name
Does a dual citizen who changes their name in one country have an obligation to change it in the other?
<p>I am asking specifically with regard to the USA and Australia, although I am interested in more general answers also.</p>
<p>As per the title, I am wondering if someone immigrates (in this case to the US) and changes their name (an option granted when obtaining citizenship), do they have an obligation to change it in other countries they may be a citizen of?</p>
<p>My thinking is no, as each country has their own courts and records, and as long as all names are declared and there is no malicious intent, no laws are being violated, but I am unsure.</p>

<p>No.</p>
<p>Both your country of origin and your new home country will only care of your name as in the documents issued by each of them respectively.</p>
<p>Mind though that absence of obligation to synchronize your names does not mean that you can freely use both identities within one country. For example, opening a bank account in the US using your original passport/name when you are already officially using another name there would be a very grey area bordering with identify fraud as it would effectively enable you to operate two different identities to gain any benefits not otherwise available.</p>

<h2>Your name is what you call yourself</h2>
<p>At least in <a href="/questions/tagged/australia" class="post-tag" title="show questions tagged &#39;australia&#39;" rel="tag">australia</a>.</p>
<p>While you can change your name by deed poll (or marriage), you are under no obligation to use your legal name except in circumstances where you need to definitively prove who you are. These include voting, financial institutions and buying real property. Apart from that, call yourself whatever you like.</p>
