legal names
Names on documents
A legal name is the name recognized by government and official institutions—the one on birth certificates, passports, and contracts.
People distinguish legal names from nicknames, stage names, or names used socially: Her legal name is Elizabeth, but everyone calls her Liz.
Legal names can be changed through court processes like marriage or formal petition.
- registrationFormal recording of participation
- passportGovernment-issued travel credential
- official documentsVerified governmental or institutional papers
- forenameGiven name at birth
- signatureHandwritten name for verification
jurisdictions · affidavit · verification · matronymic · birth certificate · authentication · pseudonym · mononym · witness protection · alias · minors · identity · notarization · documentation · witnesses · court order · historical record · apostille
legal namesnicknames
Informal substitute names
aliases · pseudonyms · assumed names · pen names · stage names
legal namesaliases
Alternate assumed identities
cover names · fictitious names · nom de guerre · nom de plume · pseudonyms
legal namesnicknames
Informal substitute names
pet names · diminutives · terms of endearment · short forms · familiar names
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