How to Undergo a Court Petitioned Name Change

There are many reasons for seeking a name change. One might be divorced, or seeking a divorce, and might want to go back to a past married name or maiden name. It's also possible one has changed his or her gender and a name change might be in order.

Perhaps you have gotten married recently and you realize there's a need to take the last name of your spouse.

In this case, going to court might not be a necessary since the local social security office and DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) can be contacted to request whether a social security card name and driver's license name can be changed by showing the marriage certificate or marriage license.

However, if this isn't the case, a court order—granted by a court petitioned name change request—might be required and it's important to be prepared for it.

It's also worth noting that in a state such as California, every American citizen living there has the legal right to seek a name change by just using a wholly new name in every area of life in what's known as the Usage Method.

Nonetheless, there are a couple of exceptions where government agencies might need a court order as official proof of name change and thus seeking a court order is the best assurance and legal way of ensuring a name has been changed.

General information

Residents, in most cases, have to go to the Supreme Court of their respective county for a name change. In a city such as NYC, name change can be done in the Civil Court of New York City.

If a person is below the age of 18, a guardian or parent must file a petition on behalf of the minor and the judge must be convinced the name change is in the best interest of the child.

It's also important to note that no matter how clear the name change process before the law might be, consulting a lawyer is worth considering due to how quickly court procedures, agency rules, fees and laws change.

Gathering required papers

A birth certificate and court petition is required in many jurisdictions for a name change to be effected. Once you have acquired the petition (which may be available for download online), complete it and add all the personal information needed.

There are places like New York City where you need to add more information if it applies to you, such as whether you've been convicted of a crime, and you must indicate for what, where and when, and the outcome of the case.

Grounds of application

When it comes to grounds for applying for a name change, indicate clearly what the judge should know for why this is important to you.

You have the right to indicate whatever you want the judge to know the reasons for seeking a name change as far as whatever you are saying is truthful.

There may be a need for your name change announcement to appear in a newspaper, which only a judge can waive or declare that you don't have to (for a specific reason), such as risk to your life or safety.

However, in case of clear reasons why a name change shouldn't be printed in a local newspaper, you must indicate them.

For instance, hate crimes and domestic violence survivors might be at risk if their personal details were published.

The petition needs to be signed using the legal name you're currently using and notarizing it is very important, which the court may be able to facilitate.

For those who might not understand the English language clearly, the individual doing the translation of the petition needs to sign, including having a translation affidavit notarized in many jurisdictions.

It's also important to get a birth certificate that's been certified by the official custodian of that record. Check your state's "vital records" office for assistance.

For immigrants who have U.S. status, they have every right to have a name changed, although the details and process varies from one state to another.

In such a case, a birth certificate is required and if it's not available, immigration documents have to be used.

Undocumented immigrants living in the U.S. could change their names, but it's vital to speak with an attorney before commencing the process.

For transgender people, the law does not require them to show any medical evidence as support of seeking a name change.

In most cases, the judge will follow the law correctly, but if he or she doesn't and denies a trans person the right to change their name, some medical documentation might be required.

For such a circumstance, the important thing is talking to a psychologist, social worker or doctor to compose a letter detailing support for the petition to change your name.

If for any reason a name change is denied due to lack of medical evidence, legal help can be sought to have the wish granted or medical evidence can be submitted.

Criminal history

Those with criminal convictions also must submit a rap sheet or a disposition certificate for every conviction.

These disposition certificate copies can be collected from the specific court where one was convicted. Low income people might not have to pay any fee to collect these documents.

It's key to closely examine the rap sheet in case of any mistake, and if it shows you have an open arrest warrant, you must take care of it before the rap sheet filing in any court.

It's perhaps important to speak with an attorney at this juncture for more advice.

Supporting documentation

It's helpful to your case if you have extra documentation supporting what you're already saying in the petition to smoothen the process.

For instance, in case you'd like your information not to be published due to domestic violence, the Order of Protection you have might help if you attached a copy with the application.

In case paying for a change of name isn't possible, bringing a letter showing proof of inability to pay or limited income can help your plea and gain a potential fee waiver.

Filling out court forms

To request a court for a name change, different forms need to be filled out, which include Petition for Change of Name plus the Attachment to Petition for Change of Name, Civil Case Cover Sheet and Order to Show Cause for Change of Name.

There are courts that require everyone one who wants a name change to complete a local form, such as a form on criminal background.

It's important to ask your lawyer or the local court clerk whether there are local forms to be filled out. For any form you have filled out, keep copies.

A lawyer can help review your forms or you can approach the self-help center or the family law facilitator if available in your state to check your paperwork.

This ensures that you've properly filled out the forms before continuing the process. For every form, make at least two copies; the court keeps the original form and you remain with another while the second copy is for publishing in a public newspaper if necessary.

The clerk stamps the forms you brought with "Filed" before keeping the original and returning the other copies of the forms to you.

In the Order to Show Cause, find details on the court time, department number, and date.

The filing fee has to be paid and you can always enquire from your lawyer the filing fee required in case you are filing your first petition also known as first papers or first appearance.

Those who might not be able to afford the filing fee can request a fee waiver. Those with documents to support their inability to pay the fee claim have an advantage at this juncture.

Order to Show Cause for Change publishing

In many cases, the Order to Show Cause for Change of Name has to be published in a newspaper that is generally circulated and depending on a number of things, for up to four weeks, once every week.

The local court in most cases contains all the newspapers approved for legal notice publication.

Those in State Witness Program seeking a name change, or those within the confidentially address program, or changing names to avoid stalking, are sexual assault victims, or avoiding domestic violence might not need to have the Order to Show Cause published.

Publishing costs vary a lot among different newspapers and the court filing fee waiver does not cover publication cost.

So even if the judge grants a waiver to file your name change petition, the newspaper will not, as they're an independent, for-profit entity.

Ensure you know the publishing price prior to indicating in the Order to Show Cause for Change of Name the newspaper this will be published in.

The form can't be changed once the judge has signed it.

Court hearing

You can then appear in court on the indicated hearing date, and remember to carry proof showing the Order to Show Cause has been published in an agreed newspaper (if you had to publish).

The Decree Changing Name form should also be taken to the judge for signing.

Decree Changing Name collection

Once the judge has approved the name change request, the Decree Changing Name is signed and you can then go to the court clerk for a certified copy.

This is required for changing all legal documents, including social security card, birth certificate, and legal documents, plus other identifications issued by the government, such as a driver's license or passport.

Court approved

Name change on your social security card

Once you've legally changed your name due to a court order, divorce or marriage, the Social Security Administration needs to be alerted so that your card can be corrected.

To update your social security card, required documents need to be shown, including identity proof where U.S. citizenship attestation might be required or non-citizen lawful status.

Once your social security card application is filled out and printed, it can be mailed or taken to a local social security office.

Government legal documents

For a new driver's license or REAL ID card, you must go to the local department of driver services to apply for a new one.

If your name change is the only one you've done in the current period of your license, name change is typically free.

Updating a passport can be done by sending an application securely through the mail plus the reissue fee (if applicable) to the United States Department of State.

Birth certificate

To change the name on your birth certificate, your local or state-level vital records office needs to be contacted within the state you were born.

Non-government organizations

Once your name has been change in all your legal documents, ensure the name has been corrected with insurance companies, the bank, and any other businesses one has interacted with.

For such non-governmental entities, a photocopy of your court order will typically be accepted in place of a certified copy.