Name Change

There are a variety of reasons you may be considering a name change. Common reasons are divorce, dissatisfaction with your current name or the desire to change your child or family’s last name.

You can’t change your name if:

• You are changing your name to fraudulently avoid debts, punishment, etc.
• The new name will be intentionally confusing such as the number “8″ or the symbol “!”, or
• The new name is racially offensive or obscene.

Generally, a petition will be filed with the court citing your reason for wanting a name change to initiate the process. Depending on the court you file in, there might be a hearing that you may be required to attend and publication of the name change notice might be required in a newspaper of general circulation in the county in which you reside. If your petition is approved, you will receive an order of name change from the court.