- 1). Fill out a legal petition for a name change for the state of Montana. Obtain a copy of the petition online (http://www.ilrg.com/forms/namechange-adult/us/mt) or get one at your local courthouse. The petition will ask for your current name and residence, the name you wish to change to and the reason(s) for the requested name change.
- 2). Pay the assessed fee and file the petition in person with the superior court in your current jurisdiction. After you file your petition, you will receive written notice for a hearing at which a judge will officially approve your name change.
- 3). Publish notice of your requested name change and pending hearing prior to the hearing date. Notice must be published in the "general public" section of your local paper once a week for four weeks leading up to the hearing. Check your newspaper for instructions for submitting the notice.
- 4). Obtain an affidavit from the newspaper verifying that you gave public notice of your requested name change. Submit the affidavit and the published notice to the clerk of the court on the day of the hearing.
- 5). Attend the hearing on your assigned court date. If you have completed all the required steps, the presiding judge will officially approve your name change. You will receive a certified judgment regarding your name change. Keep it in a safe place.
- 6). Inform your creditors and anyone else you do business with of your name change. Be prepared to show them your certified copy of the court judgment.
Source...