How to Make a Legal Name Change in West Virginia

West Virginia name changes must be approved by the court.

West Virginia law allows its citizens to legally change their name, or the name of their children. The state, however, does impose certain restrictions and requirements before a name can legally be changed. Citizens of West Virginia must ensure they meet these requirements, and take the proper steps to ensure their name change is valid.

Instructions

1. Meet the residency and age requirements. To change your name in West Virginia, you must have been a resident of the state for at least one year. Further, you must have resided in the same county for at least a year before you can file your petition with the county court. Anyone who wants to change their name must be at least 18 years old.

2. Understand the reasons allowed for a name change. West Virginia law allows citizens to change their name only in certain circumstances. You must be able to show the court sufficient reasons that a name change is consistent with the public interest. The most common reasons for meeting this requirement are: name change upon dissolution of marriage, divorce, or remarriage.

3. Prepare the petition. Anyone who wants to change their name in West Virginia, or the name of his or her child or ward, must file a petition with the Circuit Court requesting the change. They must also state the reasons why the name change is sought.

4. Publish the petition. West Virginia law requires that in addition to the filing of the petition with the court, notification of the proposed name change must be given to the public. This can be done by publicizing the petition in a local newspaper as a Class I legal document. The notice must state your present name, the name you wish to adopt, and the time and place the petition will be presented before a court.

5. Go before the court. On the day your petition is to be heard, you must go before the court and prove your case. Anyone who objects to the name change may also appear at that time. If the court finds that no injury or damage will be done to any person by reason of the name change, they will grant the petition.

References

• West Virginia State Legislature
• USLegal