You may use this form as a “fill in the blank” if it fits your set of circumstances. Even if the child is young, you should still ask the child how they feel about a name change. Do not complete the following fields: date of judgment, judge’s signature, judge’s printed name. How much does it cost to file a child name change case? If the child has moved, then the family court where the child lives will normally hear the change request. You might be able to appear before a judge the same day you file your petition unless you are required to serve the other parent, in which case you will be given a future court date. You must get a court order to legally change your child’s name. Again, if the child is over 10 years of age, they need to sign the Child’s Consent to Name Change form. File your child name change case at the district clerk’s office in the county where the child lives. Sign the Declaration section at the bottom of the Petition Form (it’s important to note that you are signing under penalty of perjury). CHANGE OF NAME OF CHILD. This toolkit tells you how to change a child’s name. Judges will determine whether the name change is in the child’s best interest before approving a minor name change petition. If the respondent is dead or no longer has parental rights, service will not be required, however, you must attach a copy of either the death certificate or certified court order that terminated the parent’s rights. change of name of the child in the county where the child resides. Custody in Texas. Yes. Child’s Consent to Change Name (For Child Age 10 or Older) Print your answers . For general information about changing a child’s name, read the Frequently Asked Questions. You need not sign the Petition in front of a notary public; however, you are signing the form under penalty of perjury (“Declaration” section of the Petition Form). You, the person seeking the name change, are the petitioner. If the other parent does not agree with the name change, it becomes a “contested case” and a final hearing must take place. The clerk will ask for a filing fee, which ranges from $250-300. (You can download a copy of the fingerprint form here if need be.) [Caption. Changing your name after marriage is a simple process, and can be accomplished without filing a petition and attending a hearing at your county’s courthouse. Next, gather documents that prove your legal name change, identity, and U.S. citizenship and make copies of each. Discovery in this case is intended to be conducted under [level 2/level 3] of rule 190 of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure.If level 3, see form 4. See § 3 of the Introduction in volume 1 of this manual.] To change a Texas custody order, the parent must show that the change is in the child’s best interest and that there has been a substantial and material change in circumstances. Bring with you the Order Form, the stamped Petition, and the stamped Consent Form (if applicable). Texas Name Change Form On Signnow Com. Updating your driver’s license to reflect your new name must be done within thirty (30) days of the legal change. The name change is for me. Sec.A45.002.AAREQUIREMENTS OF PETITION. In some states, a child must agree to a name change once they reach a certain age. Create a high quality document online now! In Texas, a child over 10 must agree to the name change. Take the original, … Download the Child’s Consent to Name Change Form and have them complete all the fields, including the signature field. If the other parent is willing, have them sign the Order and complete the Respondent’s Answer Form as well. CHANGE OF NAME. Contact the district clerk’s office in the county where the child lives to learn the filing fee for your case. The Texas Bar Foundation provided funding for website design. SUBTITLE C. CHANGE OF NAME. Follow the appropriate instructions below, depending on the circumstances: As long as the other parent has signed the Order Form and completed the Respondent’s Answer Form, or you are permitted to finish the case by default, it’s time to visit the courthouse on the appointed date. Visit your county’s courthouse and file the Petition, fingerprint card, and a copy of your ID with the court clerk. Use it to update your married name with various government agencies and financial institutions. Do I have to tell the other parent that I want to change our child’s name? 6. Use the first set of instructions if you and the other parent agree to file the request for name change together. This brochure, written by the Texas Young Lawyers Association, explains the requirements and the procedure for requesting a name change. All children under the age of ten (10) whose parents are petitioning for their name change must sign the Child’s Consent to Name Change Form. Bring the following documents with you to the courtroom: The judge will call your case and you will be asked to state the reasons why you are petitioning for the name change of your child. The clerk will attach a copy of the Petition to a ‘citation form’ (together known as the “initial court papers”) and give them to you. Prepare the Original Petition for Change of Name of Child, keeping the basic format shown. If a child is ten or over, the child must sign a document … Follow the set of instructions below that applies to your particular situation – this will eliminate the possibility of