Steps to Changing Your Name in Each State (Alphabetically)

Alabama

1. File a Petition: File a name change petition with the Probate Court in the county where you reside.

2. Publication: Publish a notice of your name change in a local newspaper.

3. Hearing: Attend a hearing where the judge reviews your petition.

4. Final Order: Obtain a certified copy of the name change order.

• Website: Alabama Judicial System

Alaska

1. File a Petition: File a name change petition with the Superior Court.

2. Publication: Publish a notice in a local newspaper.

3. Hearing: Attend a hearing where the judge reviews your petition.

4. Final Order: Obtain a certified copy of the name change order.

• Website: Alaska Court System

Arizona

1. File a Petition: File a name change petition with the Superior Court in your county.

2. Publication: Publish a notice in a local newspaper.

3. Hearing: Attend a hearing where the judge reviews your petition.

4. Final Order: Obtain a certified copy of the name change order.

• Website: Arizona Judicial Branch

Arkansas

1. File a Petition: File a name change petition with the Circuit Court.

2. Publication: Publish a notice in a local newspaper.

3. Hearing: Attend a hearing where the judge reviews your petition.

4. Final Order: Obtain a certified copy of the name change order.

• Website: Arkansas Judiciary

California

1. File a Petition: File a name change petition with the Superior Court.

2. Publication: Publish a notice in a local newspaper.

3. Hearing: Attend a hearing where the judge reviews your petition.

4. Final Order: Obtain a certified copy of the name change order.

• Website: California Courts

Colorado

1. File a Petition: File a name change petition with the District Court.

2. Publication: Publish a notice in a local newspaper.

3. Hearing: Attend a hearing where the judge reviews your petition.

4. Final Order: Obtain a certified copy of the name change order.

• Website: Colorado Judicial Branch

Connecticut

1. File a Petition: File a name change petition with the Probate Court.

2. Publication: Publish a notice in a local newspaper.

3. Hearing: Attend a hearing where the judge reviews your petition.

4. Final Order: Obtain a certified copy of the name change order.

• Website: Connecticut Judicial Branch

Delaware

1. File a Petition: File a name change petition with the Court of Chancery.

2. Publication: Publish a notice in a local newspaper.

3. Hearing: Attend a hearing where the judge reviews your petition.

4. Final Order: Obtain a certified copy of the name change order.

• Website: Delaware Courts

Florida

1. File a Petition: File a name change petition with the Circuit Court.

2. Publication: Publish a notice in a local newspaper.

3. Hearing: Attend a hearing where the judge reviews your petition.

4. Final Order: Obtain a certified copy of the name change order.

• Website: Florida Courts

Georgia

1. File a Petition: File a name change petition with the Superior Court in your county.

2. Publication: Publish a notice in a local newspaper.

3. Hearing: Attend a hearing where the judge reviews your petition.

4. Final Order: Obtain a certified copy of the name change order.

• Website: Georgia Judicial Branch

Hawaii

1. File a Petition: File a name change petition with the Family Court.

2. Publication: Publish a notice in a local newspaper.

3. Hearing: Attend a hearing where the judge reviews your petition.

4. Final Order: Obtain a certified copy of the name change order.

• Website: Hawaii State Judiciary

Idaho

1. File a Petition: File a name change petition with the District Court.

2. Publication: Publish a notice in a local newspaper.

3. Hearing: Attend a hearing where the judge reviews your petition.

4. Final Order: Obtain a certified copy of the name change order.

• Website: Idaho Judicial Branch

Illinois

1. File a Petition: File a name change petition with the Circuit Court.

2. Publication: Publish a notice in a local newspaper.

3. Hearing: Attend a hearing where the judge reviews your petition.

4. Final Order: Obtain a certified copy of the name change order.

• Website: Illinois Courts

Indiana

1. File a Petition: File a name change petition with the Circuit Court.

2. Publication: Publish a notice in a local newspaper.

3. Hearing: Attend a hearing where the judge reviews your petition.

4. Final Order: Obtain a certified copy of the name change order.

• Website: Indiana Courts

Iowa

1. File a Petition: File a name change petition with the District Court.

2. Publication: Publish a notice in a local newspaper.

3. Hearing: Attend a hearing where the judge reviews your petition.

4. Final Order: Obtain a certified copy of the name change order.

• Website: Iowa Judicial Branch

Kansas

1. File a Petition: File a name change petition with the District Court.

2. Publication: Publish a notice in a local newspaper.

3. Hearing: Attend a hearing where the judge reviews your petition.

4. Final Order: Obtain a certified copy of the name change order.

• Website: Kansas Judicial Branch

Kentucky

1. File a Petition: File a name change petition with the Circuit Court.

2. Publication: Publish a notice in a local newspaper.

