- 1). File a petition. Visit your local county courthouse. Go to the clerk of court's office and request a name change petition. Forms may also be available from the county court clerk website. The petition gets the formal process started. Depending on the state, you may also need to fill out additional forms such as Decree Changing Name, or Order to Show Cause. Make duplicate copies of each form and submit them to the clerk of court. A fee may be charged to process the request. A court hearing date will be set to review your request.
- 2). Provide proof of why the minor's name should be charged. For example, if the name change is for reasons of divorce, adoption or marriage then provide documentation. Bring copies of divorce, marriage or adoptions papers. Compile all of this information before the court hearing.
- 3). File other documentation. If the child's other parent consents to the minor's change, an affidavit of consent needs to be notarized and filed. These forms are available from your local court clerk. The county clerk will inform you if additional documents are necessary.
- 4). Attend a hearing. Usually, judges grant name change requests outright to people who provide the necessary documentation and proof to warrant a minor's name change. If complications arise, the judge will schedule another hearing. For example, if one parent contests the name change, this will result in another court date to hear both sides of the case. Compelling reasons need to exist for a judge to grant a name change over a parent's formal objection.
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