How to Change a Legal Name in Oklahoma
Changing your name in Oklahoma is as simple as filing a petition and notifying the public of your intent. The right to change your legal name is codified in Title 12, Chapter 33, § 1631 of the Oklahoma Statutes, "Right to Petition for Change of Name." All Oklahoma residents are permitted to change their names from the ones they were given in birth, marriage or adoption.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Determine if you qualify to change your legal name in Oklahoma. You must have been living in Oklahoma for at least 30 days before filing your petition and a resident of the county where you file the petition for 30 days beforehand. (The distinction is that you can be a resident of a state that you don't live in and vice versa. The statute requires both residency and domicile.) If you are a minor, you can still change your name, but a parent or guardian will have to file the petition on your behalf.
-
2
Complete and file your petition, making sure it contains the following: (1) your name and address, (2) a statement as to your living and residing in Oklahoma for the prior 30 days, (3) your date and place of birth, (4) your birth certificate number and where that is registered, (5) the name you want to change to, (6) the reason you want to change your name, (7) assurance that you aren't changing your name for an illegal purpose or to evade creditors. The petition must also contain a verification, where you swear that everything herein is true. The verification should be notarized. See Reference 2 for a form version of the Petition for Change of Name of Adult.
-
-
3
Notify the public of your requested name change by printing a publication notice. This notice must be published at least ten (10) days before the hearing on your petition, in a newspaper authorized to print legal notices and located in your county. Most newspapers are so authorized, but if you have any doubt, just ask. The notice must contain (1) the case caption and number, (2) when and where the hearing will be held, and (3) that anyone may file a written protest to the change before the hearing.
-
4
Attend the hearing scheduled for your name change. So long as the court does not find that you are changing your name for an illegal or fraudulent purpose, or that you made misrepresentations in your petition, then your petition will be granted.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
This article is meant as an overview and is in no way a substitute for legal advice from qualified counsel.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit signature image by photlook from Fotolia.com
