General information, not legal advice. NewLastName isn't a law firm, doesn't give legal advice about your situation, and doesn't refer you to lawyers.
Changing a child's name in California
In California, changing a child's name usually means a court petition, and the other parent has to get notice. Other states have their own rules. When every parent signs, California's courts say you file together and publish notice, and it generally takes up to three months (source: California Courts, https://selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/name-change/name-child). A name change does not decide who the parents are.
Last checked: 2026-10-10 for the court and agency pages linked here. California's filing fee was checked on the statewide civil fee schedule on 2026-10-19.
Key facts for California
| Point | Source |
|---|---|
| Agreed request | Change a child's name when all parents sign |
| Time when all parents sign | Generally up to 3 months (source: California Courts) |
| Filing without the other parent | The state overview says you must serve the other parent |
| Parentage | The overview says a name change does not change who a child's legal parents are |
| Petition form | NC-100 can start a case for a child's name. Read the form page for the current use. |
What the California pages describe
- If all parents agree. The all-parents page says you file together, publish a newspaper notice, and either attend a hearing or receive an order without one, depending on the court.
- If a parent is not signing. 'Serve' means formally delivering the papers. The California Courts name-change overview says that parent has to be served. The court's self-help center can walk you through how.
- Publication. The agreed-parents page says you publish notice. Read publication for the adult exceptions. Do not assume those exceptions apply to a child's case unless the form instructions say so.
- After the decree. Use certified copies for the birth record, Social Security, and a passport. Social Security name-change page and the State Department passport name-change page are the federal pages.
What differs by state
Who must be notified, and whether a child case is heard in family court or civil court, is a state rule. Our child name-change page has more detail.
| State | Official page | State guide |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona | Court page | State guide · Court petition page |
| California | Court page | State guide · Court petition page |
| Florida | Court page | State guide · Court petition page |
| Georgia | Court page | State guide · Court petition page |
| Illinois | Court page | State guide · Court petition page |
| Massachusetts | Court page | State guide · Court petition page |
| Michigan | Court page | State guide · Court petition page |
| New Jersey | Court page | State guide · Court petition page |
| New York | Court page | State guide · Court petition page |
| North Carolina | Court page | State guide · Court petition page |
| Ohio | See the state guide | State guide · Court petition page |
| Pennsylvania | Court page | State guide · Court petition page |
| Texas | Court page | State guide · Court petition page |
| Virginia | Court page | State guide · Court petition page |
| Washington | Court page | State guide · Court petition page |
| Washington, D.C. | Court page | State guide · Court petition page |
Free official help
Use the court's self-help pages for a minor's name, and the self-help center if the parents do not agree. This page does not refer you to a private lawyer.
Also on this site
Official sources
Forms, fees and rules change. Check these official pages (and your county court) before you file.
- Name change self-help guide (California Courts Self-Help Guide) Last checked 2026-10-09.
- Change a child's legal name when all parents sign (California Courts Self-Help Guide) Last checked 2026-10-10.
- Petition for Change of Name (form NC-100) (California Courts Self-Help Guide) Last checked 2026-10-10.
- Change your name with Social Security (Social Security Administration) Last checked 2026-10-09.
- Name change for a U.S. passport or correct an error (U.S. Department of State) Last checked 2026-10-09.
Not legal advice. NewLastName is not a law firm, and not affiliated with any court or government agency.