It's rarely easy when a marriage ends. In addition to the emotional issues of divorce, you also must handle the legal ramifications. Among these responsibilities can be the changing of your last name after filing for divorce. In Utah, you can change your last name easily provided you are 18 or older.
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Difficulty:
Moderately Easy
Instructions
Things You'll Need
Utah Department of Corrections Certification Regarding Sex Offender Registry form
Certify that your name is not on Utah's Sex Offender Registry List. Sex offenders are not legally allowed to change names in Utah. Fill out the Department of Corrections Certification Regarding Sex Offender Registry form and mail it to the Department of Corrections. (The mailing address is located on the form.) Attach it to your name-change documents once you receive the form back approved.
2
Complete the Petition for Name Change form and cover sheet. Download the forms at the Utah State Courts website at www.utcourts.gov/resources/forms/namechange/instruct.asp#forms. Fill out the Application and Affidavit for Waiver of Court Filling Fees form if you are a lower-income petitioner. This form can be found at the same website.
3
Have your forms notarized. Make sure not to sign any forms until a notary is present. You can sign your forms in front of the court clerk, who can double as a notary.
4
Take the documents listed in Steps 1 and 2 to district court in the county where you reside. Give the documents to the court clerk along with the court fee for processing the papers. You will receive a date for a hearing.
5
Attend your court hearing. A judge will take objections on your appeal to change your name. Most name changes, especially following a divorce, are approved. Divorce papers are not necessary in the process, but you may want to bring them to your hearing to help argue your case.
6
Update your remaining personal and legal documents. After your last name is changed you will need to change the rest of your official identification, including your driver's license and Social Security card. Use the name change ruling to complete these transactions.
Tips & Warnings
You can only change your name in Utah if you are 18 or older even though you can legally marry in the state before turning 18.
