The process of changing your name varies depending on where you live, but typically involves completing forms and providing necessary documentation. Restrictions may apply, such as needing consent if under 18 or being unable to change your name if incarcerated or registered as a sexual predator.
There are many circumstances in which you may wish to apply for a name change, including both divorce and marriage. The rules governing the process vary widely from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, but it is typically a two-step process of completing the appropriate forms and returning those forms to the appropriate office with all necessary documentation. There are some restrictions on filing a name change petition depending on the legal status of the person requesting the name change.
The first step in filing for a name change is to go to the court in the jurisdiction where you live and request the appropriate forms from the clerk. Instructions relating to the rules and required documentation must be attached to the forms. Typically, the required documentation consists solely of a certified birth certificate, but other jurisdictions sometimes require additional information, such as an affidavit of consent to a name change. Additionally, there is generally a modest judgment fee that must be provided for the service.
The typical petition for a name change form requires the signer to provide identifying information such as the signer’s current name, date of birth, and address. The applicant must then identify the name change she is requesting and if she is not of legal age, it must be indicated that the applicant is the parent or legal guardian of the child. Usually, as is required when a person with multiple children marries, the form requires multiple names to be changed in one filing. Before sending these forms to the appropriate party with all the necessary documentation, the forms must also be notarized for verification purposes.
However, there are some common restrictions on granting a petition for a name change. As mentioned above, if the person is under the age of majority, you may only change your name with the express written consent of your parent or legal guardian. Anyone currently incarcerated in prison is generally prohibited from making a name change. Also, if the party is required to register as a sexual predator or violent party with the government even after release from prison, they will not be allowed to change their name. Additionally, anyone with a prior felony conviction is generally required to take additional steps to ensure government notification of the name change.
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