Legally changing a last or first name because of desire?

[Viva Mexico!!!!]

For the past 29 years, my birth name has caused me a lot of unhappiness and I feel extremely uncomfortable. I just feel like I was meant to be named something else. I REALLY love my family, which is why I have struggled all my life to accept it, but I just can't. I've lived with constant mental anguish for a long time, because of the name, and it's just gotten unbearable. I just can't stand living with the anguish; and I would rather have a root canal than have to answer to that full name ever again. I love my family a lot but I just can't stand my birth name.

I would like to radically change my full name, first, last and middle. I teach in another country but I live in North Carolina.

North Carolina is uptight about everything and has a lot of STUPID laws but I don't think I could change my name in another country since I'm a US citizen. I am so scared to go to court and try to change it because I'm so scared that I won't be able to.

It's REALLY bothering me. I've talked to lawyers and I know that in some states people HAVE changed their last name because of desire. But, NC really sucks about these things.

Is there a way I can legally change my full name in North Carolina? My reason is that the name has caused me a lot of mental anguish because I just don't identify with it. I'm just not a Sara Johnson, and I want to be free to live my life as the person I really am. Also, it upsets me that so many people share the same full name. It REALLY bothers me. I want a unique full name all my own. I understand that SOMEWHERE out there someone might have the same name, but I certainly don't want there to be millions of me.

What recourse do I have? Is the fact that I HATE having a common full name and need a more special name, and the constant mental anguish a valid reason? What do I do if they turn down my request?

I don't WANT to ever get married, and I'm too miserable to wait. My middle name is "Marleigh" and I HATE it. I want to change my middle name to my Spanish name (Cristina).

 

[deb.peg1]

You can legally change your name for any reason whatosever. It is merely a matter of filing the proper paperwork. Even though you live in NC, you might try going to the state in which you were born. If that is also NC, then check on the internet as to "legal name change, North Carolina." I know, I live in SC and there are a lot of stupid laws, but changing your name is not one of them. You likely will not have to appear in court, merely file the proper paperwork, wait the proper time limits, etc. You'll never know unless you try. I say start the process and take it one step at a time.