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Gevurtz Menashe

PDX 503.227.1515
WA 360.823.0410

Since 1982.

Legal Name Change

Serving Portland, OR and Vancouver, WA

Looking to Change Your Name or Gender?

The decision to change one’s name is not a small one. The process can be full of intricacies and variation and have a significant impact on daily life.

Regardless of what’s compelling you or your loved one’s name change, or what complexities are involved, we can assist. We’re well versed name change lawyers and can help ensure nothing’s overlooked. Your Gevurtz Menashe name change lawyer will guide you through the process with care and expertise.


 
Schedule a Consultation

Why Change Your Name?

Names are very personal and people decide to alter their legal names for a host of reasons. Common motivators include:

  • Change in marital status
  • Assuming a new gender identity
  • Safety or privacy concerns
  • Personal preference
  • Cultural or religious affiliation
  • Career or professional needs

It’s Not Just Your Name That Changes

A legal name change often necessitates updating a lot of other official records. Among the items that you might need to address are:

  • Driver's license or state ID
  • Passport
  • Social Security
  • Voter registration
  • Bank accounts
  • Credit cards
  • Insurance policies
  • Estate documents
  • Titles and deeds
  • Leases and mortgages
  • Employment records
  • School and educational records

Gevurtz Menashe Will Guide You Every Step of the Way

Formally changing your name is actually a multi-part process. There are important nuances based on factors like age, location, and situation.

If you opt to change your name, your best bet is to check with a family law attorney who has specific experience in these matters. Your name change attorney will be able to give you detailed and personalized guidance.
An experienced lawyer can also help you prepare the forms properly. They will be able to anticipate and address any difficulties that might arise and overcome them so your petition continues to progress.
 

Why We’re the #1 Choice for Legal Name & Gender Changes

Clients choose Gevurtz Menashe for their legal name change cases for a range of reasons.

A Record of Winning

We have extensive experience in handling cases like yours. Countless favorable judgements and happy clients are proof of our success.

Comprehensive, Meticulous Work

Our careful approach and focus on detail will benefit you. We aim to simplify the process and achieve better results with greater ease.

Personalized Care & Attention

Our compassionate team is here to support you throughout the entire process. We strive to understand your challenges and offer the necessary guidance.

Testimonial

“I cannot say enough wonderful things about GM. I worked closely with Shawn and Tiffany during my time as a client. Their knowledge, compassion, guidance and support was nothing short of exemplary. Their confidence and unwavering dedication to helping my children and me is something I am so grateful for. Every email and meeting was executed with thoughtful consideration of my individual situation. They proved to have a comprehensive understanding of potential interstate complications, and navigated them seamlessly. Each person from reception, to assistant, to attorney showed unparalleled professionalism. I left every meeting feeling empowered. Their dedication to me as a client did not end when my divorce/custody case was concluded. I was referred to Stephan who helped me in the next phase which was to reconstruct on a financial level- establishing trusts, directives, sale of properties, titles etc. I can say with certainty that having GM in my corner was the best decision I could’ve made.”
-Carlin Davis


 

Attorneys

  • Erica Aquadro Erica Aquadro Associate
    Erica Aquadro

    Erica Aquadro

    Associate
    Erica enjoys helping people find resolution in their lives. Whether she's dealing with a high conflict custody case or difficult property, business and support issues, Erica brings her keen ability to ask the right questions, listen with an open mind, and use that information to form practical advice and guidance through her legal counsel. Guided by her people-centered compassionate nature, Erica is the ultimate team player helping clients understand the complex legal process, define their own futures, and ultimately bring peace of mind to each person or family she has the opportunity to counsel. 

    When she’s not working, you’ll likely find Erica hiking with her husband and kids, reading, or traveling. Her favorite words to live by are guided by the former first lady, “When they go low, we go high.”

     
  • Tiffany Jensen Tiffany Jensen Shareholder
    Tiffany Jensen

    Tiffany Jensen

    Shareholder
    Tiffany helps her clients navigate through the difficult emotional, financial and social changes that surface in complicated interpersonal relationships. She provides practical guidance and thoughtful solutions to minimize and resolve disputes. Working with compassion and understanding during all phases of a family law case, she focuses on a common sense application of the law. She strives to provide personal and practical solutions to challenging legal problems. Tiffany received her Bachelor of Science and Juris Doctor from the University of Idaho. She is admitted to practice law in Oregon, Washington and Idaho.

    When not helping her clients with practical, compassionate solutions to their family law issues, Tiffany loves spending time with her family and friends. She also enjoys cooking, snowboarding, Chicago Bears football and soccer, whether she's on the field herself or watching others. She appreciates the benefits that come with living in the Pacific Northwest.
  • Sierra Fotos Sierra Fotos Associate
    Sierra Fotos

    Sierra Fotos

    Associate
    Sierra has a long history in family law, having grown up in a single-parent household. Family law is something that she understands has critical implications and importance.

    Sierra has worked in family law her entire career and understands that each case comes with its unique facts and specifics. She believes it is crucial to have a commonsense and practical approach to advocating for her clients. Sierra is driven to seek resolution for her clients and does not have any qualms about litigating on their behalf.  She enjoys helping her clients through these critical times of their lives.

    Sierra grew up in the Bay Area and finds Portland to be a perfect combination of city and wilderness. When not zealously advocating for her clients, Sierra can be found camping, exploring brunch locations, cheering on the Portland Thorns, or spending time with her family.

    “Not fragile like a flower, fragile like a bomb.” – Ruth Bader Ginsberg

     
Meet our entire team!

Our Locations

Portland

Vancouver

FAQ

  • How long does the name change process take?

    How long does the name change process take?

    It can vary depending on the jurisdiction and the complexity of the case. In some places, it can take a few weeks to several months. Some estimates indicate that the legal name change process in Oregon and Washington could take about 2 to 3 months. Consult with an attorney to get a better idea for your particular situation.

  • Can a name change lawyer assist with changing the name of a minor?

    Can a name change lawyer assist with changing the name of a minor?

    Yes, an attorney can guide parents or legal guardians through the legal requirements and process as well as represent the minor’s interests in court.

  • Will I need to appear in court for my name change?

    Will I need to appear in court for my name change?

    In most instances, a court appearance is required. However, in certain circumstances, this requirement may be waived.

  • What happens if my name change gets rejected?

    What happens if my name change gets rejected?

    You’ll be notified with the reason for the rejection. Depending on why your petition was rejected, you may be able to resubmit your application. An experienced name change attorney can help you address the issues with your petition.

Start Your Name Change Today!

The Gevurtz Menashe family law team has been assisting clients with legal matters, such as name changes, for over thirty years. In addition, we offer expert estate planning and family creation services. To find out more or to get started, please reach out to us and schedule a consultation at our office in Portland (503-227-1515) or Vancouver (360-823-0410).