Is there a laywer in the house?

[Beeeph]

In a society that demands perfection, I've been struck with a last name of Crotch, or at least a name that is close to it. Not only does it have the Word Crotch in the spelling, but it's pronounced Crotch-it, which only makes it worse. So the time has come to change it...and change it to something cool. I have a few good last names in mind, like Beer, but I dont wanna start a thread discussing suggestions for my new last name. It will be thought up and decided entirely by me.

I was wondering if anyone had any knowledge on the process of changing one's last name. I know some of you are studying law, while others have married and had their wive's last name changed. What does the process involve? Does it require the use of a laywer? Or can I just fill out and send off some paperwork?

[spidermonkey]

I'm not a lawyer, but I think that the best thing to do is stumble upon someone being killed by the mafia. Then all you have to do is testify in court and enter the witness protection program. Besides a new last name you can get a new house and maybe a free gallon of milk. Just make sure the house has an apple tree.

[Ocean11]

Start a hugely successful rock band, adopt your favoured name as your stage name, and stop hanging out with people that know your real name. It's easy really, especially if you can play the guitar.

[MizThang]

You have to file papers..like an application with your county and then contact the social security office, DOL....and so on..It is pretty easy and you don't need a lawyer...but you should always have someone look over any government documents...

[Megatron]

I prefer Crotchett. It's got personality if ya know what I mean. But then it again it might be fun the next time someone came up to you and said "Hey there CROTCHett, behehehe!". Because then you could snap three times in a "Z" formation in their face and say "that izzz SOOooOooOo yesterday, overrrRRrr it!"

[SpeedCricket]

My old lady just changed her name and only had to go to the secretary of state's office, the DMV, and then called all the people who send her letters demanding $$ every month and let them know.

I think that changing your name is a great idea... you can take mine if you want (it does kick ass), but that won't mean we're going steady or nothing - but you will be required to buy me Christmas and birthday presents and hide plastic eggs filled with candy on my patio for Easter if you do.
Some suggestions:
Joe Khan: Worked for Genghis....
Joe Abdulaziz al-Rahkman: won't they be surprised!
Joe Oej: think about that

Another suggestion: throw a dart at a map and take the name of whatever you hit....this could be good (Joe Diego/Joe Rapa/Joe Spitsbergen)
or bad; I just spun the globe and pointed and got those 3 good names, but my fourth spin hit Joe Karachi which is basically the name you have now in Pakistani....btw this is how the "Bay City Rollers" got their name....

[Beeeph]

Those are the best suggestions I've heard yet. But after much thought and consideration, I think I've settled on the name Joe Beer. It was close, it was a toss up between that and Joe Abdulaziz al-Rahkman.

Thanks people, the process is underway!

[Ocean11]

Wait, Joe Beer to be! Don't be so hasty!

Shouldn't you consider changing your name to Joe () Beer? That way, after you've informed the media of your crazy name-changing stunt, you can then start taking offers from the breweries for lucrative advertising space in your name.

[SpeedCricket]

Just remember that beer rhymes with queer....(sorry, just thinking of any future children you may have....)

[Beeeph]

My kids will praise me everyday of their lives for giving them the last name Beer, and not Crotch.