How to Legally Change Your Name in Wisconsin
In the state of Wisconsin, you must be a permanent resident in order to file a petition with the courts to change your birth name or married name legally. If you are under the age of 14 years of age, both parents, one parent if the other parent cannot be found, a legal guardian, or a single mother if never married to the father, must petition for the name change.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Use the correct form for the name change. If you are an adult or are 14 years of age or older, use form CV 450. If you are under the age of 14, use form CV 455.
-
2
Fill out the form with black ink and print clearly or type it. Enter your first, middle and last name. Enter the address, date of birth, name that appears on your birth certificate and, if you have a job, your job title. Check any boxes that apply to your circumstances as directed on the form. The last line of the form is for the name you wish to change to. You must give a detailed reason below it.
-
-
3
Sign the petition in front of a Notary Public. You will need a picture ID to verify your identity. Banks usually have Notary Publics, as will the clerk's office where you submit the form.
-
4
Make two copies of the signed form. File both copies with the office of the Clerk of Courts in the county in where you reside. The clerk will assign a judge and case number and set the hearing date.
-
5
Place an advertisement in the local newspaper under Legal Notices once a week for three weeks. This must be completed before the court hearing. Use form CV 460. Fill out the form correctly and submit it to the newspaper. A fee will be charged to run the legal notice. You will be given a form stating that the legal notice was run and how many times, with dates. Keep this document for court.
-
6
Appear at the scheduled hearing on time and let the bailiff know that you are in the courtroom. Bring along the proof of publication that you received from the local newspaper and submit it to the judge.
-
7
Answer all questions that the judge will ask you under oath. After the judge has granted the name change, take the case file back to the office of the Clerk of Court. Purchase two certified copies of the final order.
-
8
Send one copy of the order to the Wisconsin Office of Vital Records, P.O. Box 309, Madison, WI 53701-0309 if you were born or married in Wisconsin, or you can file it with the county Vital Records Office in the the offrice of the Clerk of Courts. If you were born or married in a state other than Wisconsin, write to that state's Vital Records office to find out what is required to change your vital record information.
-
9
File the second certified copy with the Register of Deeds in the county where you reside.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
In Wisconsin, a person who continually and consistently uses a different name other than his birth name for any reason other than for fraudulent purposes will have that name recognized as his legal name.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit legal pad and mechanical pencil image by alpy7 from Fotolia.com
