How to Petition for a Name Change
There are a number of legitimate reasons to change your name including marriage, adoption, religious conversion or personal preference. Unless you're trying to avoid prosecution or hide a part of your past, changing your name should be a straightforward process. It requires a clean background check, proper documentation of who you are, correctly filled forms and, in many cases, a lawyer to help you through the legal proceedings.
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Instructions
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Makes sure you meet the requirements. The laws about who can change their name vary from state to state. In general, you must be 18-years-old and must have lived in your state of residence for a given amount of time. Petitioners with criminal records may have to notify local or state police.
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Retain an attorney if you suspect there will be a problem. If you believe someone will object to your name change, or if obstacles such as a criminal past may prevent you from changing your name, you may need an attorney. An attorney can explain the legal process and your options, can help you complete the necessary paperwork and will argue your case before the court.
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Complete a petition. Petitions for name changes are generally available at a local civil courthouse. Petitions are different in each state, but typically include basic information such as your current name, address, birthplace and birth certificate number. You may also need to include the reason you're requesting the change. Petitions commonly require you to affirm under penalty of perjury that your name change is not part of an attempt to do something illegal or fraudulent.
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Follow any secondary instructions. Some states, such as California and Indiana, require petitioners to notify the public of their hearing date. This may require advertising over several weeks in the legal notices section of the local newspaper.
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Attend your hearing, or complete the necessary waiting period as provided by state law. Your state may require a hearing to review your petition, verify your identity and hear any objections from the public. Some states allow name changes without a hearing as long as no one has objected.
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Tips & Warnings
If you are changing your last name because of marriage or divorce, your marriage certificate or divorce decree is probably all you need. Get a certified copy to take to the Social Security Administration office, along with government-issued ID such as your driver's license or passport. Your new Social Security card will enable you to change your name as needed at the Department of Motor Vehicles, with banks and credit card companies, and at any other institution.
