TLSC provides free legal services to underserved Texans in need of education, advice, and representation. If approved by the court, you will be granted a name change on a court order that you can use to have your name or your childs name changed. While name changes are often combined with a marriage or a divorce, this section addresses a name change as its own process. List your new name on your marriage certificate. If you want to change your childs name and there is no adoption involved, youll need to go through your states name change procedure for a minor. Change documents to reflect your new name. If you need a court order, you can use the forms in this toolkit. If you want to change your childs name, use the forms found in this toolkit: I want to change my childs name. Fill out the appropriate form . See the Understanding the Law box below for resources that help explain the law. You can only restore your maiden name, not change it to a new one. Apart from Texas Vital Statistics which amends birth certificates in cases of typographical errors there is no state agency that handles a request for a name change. Please take our patron satisfaction survey! This article provides information on protected sensitive data; data that appears in public records; and sealing records. Here, learn the steps for legally changing a child's name in Texas. What if I just need to correct the spelling of my childs name on his or her birth certificate? Your financial situation is unique and the products and services we review may not be right for your circumstances. Yes. You must tell the other parent that you want to change your childs name (unless the other parents parental rights have been terminated). A. If you were recently married, you may be able to change your last name to your spouses last name without a court order by providing proof of your marriage to the social security office and drivers license office. Digital strategy, design, and development byFour Kitchens. A. SeeTexas Family Code 45.103(b)(2). If you were convicted of a felony, you must show that: To make minor corrections to a childs first or middle name(s), contact the Texas Bureau of Vital Statistics, www.dshs.state.tx.us to amend the birth certificate. 3. Information from the U.S. Social Security Administration on how to update your social security card with your new name. To change your name on your voter registration card, notify your County Voter Registrar in writing. Turn in your Petition and other starting forms (and copies). The childs first, middle and last names are changed by adoption to the name(s) you choose (if you wish to change one, two or all). This page lists all of TexasLawHelp.org's information on name changes for both adults and children. If you were pardoned, get a copy of your pardon or clemency proclamation from the Secretary of State Registrations Unit. For parents and guardians. Get instructions and do-it-yourself child name change forms here: I want to change my child's name. Fill out this additional form only if you have a low-income, receive public assistance because you have a low income, or cannot pay the court filing fee: Note: You can print your court forms and fill them out neatly in blue or black ink. Fill out the order but don't sign it. Name Change Forms | How to Legally Change Your Name Updated May 11, 2023 Name change forms vary by state and allow an adult or minor (child) to change their legal name. You can get certified copies of your marriage license from the clerk in your local town or city. How to file for a name change in Texas if you are 18 years or older and want to legally change your name. DPS uses an outside company called Safran for fingerprints. You can also change your name in a divorce proceeding without having to file a separate name change petition. After the court approves your name change request, you should update your name on government identification and other documents. It's time to officially change your last name! The resources listed below explain how to accomplish a legal name change in the courts. I want to change my name You missed a step in the process (e.g. A legal name change requires petitioning the courts for a court order. No. Write Exhibit at the top of each document and attach each document to your Petition to Change the Name of an Adultform. If you file in person, the clerk will file-stamp the copy of your Petition with the date and give the copy back to you. Yes, but there are more requirements. Get more information here: FAQs about Clemency Process. Ask the clerk to stamp your copies as "filed." You may have to pay an additional fee for a certified copy of the name change. Free form and instructions on filing the Statement are available at www.texaslawhelp.org. 2. But there are other situations in which you might want to change your name or your childs name: There are many other reasons why you might want to change your name or your childs name and for the most part you have the freedom to do so. Common reasons for name changes include marriage, divorce and other significant life shifts. If that is the case, get proof of what your name is in your criminal history record information. Listed below are some of the library resources that can provide further guidance on this topic. For each felony conviction, get proof that: 2) it has been at least two years since you were discharged or completed probation. Subchapter A of chapter 45 governs name changes for children. Technically, you can change your name as many times as you want to. Pay the filing fee, unless you filled out a Statement of Inability to Afford Court Costs. The reason for your name change will dictate which legal process you need to follow. Pay