How to Legally Change Your Name in California on the House Title

If you get married or have another legal name change while owning property in California, you must change your name on the house title. Legally changing your name in a California court does not automatically change your name on real estate records. The name change on the deed to the house must be handled like a transfer because the clerk cannot simply change the name on the original deed.

Instructions

1. Visit your local court clerk once you receive your “Decree Changing Name” form from legally changing your name. You must get this form certified by your local court clerk in California. If you are not sure where your local court clerk is located, use the Calfornia Courts website (courts.ca.gov).

2. Contact your mortgage company, if you have a loan on the home, to change your name on the mortgage first. You will need to fax a copy of the certified name change degree to the mortgage company for your name to be changed.

3. Fill out a quitclaim deed in your old name as if you are transferring the home to your new name. Get the form notarized and submit it to your local county assessor’s office with a copy of your name change decree. The California State Board of Equalization website (bpe.ca.gov) has a list of all county assessor locations in the state. You must pay a filing fee, which varies by county.

References

• California Courts: Changing An Adult’s Name
• Sacramento County Public Law Library: Deeds

Resources

• California Courts: How-to Guide to Changing Your Name
• California Courts: Find My Court
• Sacramento County Public Law Library: Quitclaim Deed
• California State Board of Equalization: Listing of County Assessors