Washington D.C., Legal Name Change Forms and Information

For an Washington, D.C. legal name change in through court order follow these steps:

  1. Download the Washington, D.C. legal name change form template;
  2. Review the general Legal Name Change and Washington, D.C. legal name change instructions carefully; and
  3. File in your local Washington, D.C. state court.

Washington, D.C. Legal Name Change State Laws:

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)

State Name Change Petition and Instructions
AdultFormInstructions
ChildFormInstructions