the filing fee (or file your completed Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs if you cannot afford the fee). Finally, to learn what to expect and what to do, read Tips for the Courtroom. It's beneficial to familiarize yourself with the county's specif. In order to legally change your child's last name after divorce in Texas, you will need to submit a Petition to Change the Name of a Child, request a hearing, and appear before a judge. If you want to use a name other than your married name or your pre-marital name, you have to go through your states name change process. Digital strategy, design, and development byFour Kitchens. Legal Name Change | TotalLegal Your name will not be changed until the Order is filed. Information about legally changing one's name in the state of Texas. If you were on felony probation or juvenile probation for a felony, get proof that you completed your period of probation from the district clerks office in the county where you were prosecuted. How to fill out the petition is self-explanatory, but make sure you get theadult petitionbecause there are separate petitions to change a child's name. For more information, visit Address Confidentiality Program. Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs (only if you are asking the judge to waive the filing fee). Read about birth certificate amendments and get the application at the web site of the Texas Department of Health and Human Services: Requirements for Changing Vital Records. You can have your maiden name restored as part of your divorce. Depending on your state, you may have to publish notice of your name change application. If you have a low income, you can ask the Court to waive the filing fee by completing and filing a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs. Please contact us if you have any questions about these materials. Not for sale. TexasLawHelp.orgis managed by Texas Legal Services Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Related Articles Name Change Name-change basics for both children and adults. Ask the clerk if there is a local standing order that you need to follow or attach to any of your documents. They are not for sale. Federal and state agencies to notify of a name change | USAGov Contact the district clerks office in the county where the child lives to learn the filing fee for your case. I am worried about including my address on my court documents. You must pay a filing fee, and attach a card with your fingerprints to the petition. If you made a mistake in the process or forgot a form, you may have the opportunity to amend your filing by adding the missing documents within a certain period of time. 7. Sworn affidavit containing the necessary elements for adult name change. Please try again later. File for Your Marriage Certificate In all the chaos (and the magic!) in person and bring: A completed Application for Texas Title (Form 130-U) with your new name. You can simply change your name in your marriage license or in your divorce decree. This project from Pride Center San Antonio assists transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals with gender marker and name changes on identifying documents. Past performance is not indicative of future results. This page provides answers to frequently asked questions about changing a child's name. 1. You can find information on your state court website. Alternatively, the court may take care of this for you. Choose your new name. Dallas County | Legal Name Change Procedures Texas family law practice and procedure [electronic resource], https://guides.sll.texas.gov/name-changes, State Bar of Texas Lawyer Referral Service, Texas Family Code, Chapter 45, Subchapter A, Texas Family Code, Chapter 45, Subchapter B, How to Change a Child's Name (TexasLawHelp.org), Birth Record FAQs (Texas Vital Statistics), Change or correct your name on your Social Security number card, How to Change Information on Your Driver License or ID Card, Texas Name and Gender Marker Change Guide, ID Documents Center: Texas (National Center for Transgender Equality), Travis County Gender Marker and Name Change Kit (Travis County Law Library), Gender Affirmation Project (Pride Center San Antonio), Trans Name and Gender Marker Project (UT Austin School of Law), Learn more about how to register from home, Please take our patron satisfaction survey. Examples of testimony an adult can use when asking the judge to change their name. Step 5: File your Petition in the county where you live. If you are a registered sex offender, you must attach a completed sex offender registration update to the petition. Their "kits" include answers to frequently asked questions, instructions on how to proceed, and the legal forms that you must submit to the court. A paternity case asks a judge to order that the biological father is the childs legal father. In some states the fee is under $100, but other states may charge up to $500. When she's not writing, shes probably either doing mom stuff, wrangling her three dogs, lifting weights, or finding excuses not to clean her house. This is important . What if I am the only parent listed on our childs birth certificate? A letter that includes: Your vehicle information. Learn about the court procedures, factors considered, and potential emotional impacts on the child. How to Get a Name Change in Texas - The Knot Then youll need to work through your list of places you want to change your name after that. You can contact the Texas Vital Statistics Unit to discuss your situation. Consider nicknames, initials and ease of spelling and pronunciation. You must also pay to be fingerprinted and, in some counties, pay for a criminal background check. By