How to Obtain an Adult Legal Name Change
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- Fill out one form and
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and we email you the
forms immediately!
- Your forms will be filled
out automatically. Just
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Adult Legal Name Change
After reviewing the free forms and information on this website, you may decide that you want to use another service to help you through the process, or may seek out an actual attorney for additional counsel. We encourage this, as we repeatedly mention throughout this website, some situations indeed require the assistance of an attorney. Do not be penny-wise and pound foolish. It is better to spend what you may believe to be too much money now, to avoid being forced to spend much more later.
Completing your legal name change forms
Notice of Publication of Name Change: This is the document that your local newspaper or courthouse will publish somewhere to inform the public that you are requesting a name change. The procedure varies by state and county, but the purpose is so everyone will be informed of the name change so that they may take whatever action is deemed necessary (e.g., going to your hearing to object to the change, making note of it because you happen to owe them money, etc.)
Affidavit: This is a document that you must sign in front of a notary public. Some states or counties require that you swear you are over the age of 18 and the information in your petition is truthful.
Judgment Entry Ordering Your Name Change: Some states require that the Judge enter an order commanding the newspaper to publish your Notice of Publication of Name Change. This is a document that you prepare and the judge signs.
Affidavit or Proof of Publication: This is an Affidavit that the newspaper (or other agency) that published your Notice of Publication of Name Change will sign as proof that you published it. Many courts require something like this be brought along to your hearing date to ensure you have followed all of the requirements.
Judgement Entry Ordering Name Change: This is the official document that the Judge or court officer will sign ordering your name change. You will make certified copies of this document and it will serve as your “proof of name change” for when you notify all of the appropriate government and private agencies.
Filing Your Name Change Forms and Getting a Hearing Date
Preliminarily, contact the clerk of your county’s Probate Court to find out what the filing fee is so that you will be sure to bring the correct amount with you.
After you have completed the above-described forms, take them to your local clerk of the local Probate Court of your county. The filing clerk will give you a receipt of your filing, a case number and will either give you a hearing date, or tell you where to obtain one.
Publications of Your Notice of Name Change
Most all states require that you notify the public of the name change. Some states require that you coordinate publishing your Notice of Name Change with your local newspaper on your own and others do it for you. Contact your clerk prior to going to going in to find out what your state does. If you need to do it, you may also want to ask what newspaper they recommend to ensure you are not publishing it in a newspaper they deem unacceptable.
Once you decide on the appropriate newspaper, coordinate with them (or the Court) to ensure you will obtain the Affidavit of Publication from the newspaper or courthouse so that you can bring it to your hearing if required.
Attending the Legal Name Change Hearing
Simply show up for the hearing date on time and explain that you want a name change when the court calls your name.
To ensure that it goes well, you should read your paperwork again to ensure that you understand everything in it. Make sure to bring the copies of the stamped forms you already filed, your affidavit/proof of publication, and any locally required forms with you.
The procedure is generally fairly informal, but be sure to address the Judge as Your Honor, be respectful, and always tell the truth. When your case is called, hand over your paperwork to the court officer and simply answer the Judge’s questions truthfully.
We’ve made it all so brilliantly simple all you do is fill out one easy form, instead of what seems like countless forms.
One form auto-fills out all
We’re not just another name change kit that provides you with the name-change forms you need and leaves it up to you to fill them all out. We provide a brilliantly simple new way to change your last name online.
Just fill out our one easy form – and our system automatically fills out all of the other forms you need.
Just fill out our one easy form – and our system automatically fills out all of the other forms you need.
Start now
Fill out one easy form
and you’ll be on your
way to a new name –
and a new life!
and you’ll be on your
way to a new name –
and a new life!
Click on your state below for free information on how to get started with your Marriage Name Change:
Complete package by email
Click COMPLETE and we email you all the forms immediately.
- Sign, date, and file them – and you’re done! Name changed. New life. No wasted time. No hassles at all.
- You can go on with your happy married life, your newly single life, or any other life you want to enjoy with your new name or with your child’s new name.
