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Simple English definitions for legal terms
legal name
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A quick definition of legal name:
A legal name is the name that a person is recognized by in the eyes of the law. It can be acquired at birth or through a court order and can include a person's first, middle, and last name. There are no rules governing the length or constitution of a legal name, but it must be used for legal purposes such as suing or being sued. A person's legal name is different from their nickname or assumed name and is important for identification and legal matters.
A more thorough explanation:
A legal name is a person's full name as recognized in law. It is usually acquired at birth or through a court order. There are no rules governing a legal name's length or constitution; it may be a single name (e.g., Prince) or include words not generally used in human names (e.g., Moon Unit).
For example, if a person's legal name is John Smith, that is the name they use on official documents such as their driver's license, passport, and tax forms.
It is important to use your legal name when conducting legal affairs such as suing, being sued, and paying taxes. A corporate name is also a legal name, which is the registered name under which a corporation conducts legal affairs.
It is different from a nickname or assumed name, which is a name that a person chooses to go by that is not their legal name. For example, if John Smith goes by the nickname "Johnny," that is not his legal name.