using this website, you agree not to sell or make a profit in any way from any information or forms that you obtained through this website. Get at least two certified copies of the order from the clerk because you'll have to show them to different agencies. When the judge calls your case, stand in front of the judges bench. Yes. Keep in mind that you may also have to pay a fee to a newspaper for publication in addition to the court filings. Free form descriptions, previews and law summaries are . If youre choosing a completely new surname (if, for example, your last names are McDonald and Martinez you might decide you will both use the name McMartin), you have to go through your states name change process. The order granting a change of name does not alter custody, visitation, or parental rights and duties, nor is it a substitute for legal adoption. The legal system is complex and it is not possible for TexasLawHelp.org to answer every question. If you are unable to afford court costs, you can probably have the filing fee waived by filing a Statement of Inability to Afford Court Costs. How are we doing? Each state has its own requirements, so be sure to find out exactly which documents you need to provide for your states procedure. How to legally change the name of a child under 18. These guides and articles walk you through changing an adult or a child's name. Choose Your New Name. If you are wondering how to legally change your name after a divorce, you must make sure that your certificate of dissolution or judgment of divorce specifically gives you the right to change your name back to your premarital name or that your state law allows this. To change your name, you will need to provide: Your current name and place of residence. You must get a court order to change your child's name legally. Changing a childs name is a different process and requires different forms. A. State law does not contain step-by-step instructions when changing your last name after marriage. You can take that and show it. If the judge feels that any interested party has been notified and there are not any objections, you will likely be awarded the name change. This is step one. The statements and opinions are the expression of the author, not LegalZoom, and have not been evaluated by LegalZoom for accuracy, completeness, or changes in the law. The full name you are requesting. The law requires a person filing a name change case to include their home address on their court documents. Download the name change form you need or order our completion services. They are not for sale. Be sure to give this some serious thought before making a final decision. Texas has more requirements than some states, but if you meet all of them and follow the procedure correctly, you should have a new name soon. Texas Name Change - How To Change Your Last Name Texas Divorce Lawyers. Frequently asked questions about changing a child's name. Before starting the name change process, you should sit down with your partner and decide what your new name should be, as you'll need to fill out your marriage certificate with your new name. In general if there are two legal parents, they must both agree to the name change in this situation, and youll have to have a reasonable reason for making a change. . The word 'incorporated' indicates that a business entity is a corporation. My name is misspelled on my birth certificate. TexasLawHelp.orgis managed by Texas Legal Services Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. How do I change or correct my name on my Social Security number card? Step Two Print your package yourself or receive it by mail. If you need a court order, you can use the forms in this toolkit. This is a crucial step; just because your hearing is over, your name isn't officially changed until you file the order. The other parent must get legal notice of your child's name change case even if the other parent is not listed on your childs birth certificate. Please take our patron satisfaction survey. For parents and guardians. Subchapter B of chapter 45 governs name changes for adults. Try to work it out: In the end, even paying a renter or nonpaying guest to go away might be faster and cheaper than trying to evict him. Ronna L. DeLoeis a freelance writer and a published author who has written hundreds of legal articles. For more information, contact the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). A notary public may charge a small fee. You certainly can, and it would almost certainly make the process significantly easier and faster. The name change is not automatic; you must request it (or agree to it) as part of your divorce petition, waiver, or answer. Digital strategy, design, and development byFour Kitchens. Once the judge has signed the Order changing your name, the clerk in the courtroom may file the Order or you may need to take the Order to the clerks office to be filed. If you want to change your name because you got married, all you need to do is show your marriage certificate to request the change. You can only change your name back to the name you legally used before your marriage. It includes both the original petition and the order granting the name change. The name-change process varies depending on whether you are an adult, or whether you want to change your child's name. By using this website, you agree not to sell or make a profit in any way from any information or forms that you obtained through this website. If you get married in Texas, you can change your name on yourmarriage certificate or licensewithout having to go to court. If you want to change your name after you are married, the marriage certificate is the documentation you provide to