would imagine it wouldn't be much more hassle than a woman changing her last name when she marries, but maybe I'm wrong there.

Anyone have experience with this?

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[Smurfette]

You can go by your middle name if you prefer (meaning colleagues call you by your preferred name, not what's on your birth certificate). Just tell people your preference. I've met several people who go by their middle name; our hospitals in residency would even give you a badge saying (First Initial_middle name_last name) if you asked, to minimize confusion.

Sure, your license and stuff will say your legal name, but you can sign your name as (first initial_last name) or (first initial_MI_last name) or just (last name) if that's how you want to do it. It's not a big deal as long as all your documents (med school and residency diplomas, state licenses, board documentations, DEA#, etc.) have the same name listed to prove your credentials.

 

[Regal Regan]

You can go by your middle name if you prefer (meaning colleagues call you by your preferred name, not what's on your birth certificate). Just tell people your preference. I've met several people who go by their middle name; our hospitals in residency would even give you a badge saying (First Initial_middle name_last name) if you asked, to minimize confusion.

Sure, your license and stuff will say your legal name, but you can sign your name as (first initial_last name) or (first initial_MI_last name) or just (last name) if that's how you want to do it. It's not a big deal as long as all your documents (med school and residency diplomas, state licenses, board documentations, DEA#, etc.) have the same name listed to prove your credentials.

I know I can tell people I go by my middle name, but I just wonder if it'll be less of a hassle to just change it. I was hoping someone here had experience with it so they could tell me if it's the same as a new bride changing her last name or if it's more complicated since it's a first name. Would I have to have my undergraduate degree changed, etc to reflect my new first name?

 

[Zellyn]

I had my name changed (including first and middle) about three years ago. To be frank, the legal process is a hassle but if you think switching out your names will be easier for you in the long run and you think it is the best choice for you, then by all means, do it.

First, yes, you can legally change your name. Different states have different procedures but the general protocol is to file a petition with your city's Superior Court. Additional paperwork include background checks, a statement detailing the reason why you want this change and what you want to change it to, and a request for any widely-circulated newspaper within your state to publish a public announcement of your name change.

That last part is a requirement so that the state doesn't think you're changing your name to run away and conceal your identity from the police if you have an outstanding warrant or creditors/ lenders whom you owe money to.

If your university has a student legal services department, I highly recommend you have someone there to help you file and arrange the paperwork properly. It will save you a lot of grief.

Second, once your petition and paperwork have been filed and submitted, you may or may not (depending on which state you live in) have to pay processing fees for your newspaper publication AND to the court. A clerk will then give you a court date for you to appear so a judge can review and grant your petition. Since most name petitions are granted, it is highly unlikely you will be required to directly speak to the judge unless he/she has a concern they wish to discuss with you.

Third, when your petition has been granted, you must obtain certified copies of your granted petition. That document is proof that your new name is valid so hold on to it carefully. You will then need to notify many institutions of your name change. These include:

Social Security
DMV
Passport Services
IRS
Any Lenders and Creditors you've had transactions and/or hold accounts with
Any Banks you've had transactions and/or hold accounts with
College/Universities you have attended or will be attending
Department of Vital Records (for birth certificates)
U.S. Post Office
U.S. Registrar of Voters
Former and Current Employers
Hospitals/Pharmacy (for medical records)

etc. etc. etc.

The entire process can be from anywhere to 6 months up to 1 year.

To get more concrete information, you could browse through your state's court website and see what the protocol is for a name change in your state.

Sorry for the wall of text but I hope this helps. Good luck!

 

[OveractiveBrain]

I had my name changed (including first and middle) about three years ago. To be frank, the legal process is a hassle but if you think switching out your names will be easier for you in the long run and you think it is the best choice for you, then by all means, do it.

First, yes, you can legally change your name. Different states have different procedures but the general protocol is to file a petition with your city's Superior Court. Additional paperwork include background checks, a statement detailing the reason why you want this change and what you want to change it to, and a request for any widely-circulated newspaper within your state to publish a public announcement of your name change.

That last part is a requirement so that the state doesn't think you're changing your name to run away and conceal your identity from the police if you have an outstanding warrant or creditors/ lenders whom you owe money to.

If your university has a student legal services department, I highly recommend you have someone there to help you file and arrange the paperwork properly. It will save you a lot of grief.

Second, once your petition and paperwork have been filed and submitted, you may or may not (depending on which state you live in) have to pay processing fees for your newspaper publication AND to the court. A clerk will then give you a court date for you to appear so a judge can review and grant your petition. Since most name petitions are granted, it is highly unlikely you will be required to directly speak to the judge unless he/she has a concern they wish to discuss with you.

Third, when your petition has been granted, you must obtain certified copies of your granted petition. That document is proof that your new name is valid so hold on to it carefully. You will then need to notify many institutions of your name change. These include:

Social Security
DMV
Passport Services
IRS
Any Lenders and Creditors you've had transactions and/or hold accounts with
Any Banks you've had transactions and/or hold accounts with
College/Universities you have attended or will be attending
Department of Vital Records (for birth certificates)
U.S. Post Office
U.S. Registrar of Voters
Former and Current Employers
Hospitals/Pharmacy (for medical records)

etc. etc. etc.

The entire process can be from anywhere to 6 months up to 1 year.

To get more concrete information, you could browse through your state's court website and see what the protocol is for a name change in your state.

Sorry for the wall of text but I hope this helps. Good luck!

Also, get it done before you get your MD. Its apparently more difficult to change once you've been graduated, worse when you've been liscenced.

Honestly, the people I know who go by their middle name usually have this conversation: "Dr. Smith?" "Call me Michael" (name card says John). Then people call him Michael. Not that hard.