In the modern world, it’s not uncommon for people to want to change their identities in some way. Whether you’re moving to a new city or just want to get away from old friends and acquaintances, there may come a time when you want to completely reinvent yourself. In some cases, you may simply need a new identity to access certain privileges that are unavailable with your current name.
Changing your identity is no easy task, but it can be done if you know what you’re getting into. So, suppose you have an ulterior motive for wanting an identity change or just enjoy dressing up as somebody else once in a while. In that case, this article covers everything you need to know about changing your identity without getting caught.
Table of Contents
Change Your Name
Changing your name is the easiest part of the identity change process. There are a few ways you could go about this, and all of them are legal.
The first is to start introducing yourself by the new name and hope that people catch on. This is the most common option, but it’s also the least reliable. Some people may never learn your new name, and others may just call you by your old name out of habit.
The second option is to file for a legal name change. This can be costly, but it guarantees that everyone learns your correct name, and you’ll get a name change certificate. This is essentially an official-looking document that proves your name was legally changed.
But before you start changing your name, you should know a few things.
First, you must be at least 18 years old to legally change your name, but in most states, you can do it much younger. Second, make sure you do it the right way. This means going to court and getting a judge’s approval. Third, don’t change your name to anything illegal. This includes racial slurs, curse words, and religious insults.
Finally, your name change will not go unnoticed. The government keeps track of this information, and your new name will be available to anyone who looks you up in a database.
Get a New Address
Moving to a new address is among the first steps to creating a new identity. Ideally, this would be in a different city, but it can be done in your neighborhood if you’re willing to put in the effort to prevent the government from keeping track of your moves.
Moving multiple times in a relatively short period is a surefire way to get your name into the government’s database. The best way to avoid this is to move to a new city with no history of keeping track of people moving in and out.
If you must move to your city, try to remain in that neighborhood for at least a year to avoid suspicion.
Now, moving is much easier said than done, but there are a few things you can do to make it more likely to happen.
First, you must have a valid reason for wanting to change your address. While it’s not illegal to move around a lot, it will raise red flags if you don’t have a legitimate reason, as pointed out earlier. Second, start small. If you want to move from New York to Nevada, don’t just show up with your bags. Instead, start by moving to a different city in your state.
Third, be consistent. If you keep moving around, it will be evident that you’re trying to avoid something. Consistency makes you look more legitimate and helps you build a track record.
Get A New Haircut
Getting a new haircut is a great way to disguise your appearance, but it doesn’t affect your ID.
That said, your appearance is a crucial part of your identity, and changing how you look can be enough to throw off anyone trying to track you down by face. If you’re trying to change your appearance, try to keep in mind that most people’s appearance changes with age, so a drastic change may be enough to raise suspicions.
Get a Lawyer to Help
Suppose you have a severe reason for changing your identity, such as fleeing an abusive relationship or escaping from criminal charges. In that case, you may need a lawyer to help you make the transition. This can be expensive and time-consuming, but it may be necessary if you want a successful change.
You can find a lawyer at your local courthouse or online. You may have to retain an attorney, pay a retainer, or sign a contract before they will help you. This is a good idea because you want to ensure the lawyer is fully committed to your case before giving them your money.
Move to a New Country
Many people dream of becoming ex-pats, but for others, it’s a matter of necessity. Whether you have a criminal record, a stalker, or simply owe too much in taxes, moving to a new country can be an excellent way to get a fresh start and start over with a clean slate.
You’ll need to do several things to make this happen, including finding a new job, getting your education credentials translated, finding a place to live, and getting your government ID in order.
This will require a lot of preparation, but it can be done if you want to leave the country. Remember that you can’t just disappear without a trace in the hopes of never being found. The government keeps track of all ex-pats, and they’ll know when you move out of the country.
Create A New Identity With Fake References
Creating fake references can be an effective way to get a new job with a new identity, but it can be pretty difficult.
First, you’ll need to create a convincing story about why you changed your name. When you can’t provide any documentation, employers may want to call your references. Unfortunately, this is where you’d have to come up with fake names.
It may be challenging to get away with this, but it’s better than providing a name that will get you caught.
Get Plastic Surgery If You Can Afford It
If you are on the run from the law or have a history of abuse, plastic surgery can be an effective way to change your appearance. The downside to this method is that it only works once, and it’s a costly investment. Also, it’s an invasive procedure, so it’s essential to do your research and choose a surgeon with a good reputation.
Change Your Social Security Number
In the United States, every citizen has a Social Security number. This is a unique identifier that is used for everything from paying taxes to applying for benefits.
However, It’s not easy to change your Social Security number, but it can be done if you have a genuine reason for needing a new number, such as someone using your SSN for work purposes.
If you don’t, you can try and use a false identity. This is overall a difficult task, and it probably won’t work. It will probably get the government’s attention.
You can apply with a false identity, but there’s a good chance that the application will be rejected, and you might be flagged as a high-risk identity. Even if that doesn’t happen, your application will be recorded in a database which could cost you in the future.
Creating a New ID With Fake Documents
Creating a false identity with fake documents is a risky and complicated task. If you choose to go down this route, you’ll need to develop fraudulent birth certificates for yourself and your family members, falsify school records, get a fake driver’s license, and more.
Creating fake documents is not a do-it-yourself job and can be very expensive. Be sure to find reliable forgers who have experience creating falsified documents.
Change Your Style of Clothing
Your clothing style is a small part of your overall identity, but it’s essential. You can make subtle changes to your wardrobe that change your appearance and your personality simultaneously.
Try experimenting with colors, fabrics, and designs to find out what suits you best. While these changes don’t directly affect your ID, it’s essential to remember that they can indirectly affect your reputation.
If you’re trying to escape a bad reputation, you may want to avoid wearing the same clothing styles associated with that reputation.
In Conclusion
Changing your identity can be difficult and risky, but it can also be extremely rewarding. If you’ve ever wanted to reinvent yourself, now is your chance. Before you commit to a change, make sure you have a good reason for doing so and that it’s not something you’ll regret down the line.
Just remember to be safe and cautious when trying to change your identity. You don’t want to get caught and have to start over again. If you follow the advice in this article, you’ll be well on your way to a new identity.
