How to Legally Change Your Last Name in Kentucky
Changing your last name is a task which involves time and complete cooperation with the Kentucky county of your residence. This is a legal process which can be undertaken by any adult over the age of 18 as long as the purpose does not involve evasion of a previous criminal charge and/or identity theft. Minors who wish to change their last name must do so with the permission of a parent or legal guardian.
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Instructions
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Visit the Kentucky Court of Justice Forms Library website. This page will give the option of locating a change of name form by searching numerically (according to the form number, which is 295) or categorically. If you choose to access the form with the latter method, scroll down to the Civil Forms section and select the PDF entitled "Petition For Name Change."
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Download and print the Petition for Name Change form. Complete every section. This can be done with our without the aid of an attorney, although it may be wise to consult with one regarding the full legal implications of a name change once it has been granted.
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File the completed name change petition at a Circuit Clerk's office. This must be done specifically at the office located within the county of your residence or the petition will automatically be denied.
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Attend the hearing date you have been assigned by the Circuit Clerk's office once your petition has been processed. This will be a time when the judge may ask certain questions to clarify why the name change has been requested and/or provide you with an opportunity to confirm your intent.
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Tips & Warnings
Although only one living parent's permission is required in order to obtain the last name change of their child, the other parent (if not deceased) must be given notice of the proceedings. Be sure to provide the written address of the absentee parent to avoid potentially prolonging the proceedings.
In Kentucky, it is a Class D felony to change one's name for the expressed purpose of avoiding a binding obligation and/or attempting to avoid prosecution for a crime. Discovery and prosecution of this offense may result in jail time.
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