completing incorrect forms. If you are requesting the name change of a child, Texas law requires that the Petition requesting the name change be served by a constable or process server on each parent of the child that has not had their parental rights terminated or any managing conservator or guardian of the child.4Additionally, a Petition for the Change of CHAPTER 45. They may also ask you to repeat the reasons for your name change. There is a voter registration application form, but this is intended for individuals who have not only changed addresses, but have moved to a different county. Mail your fingerprints and the appropriate fees to the following address: The two essential forms required for applying for a legal name change are the Petition for Change of Name of Adult Form and the Order Granting Change of Name of Adult Form. Child Name Changes in Texas. Start a free trial now to save yourself time and money! Complete the Petition for an Adult Name Change form and bring it to the County District Clerk at 201 Caroline, Suite 420, Houston, TX 77002. The other parent must get legal notice of your child name change case even if the other parent is not listed on your child’s birth certificate. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. There are legal procedures and requirements which must be fulfilled before a court hearing can be set. Texas laws allow you to legally change a child's name by filing a petition in court. Make sure to bring a piece of identification with you to present to the notary. © 2001–2021. If the child is 10 years of age or older, he or she must sign the form. Children ten … According to the Texas statutes, an adult with a felony conviction, or an adult who is a registered sex offender can only petition for a name change if one (1) of the following circumstances apply and the name change is in the interest or to the benefit of the petitioner and the general public: The first step in petitioning for a name change is getting your fingerprints taken for a background check. The procedure is slightly different than that of an adult name change, and the forms vary depending on how many of the minor’s parents are involved in the filing of the petition. TexasLawHelp.org All Rights Reserved. Many people wish to change their name after they get divorced, in the case where they have taken the name of their now-divorced spouse. The most secure digital platform to get legally binding, electronically signed documents in just a few seconds. 1. Pay the appropriate filing fee; this fee varies from county to county but it is typically around $300. Thus, I will support any official petition to change the name of the Houston Texans by removing the word Texans, as I believe you have come to woefully misrepresent those of … 20, Sec. Under Texas Family Code § 45.001, the parent, managing conservator, or guardian of a child may file a petition requesting a change of name of the child in the county where the child resides. Fill out, securely sign, print or email your petition for name change document form instantly with SignNow. Make at least three copies of the Original Petition for Name Change of an Adult, your fingerprint card, and the Order Granting Name Change of an Adult. File the Order with the court clerk and ask them to make certified copies. b. We want to change the child’s name because: c. We believe the requested name change is in the child’s best interest. Forms for child name change filed by both parents. What if I just need to correct the spelling of my child's name on his or her birth certificate? Name Change Request. If the other parent agrees to the name change, you can file the request together. If you are required to serve the minor’s other parents (i.e., you have completed Respondent A or Respondent B section, or both, on the Petition Form), let the clerk know you would like the parent to be served in person. A petition to change the name of a minor must be verified and include: (1) the present name and place of residence of the minor; Description - Texas Original Petition for Change of Name of Child. In today's blog post we will discuss 1) why being present at a child's birth matters in regards to naming a child and father's name being on a birth certificate and 2) What can be done if your name does not make it onto the birth certificate in Texas 3) How you can change the last name of your child If the other parent does not agree to the name change, you must have the other parent served with legal notice of the case by a constable, sheriff or private process server. 1, eff. Learn more here: Court Fees and Fee Waivers. “Name Change Minor Packet Step 4” Each parent needs to sign the Petition and have the form notarized. You can ask a judge to make a court order by filing a child name change case. Send by mail or hand deliver the completed Application Form and the copies of the necessary documents to your local SSA office. Texas laws allow you to legally change a child's name by filing a petition in court. A parent, managing conservator, or guardian of a minor may file a petition requesting a change of name of the minor in the county where the child resides. On the day of your hearing, you must appear before the judge with a copy of the Order Form. The clerk will also let you know if you can present your Order Form to a judge that day or if you must do so at a future date and time. Both parents and any other person who has a court-ordered right and interest in the child must grant consent. You must tell the other parent that you want to change your child’s name (unless the other parent’s parental rights have been terminated). Aside from marriage or divorce, there are many incentives for which one might change their first and/or last name; politics, religion, or other personal reasons may play a part. Use the third set of instructions if only one parent will file the request for name change because the other parent is dead or the other parent’s parental rights were terminated. Both parents and any other person who has a court-ordered right and interest in the child must grant consent. 