How to Change a Letter in Your Last Name in California

A California state court will likely approve a minor name change if it is not protected by copyright, motivated by fraud or otherwise unreasonable.

To officially change a letter in your name in California, you will have to petition a state court to approve the change. If the court does approve the change, it will issue a decree recognizing the change that you can use to change your various legal documents such as your Social Security card, driver's license and passport. Prior to approval, however, you must publish your proposed name change in an approved local newspaper.

Instructions

1. Download forms. The statewide name change forms are available for download from the online California Courts Self-Help Center (see link in the Resources section of this article). At minimum, you will need a Petition for Change of Name (Form NC-100), Attachment to Petition (Form NC-110), Order to Show Cause for Change of Name (Form NC-120) and the Civil Case Cover Sheet (Form CSM-010).

2. Complete forms, print and copy. Each of the forms listed in Step 1 is self-explanatory and simple to complete online. Forms NC-100 and NC-110 require you to identify yourself and provide your proposed new name or spelling. Leave the case number blank and fill it in when provided by the clerk. The Order to Show Cause, too, has spaces that must be completed by the court. As each form is completed, print an original to sign and make two additional copies of the executed original.

3. File in your local superior court. Take the completed forms and copies to the clerk of court of your local superior court (see the link in the Resources section of this article) The filing fee will depend on your county. When you file the forms, the clerk will fill in the case number and give you a hearing date for your Order to Show Cause.

4. Publish order. Request a list of acceptable newspapers from the clerk and contact them to publish the Order to Show Cause for a period of four consecutive weeks in at least one publication.

5. Attend hearing. At the date of your hearing, appear in court with proof of having satisfied the publication requirement and a copy of the Decree Changing Name (Form NC-130) for the judge's signature.

Tips & Warnings

• Some counties will require the use of local forms instead of the statewide forms provided by California Courts. Contact your local superior court or visit its website to determine whether you can use the state forms.

References

• Judicial Council of California Self-Help Center: How Do I Ask the Court to Change My Name?
• Judicial Council of California Self-Help Center: Name Change
• Judicial Council of California Self-Help Center: Name Change Forms

Resources

• Judicial Council of California Self-Help Center: NC 100, Petition for Change of Name
• Judicial Council of California Self-Help Center: NC 110, Attachment to Petition for Change of Name
• Judicial Council of California Self-Help Center: NC 120, Order to Show Cause for Change of Name
• Judicial Council of California: Find a Court