Name Change FAQs

What is legally required for me to change my name?

Residency, jurisdiction and legal grounds are the determining factors when filing to change your name. The residency requirement entails your living in the area in which you intend to file your name change petition for at least six months prior to filing your petition. Jurisdiction means that your petition must be filed within the court district nearest your residence. Having legal grounds means you have good reason to be petitioning for your name change-i.e., that you have undergone gender change, that you have had a religious conversion, that you wish to maintain your identity in business, that your name needs to be shortened, etc. Please see Section D above, Reasons for Changing Your Name.