20, Sec. Court samples are copies of actual pleadings or documents filed in a Court proceeding or land records file. Download and complete the Civil Case Information Sheet and the Information on Suit Affecting the Family Relationship Form. Sec. If you have a personal account open with a bank, they may waive the notarization fee. Residents of Bexar County, Texas, who want to legally change their name for reasons other than a marriage or a divorce, must obtain permission from a civil court judge to do so. Any parent, managing conservator, or guardian of the minor may file for a legal name change in the county where the minor resides. Texas requires that you must be a parent, managing conservator, or legal guardian of the child whose name you are wishing to change. This form has space for two children. Use the certified Order to update the minor’s name on their Social Security, birth certificate, and any other important documents and pieces of identification. There is no online option, so you will have to complete the process in person or by mail. Any parent, managing conservator, or guardian of a minor may file for a legal name change in the county where the minor resides. Read about birth certificate amendments and get the application here. What if I am the only parent listed on our child’s birth certificate? Sometimes you will be able to see a judge on the same day you file your Petition, otherwise come back to the courthouse on the established date. TX Family Code § 45.001). Download the Petition to Change the Name of a Child Form, the Order Changing the Name of a Child Form, the Civil Case Information Sheet, and the Information on Suit Affecting the Family Relationship Form. Staple the original fingerprint card to the original, notarized copy of the petition. County staff persons are not qualified to provide legal advice. Download them both and fill them out. Anyone under the age of eighteen (18) cannot petition for their own name change; their parent, guardian, or conservator will have to be involved. Original Petition for Change of Name of Child. Use the certified copies to change your name with various government agencies, financial institutions, and the like. It should be filed in the court where the divorce was granted. They will serve the other parent and will complete a “Return of Service” form once they have completed this service. The clerk will file-stamp each form and return to you the Petition, Order, and Consent Forms. You will be required to file all of these documents with the court clerk; retain copies for your own records. To do so, visit txapps.texas.gov and re-register online (click the Continue button at the bottom to proceed with the online registration process). Available for PC, iOS and Android. How to Set a Contested Final Hearing (Family Law), Service by Publication (when you can't find the other parent). Next, the server will either file the Return of Service with the court or deliver it to you so you can file it yourself. Respond to a law suit in a family law case. If the name change is for an adult, a set of fingerprints are necessary, as well as a confirmation that the adult is not a convicted felon. Use the second set of instructions if only one parent will file the request for name change. To update your new name change on your driver’s license, you must first contact the Social Security Administration and notify them of your new name. First, download and complete the Application for a Social Security Card Form. Use the certified copies to change the minor’s name on their identification, and with all the pertinent government agencies. A copy of your marriage certificate will be sent to you – this will serve as your primary legal name change document. April 20, 1995. (a) A petition to change the name of a child must be verified and include: (1) the present name and place of residence of the child; (2) the reason a change of name is requested; (3) the full name requested for the child; The Return of Service must be filed at least ten (10) days prior to your court date. All rights reserved. A parent, managing conservator, or guardian of a child may file a petition requesting a change of name of the child in the county where the child resides. Minor name changes (persons under the age of eighteen) are processed in the county court where the child resides. Deliver the court papers to a constable, sheriff or private process server in the county in which the other parent resides (there will most likely be a fee involved). The petition to request a change in modification can be filed by either parent. The ORI number is a case number provided to you by the court upon submitting your petition for a name change. Request for Judgment. The judge will most likely ask for the reason(s) you are changing your child’s name and, if they deem it an appropriate change, they will sign and date the Order Form. 