How to Change Your Name in California

As a California resident, changing your name can be a bureaucratic nightmare, so it pays to be prepared when you decide to file. Follow these steps and the process should go smoothly.

Things You'll Need

• Official forms (available online or from the court)
• Petition for Change of Name (Form NC-100)
• Attachment to Petition (Form NC-110)
• Order to Show Cause for Change of Name (Form NC-120)
• Civil Case Cover Sheet (Form CSM-010)
• Decree Changing Name (Form NC-130)

Instructions

1. Log onto the California Court's website (see Resources) to download the necessary forms or go to the courthouse and pick them up in person. You will need the following forms to complete the name change process:

   1. Petition for Change of Name (Form NC-100)

   2. Attachment to Petition (Form NC-110)

   3. Order to Show Cause for Change of Name (Form NC-120)

   4. Civil Case Cover Sheet (Form CSM-010)

   5. Decree Changing Name (Form NC-130)

2. The questions are simple and don't require too much explanation, basically the forms are administrative in nature. Answer the questions to the best of your ability. Make sure you understand the questions before you answer them.

3. After you fill the forms out you'll need to make two copies of each. Then file all your papers with the copies in the court in the county where you live. This must be done in person and may not be submitted online.

4. Next the state requires that you publish the "Order to Show Cause" in a newspaper of general circulation one day of the week for four weeks in a row. You should check with the court to ensure the newspaper you choose to publish in is among the papers the court views as having "general circulation." You'll have to pay for this announcement and rates very among papers. Make copies of each time the ad runs and save the invoice for its printing dates.

5. Take your Decree Changing Name (Form NC-130) form to court, for the judge to sign, along with proof of publishing (your invoice or copies of your printed ad in the paper). The judge will sign your Decree Changing Name, get a certified copy from the court and you done. Name changed!

Tips & Warnings

• You will need a certified copy of your Decree Changing Name to change all your legal documents, including your birth certificate social security card and other documents like a driver's licenses and passports.

Resources

• Download forms from the California Court's website