Instructions Updated 07/01/2023
INSTRUCTIONS FOR A NAME CHANGE
STEP 1-
FILL OUT THE
PETITION
1. Completely fill out the Petition for Name Change.
2. Petitioner = Your full current legal name
3. Include the reason for the change
4. Be sure to have your current and proposed name spelled correctly
STEP 2-
FILE YOUR
PETITION
1. Make one copy of your completed Petition for Name Change for
your records.
2. File the original and copy with the clerk’s office
3. There is a fee of $132. If you cannot afford the fee, you may fill
out an Application for Free Process to have your fee reduced.
STEP 3 -
OBTAIN A
HEARING DATE
FROM CLERK’S
OR JUDGE’S
STAFF
1. Fill out the Request for Hearing.
2. Fill out Notice of Hearing leaving the date and time blank. The
date and time will be completed by the Court, Trial Court
Administrator.
3. Please submit the original of both the Request and Notice of
Hearing along with 2 copies (or more if needed to accommodate
all parties entitled to notice) and self-addressed stamped envelopes
for all parties entitles to notice. The Trial Court Administrator for
the assigned judge will use the envelopes to mail out the notice of
hearing to all parties listed.
STEP 4 -
GO TO YOUR
HEARING
1. Fill out the Order for Name Change and/or Birthdate Correction
and bring it with you to your hearing.
2. The judge will review the Order, and may have questions for you.
3. If everything looks in order, the judge will sign the Order.
STEP 5 -
FILE YOUR
ORDER
1. After the judge signs the Order, take the signed Order to the court
clerks so they can officially file the order. Once the order is
officially filed, the name change is official.
2. Ask the court clerks to certify as many copies of the Order as you
need. Social Security, the County Clerk, and other agencies will
want certified copies of the Order. The fee for certified copies is
STEP 6 -
RECORD YOUR
ORDER WITH
COUNTY CLERK
1. You need to record a certified copy of the Order with your County
Clerk.
2. The County Clerk is not the same as the court clerks.
If you are unsure where your County Clerk is located, check with the court
clerk’s office.