Shortly before Election Day 2001, an attorney for de Blasio prepared papers for a Brooklyn judge to officially change Warren de Blasio-Wilhelm to Bill de Blasio. The application stated de Blasio "is now known both professionally and socially as Bill de Blasio and has been known by that name for many years. He is not known by the name Warren de Blasio-Wilhelm and has not used that name professionally or socially for many years." The original date on the application was Nov. 3, 2001 — three days before Election Day — but the date was crossed out and replaced by Dec. 3, 2001. The application was submitted on Dec. 18, and approved by a judge on Jan. 4, 2002.