The process isn't much different for males or females, friend. In the USA, in most states you can change your name just by common usage. That is, just use the new name all the time, and it's yours! But you want to do it legally. In that case, you'll need to go through a lengthier process. Start by contacting a lawyer or your local county court to find out what paperwork you'll need to file. Usually, this includes a petition for name change, and a number of consent forms. You'll have to get the approval of the court, and you'll have to make a public notice of the name change (such as a classified ad in your local paper). Bear in mind that you'll have a number of fees to pay, as well. Most courts will accept any name, so long as it's not chosen for fraudulent puposes (i.e. you can't name yourself after a celebrity or business in hopes of profiting from the change). And, of course, after the change, you have to notify everyone from the SSA to your credit card company. This website explains the process in detail: http://www.soyouwanna.com/site/syws/changename/changenameFULL.html These websites will help you (or do it for you) for a fee: http://www.kitbiz.com http://www.uslegalforms.com/ http://www.legalzoom.com/name-change/ http://www.accessnamechange.com/

The simple action of adopting a new name will not give you the full benefits of a legal name change. When you adopt a new name on your own and gradually acquire new identification in the new name, it does not change the name on your birth certificate. Changing the name on your birth certificate is essential if you want to completely change your identity. There are many legal documents and activities that require you to provide your birth certificate for identification. For example, your birth certificate is required to apply for a passport. The passport office will not accept other forms of identification, unless they are issued by a court in a manner the government recognizes (e.g., naturalization papers). Simply possessing id under a different name does not constitute adequate legal documentation. Having a Social Insurance Number (SIN, Canada) or Social Security Number (SSN, US) issued also requires your birth certificate. And then there are the many other types of legal identification that require you to submit your SIN / SSN for information. A legal name change is done through application to the courts. This process varies on the jurisdiction, of which there are 50 in the US and 13 in Canada. For example, I was born and currently reside in Ontario, Canada. A legal name change issued by an Ontario court will also effect a change of name on my Ontario birth certificate. Therefore, I could fully assume a new identity and all documentation linked to the birth certificate could be changed accordingly. However, if I was born in another province, a legal name change from the Ontario courts would not change my birth certificate, since it was issued in a different jurisdiction. To have the birth certificate altered in this case, I would need to appply for a legal name change in the province of my birth. It is very easy to obtain a great deal of identification in a different name, but key legal documents are invariably tied back to your birth certificate or an equivalent document. Until you go through a legal name change that can be applied to your birth certificate, you cannot fully change your identification in the eyes of the law.