places like the DMV or your bank. This includes the petition, fingerprint card, the order, and Statement of Inability to Afford Court Costs, if applicable. If a court order has terminated the other parents parental rights and no one else has been named as the managing conservator or legal guardian of the child, use these instructions and forms to change your childs name: Instructions & Forms for Child Name Change One parent filing Other parent dead or rights terminated. The information and forms available on this website are free. A change of name allows new couples to alter their legal documents and personal records, including Social Security cards and driver's licenses. What If My Name Change Request Is Denied? Do I need a court order to change my name? My Ex Interferes With My Visitation time: Can I Get Sole Custody. Expect the judge to ask you questions about why you want to change your name, so it's a good idea to have answers ready. Get Your Marriage License Before you can change your name, you'll need a certified copy of your marriage license (a.k.a. Not for sale. The court filing fee may be between $150 - $300 depending on where you live. To change your name for any other reason you must use your states name change procedure in court. In some states you have to appear at a brief court hearing before a judge to have your name change approved. you requested a name that is obscene, misleading, confusing, etc. If you want to file a paternity case, use this toolkit: I need a paternity order. You must also hire a lawyer to serve as the unknown fathers attorney ad litem. This process is complicated and can be expensive. Visit your local law enforcement agency or a "Print and Go" location to have your fingerprints taken. And, ask the clerks office or coordinator if the court requires you to get a criminal background check before your hearing. Changing your name in Texas requires going to court, except in a few situations. Legal Name Change Documents - How To Change Your Name This process is complicated and can be expensive. All offenses charged above a Class C misdemeanor must be listed in the petition, along with the case number and court of each offense. Some judges will require that you testify under oath that you are not changing your name to avoid criminal prosecution or get out of paying a debt. How to Change Your Name After the Wedding How to Change Your Name After Marriage in Texas How to file for a name change in Texas if you are 18 years or older and want to legally change your name. Read Virtual Court. Most divorces include an order permitting this change. To file a petition for a name change, you must be at least 18 years of age. This means it is a crime to lie on this form. To help support our reporting work, and to continue our ability to provide this content for free to our readers, we receive compensation from the companies that advertise on the Forbes Advisor site. This is the document you then use to legally change your name moving forward. These steps take time, but they're important. 312-530-8002. If you need to change your nameand it cannot be done through the marriage process, see the resources below to learn more about how to petition for aname change in court. Don't sign the petition until you see a notary, who must witness your signature. You need this order to change your name on identity documents, like your driver's license, passport, or social security card. If you're changing your name due to marriage, the first thing you need to do is contact Social Security. How to legally change the name of a child under 18. Its possible that your name change request will be denied (although if you follow our advice above, it probably wont happen). Yes. But it can take a few weeks to change your name everywhere you want it changed. If you must have a court appearance for the name change process, you will need to wait for a slot to be available on the courts calendar. If you served time in a Texas prison, get a copy of your discharge papers from the Classification and Records Division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Warning: The information and forms in this guide are not legal advice and are not a substitute for the help of a lawyer.It's a good idea to talk with a lawyer about your particular situation. When you request to change your name, you are required to publicize your petition and wait at least 30 days before a hearing. There is a directory of local law libraries available for public use atLaw Libraries in Texas. Learn about changing your name in Texas when you have a criminal history. How Much Does It Cost to Change Your Name? All Rights Reserved. In order to legally change a person's name an order must be signed by a District Judge. Local rules. It also tells the judge if you have a criminal record. You will probably need a court order to change your name from the name currently on your birth certificate to the name you have always used. You must get a court order to change your child's name legally. Still, you need to know your states rules so you can follow them to the letter. Note: The fear of fraud is real, so dont be surprised if you get pushback from banks, insurance providers, etc. Other counties have a time you can walk-in to see the judge. Final order the judge must sign to legally change an adult's name. It is actually a very simple process in getting your last name changed. These will depend on a) your state of residence and b) the reason for your name change. All rights reserved. The other parent will get a copy of the Petition. Free Texas Name Change Forms | Petition - PDF - eForms How to do a name change in Texas | Legalzoom
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