Washington DC Legal Name Change
Below are the relevant state statutes, as well as links to the form petitions and instructions for obtaining a legal name change for yourself or a minor.
If, after reviewing the information below, you find the need for further legal assistance, you should visit this online legal service.
If you are seeking a marriage name change or a divorce name change, your marriage license or divorce decree can serve as your legal name change document. Thus you can proceed to Name Change Notification, the final step of the name change process. Otherwise, read the information below and follow the links to learn about obtaining a legal name change.
Washington DC Code:
Title 16 Particular Actions, Proceedings and Matters, Chapter 25 Change of Name
Sec. 16-2501. Application; persons who may file. Whoever, being a resident of the District and desiring a change of name, may file an application in the Superior Court setting forth the reasons therefore and also the name desired to be assumed. If the applicant is an infant, the application shall be filed by his parent, guardian, or next friend. (Dec. 23, 1963, 77 Stat. 595, Pub. L. 88-241, § 1; July 29, 1970, 84 Stat. 560, Pub. L. 91-358, title I, § 145(i); 1973 Ed., § 16-2501.) D.C. Code Ann. § 16-2501 (1999)
Sec. 16-2502. Notice; contents. Prior to a hearing pursuant to this chapter, notice of the filing of the application, containing the substance and prayer thereof, shall be published once a week for three consecutive weeks in a newspaper in general circulation published in the District. (Dec. 23, 1963, 77 Stat. 595, Pub. L. 88-241, § 1; 1973 Ed., § 16-2502.) D.C. Code Ann. § 16-2502 (1999)
Sec. 16-2503. Decree. On proof of the notice prescribed by section 16-2502, and upon a showing that the court deems satisfactory, the court may change the name of the applicant according to the prayer of the application. (Dec. 23, 1963, 77 Stat. 595, Pub. L. 88-241, § 1; 1973 Ed., § 16-2503.) D.C. Code Ann. § 16-2503 (1999)
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