3. Hearing: Attend a hearing where the judge reviews your petition.

4. Final Order: Obtain a certified copy of the name change order.

• Website: Kentucky Courts

Louisiana

1. File a Petition: File a name change petition with the District Court.

2. Publication: Publish a notice in a local newspaper.

3. Hearing: Attend a hearing where the judge reviews your petition.

4. Final Order: Obtain a certified copy of the name change order.

• Website: Louisiana Supreme Court

Maine

1. File a Petition: File a name change petition with the District Court.

2. Publication: Publish a notice in a local newspaper.

3. Hearing: Attend a hearing where the judge reviews your petition.

4. Final Order: Obtain a certified copy of the name change order.

• Website: Maine Judicial Branch

Maryland

1. File a Petition: File a name change petition with the Circuit Court.

2. Publication: Publish a notice in a local newspaper.

3. Hearing: Attend a hearing where the judge reviews your petition.

4. Final Order: Obtain a certified copy of the name change order.

• Website: Maryland Judiciary

Massachusetts

1. File a Petition: File a name change petition with the Probate and Family Court.

2. Publication: Publish a notice in a local newspaper.

3. Hearing: Attend a hearing where the judge reviews your petition.

4. Final Order: Obtain a certified copy of the name change order.

• Website: Massachusetts Court System

Michigan

1. File a Petition: File a name change petition with the Circuit Court.

2. Publication: Publish a notice in a local newspaper.

3. Hearing: Attend a hearing where the judge reviews your petition.

4. Final Order: Obtain a certified copy of the name change order.

• Website: Michigan Courts

Minnesota

1. File a Petition: File a name change petition with the District Court.

2. Publication: Publish a notice in a local newspaper.

3. Hearing: Attend a hearing where the judge reviews your petition.

4. Final Order: Obtain a certified copy of the name change order.

• Website: Minnesota Judicial Branch

Mississippi

1. File a Petition: File a name change petition with the Chancery Court.

2. Publication: Publish a notice in a local newspaper.

3. Hearing: Attend a hearing where the judge reviews your petition.

4. Final Order: Obtain a certified copy of the name change order.

• Website: Mississippi Judiciary

Missouri

1. File a Petition: File a name change petition with the Circuit Court.

2. Publication: Publish a notice in a local newspaper.

3. Hearing: Attend a hearing where the judge reviews your petition.

4. Final Order: Obtain a certified copy of the name change order.

• Website: Missouri Courts

Montana

1. File a Petition: File a name change petition with the District Court.

2. Publication: Publish a notice in a local newspaper.

3. Hearing: Attend a hearing where the judge reviews your petition.

4. Final Order: Obtain a certified copy of the name change order.

• Website: Montana Judicial Branch

Nebraska

1. File a Petition: File a name change petition with the District Court.

2. Publication: Publish a notice in a local newspaper.

3. Hearing: Attend a hearing where the judge reviews your petition.

4. Final Order: Obtain a certified copy of the name change order.

• Website: Nebraska Judicial Branch

Nevada

1. File a Petition: File a name change petition with the District Court.

2. Publication: Publish a notice in a local newspaper.

3. Hearing: Attend a hearing where the judge reviews your petition.

4. Final Order: Obtain a certified copy of the name change order.

• Website: Nevada Judiciary

New Hampshire

1. File a Petition: File a name change petition with the Probate Court.

2. Publication: Publish a notice in a local newspaper.

3. Hearing: Attend a hearing where the judge reviews your petition.

4. Final Order: Obtain a certified copy of the name change order.

• Website: New Hampshire Judicial Branch

New Jersey

1. File a Petition: File a name change petition with the Superior Court.

2. Publication: Publish a notice in a local newspaper.

3. Hearing: Attend a hearing where the judge reviews your petition.

4. Final Order: Obtain a certified copy of the name change order.

• Website: New Jersey Courts

New Mexico

1. File a Petition: File a name change petition with the District Court.

2. Publication: Publish a notice in a local newspaper.

3. Hearing: Attend a hearing where the judge reviews your petition.

4. Final Order: Obtain a certified copy of the name change order.

• Website: New Mexico Courts

New York

1. File a Petition: File a name change petition with the Supreme Court or County Court.

2. Publication: Publish a notice in a local newspaper.

3. Hearing: Attend a hearing where the judge reviews your petition.

4. Final Order: Obtain a certified copy of the name change order.

• Website: New York State Unified Court System

North Carolina

1. File a Petition: File a name change petition with the Superior Court.

2. Publication: Publish a notice in a local newspaper.

3. Hearing: Attend a hearing where the judge reviews your petition.

4. Final Order: Obtain a certified copy of the name change order.

• Website: North Carolina Judicial Branch

North Dakota

1. File a Petition: File a name change petition with the District Court.

