How do you legally create a pen name?

How do you legally create a pen name?
Set up a checking account in your given name with a DBA (Doing Business As) in your pen name.
Trademark your pen name if you want to identify a body of work such as a book series or screenplays.
Apply through the court system in your state for a legal name change to use your pen name in place of your given name.

  1. Set up a checking account in your given name with a DBA (Doing Business As) in your pen name.
  2. Trademark your pen name if you want to identify a body of work such as a book series or screenplays.
  3. Apply through the court system in your state for a legal name change to use your pen name in place of your given name.