2. Publication: Publish a notice in a local newspaper.

3. Hearing: Attend a hearing where the judge reviews your petition.

4. Final Order: Obtain a certified copy of the name change order.

• Website: North Dakota Courts

Ohio

1. File a Petition: File a name change petition with the Probate Court.

2. Publication: Publish a notice in a local newspaper.

3. Hearing: Attend a hearing where the judge reviews your petition.

4. Final Order: Obtain a certified copy of the name change order.

• Website: Ohio Supreme Court

Oklahoma

1. File a Petition: File a name change petition with the District Court.

2. Publication: Publish a notice in a local newspaper.

3. Hearing: Attend a hearing where the judge reviews your petition.

4. Final Order: Obtain a certified copy of the name change order.

• Website: Oklahoma State Courts Network

Oregon

1. File a Petition: File a name change petition with the Circuit Court.

2. Publication: Publish a notice in a local newspaper.

3. Hearing: Attend a hearing where the judge reviews your petition.

4. Final Order: Obtain a certified copy of the name change order.

• Website: Oregon Judicial Department

Pennsylvania

1. File a Petition: File a name change petition with the Court of Common Pleas.

2. Publication: Publish a notice in a local newspaper.

3. Hearing: Attend a hearing where the judge reviews your petition.

4. Final Order: Obtain a certified copy of the name change order.

• Website: Pennsylvania Courts

Rhode Island

1. File a Petition: File a name change petition with the Probate Court.

2. Publication: Publish a notice in a local newspaper.

3. Hearing: Attend a hearing where the judge reviews your petition.

4. Final Order: Obtain a certified copy of the name change order.

• Website: Rhode Island Judiciary

South Carolina

1. File a Petition: File a name change petition with the Family Court.

2. Publication: Publish a notice in a local newspaper.

3. Hearing: Attend a hearing where the judge reviews your petition.

4. Final Order: Obtain a certified copy of the name change order.

• Website: South Carolina Judicial Branch

South Dakota

1. File a Petition: File a name change petition with the Circuit Court.

2. Publication: Publish a notice in a local newspaper.

3. Hearing: Attend a hearing where the judge reviews your petition.

4. Final Order: Obtain a certified copy of the name change order.

• Website: South Dakota Unified Judicial System

Tennessee

1. File a Petition: File a name change petition with the Circuit Court.

2. Publication: Publish a notice in a local newspaper.

3. Hearing: Attend a hearing where the judge reviews your petition.

4. Final Order: Obtain a certified copy of the name change order.

• Website: Tennessee State Courts

Texas

1. File a Petition: File a name change petition with the District Court.

2. Publication: Publish a notice in a local newspaper.

3. Hearing: Attend a hearing where the judge reviews your petition.

4. Final Order: Obtain a certified copy of the name change order.

• Website: Texas Courts

Utah

1. File a Petition: File a name change petition with the District Court.

2. Publication: Publish a notice in a local newspaper.

3. Hearing: Attend a hearing where the judge reviews your petition.

4. Final Order: Obtain a certified copy of the name change order.

• Website: Utah Courts

Vermont

1. File a Petition: File a name change petition with the Superior Court.

2. Publication: Publish a notice in a local newspaper.

3. Hearing: Attend a hearing where the judge reviews your petition.

4. Final Order: Obtain a certified copy of the name change order.

• Website: Vermont Judiciary

Virginia

1. File a Petition: File a name change petition with the Circuit Court.

2. Publication: Publish a notice in a local newspaper.

3. Hearing: Attend a hearing where the judge reviews your petition.

4. Final Order: Obtain a certified copy of the name change order.

• Website: Virginia's Judicial System

Washington

1. File a Petition: File a name change petition with the Superior Court.

2. Publication: Publish a notice in a local newspaper.

3. Hearing: Attend a hearing where the judge reviews your petition.

4. Final Order: Obtain a certified copy of the name change order.

• Website: Washington Courts

West Virginia

1. File a Petition: File a name change petition with the Circuit Court.

2. Publication: Publish a notice in a local newspaper.

3. Hearing: Attend a hearing where the judge reviews your petition.

4. Final Order: Obtain a certified copy of the name change order.

• Website: West Virginia Judiciary

Wisconsin

1. File a Petition: File a name change petition with the Circuit Court.

2. Publication: Publish a notice in a local newspaper.

3. Hearing: Attend a hearing where the judge reviews your petition.

4. Final Order: Obtain a certified copy of the name change order.

• Website: Wisconsin Court System

Wyoming

1. File a Petition: File a name change petition with the District Court.

2. Publication: Publish a notice in a local newspaper.

3. Hearing: Attend a hearing where the judge reviews your petition.

4. Final Order: Obtain a certified copy of the name change order.

• Website: Wyoming Judicial Branch