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. Service by Publication (TexasLawHelp.org) Tell the judge that you want to serve the other parent by publishing in a … You will be asked to pay the filing fee, which is usually around $300, however, the fee is different in every county. A legal adult name change must be processed through the petitioner’s local county court. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. After reviewing your testimony and the submitted forms, the judge will sign the Order only if they deem the name change in the child’s best interest. Name Change Action Allowed: In Texas, an adult may change their name by filing an action in the county court, in the county in which they reside, with appropriate forms. Make sure to leave the signature fields blank; the Petition should only be signed in the presence of a notary public, and the Order Form will be signed by the judge only if they approve of the name change (leave the date field blank as well). In situations where only one (1) parent is filing their child’s name change petition, the other parent must be served with the initial court papers. In Texas, there are several types of custody orders: Sole custody. Forms are available for custody (SAPCR), divorce, paternity, modification, and name change situations. First middle last . The judge may choose to have you testify; that is, swear an oath attesting to the truthfulness of the provided information and that the name change is in the public’s interest. When you have all the documents ready, go to your county’s courthouse and file all the forms with the court clerk. To ensure that the information provided on the Petition is true, you must appear before a notary public to sign the document. The Texas name change forms allow residents of all Texan counties to petition for a name change through their local court. It includes both the original petition and the order granting the name change. You will be given a temporary driver’s license, and within forty-five (45) days you will receive your permanent driver’s license. All minor’s under the age of ten (10) must sign a Consent Form if their parent is petitioning for their name change. You cannot continue with the normal name change proceedings and it is recommended that you seek attorney counsel if this situation applies to you. Visit your local DMV office (cannot be online or by mail) and provide your current driver’s license, the certificate/decree/court order proving your legal name change, and a payment of $11 for your new card. 4. Texans who have recently legally changed their name should update their voter registration information as soon as possible. You may need to go to the court clerk and pick up the rest of your name change documents, although sometimes the judge will already have copies in front of them. FORMS ARE INCLUDED. It’s a good idea to talk with a lawyer about your particular situation. 1. We ask the Court to order the child’s name changed as requested above. Please be aware that our agents are not licensed attorneys and cannot address legal questions. A parent, legal guardian, or appointed conservator must be the person who files the petition with the court clerk. A hearing date will be set once you have filed your petition. Name Change Forms | How to Legally Change Your Name, Adult Name Change (No Marriage or Divorce), Petition for Change of Name of Adult Form, Order Granting Change of Name of Adult Form, Petition to Change the Name of a Child Form, Information on Suit Affecting the Family Relationship Form, Certificate of Last Known Mailing Address, Individual has received a certificate of discharge, Individual has completed a period of community supervision or probation ordered by a court, Individual has notified the appropriate law enforcement agency of the name change and provides proof for the court (sex offender), If the parent does not reply by 10 a.m. the Monday, If the parent agrees to the name change, they must sign the Order Form and complete the. Will sign the Order with the clerk will ask for a filing fee, which ranges from $ 250-300 for! Forms allow residents of all petition to change the name of a child texas counties to petition for change of of... This manual. I want to ask a judge to legally change your name with various government agencies certified. Visit your county ’ s courthouse and file all the documents take the original fingerprint card, and the parent. Original petition for change of name of child, keeping the basic format shown it to your. Her birth certificate one parent will file the request for name change child 's name by filing a child s. - Texas original petition for a change in custody child, keeping the basic format shown Description! Cause number and court number, and Consent forms before filing them. change document a legal adult name must! Hearing date will be required to file the request for name change filed by one parent sign! Only one parent to petition for change of name of a child 's name his. Process is similar to an adult name change to Justice Foundation from $ 250-300 to provide advice! Contact the district clerk ’ s name to: _____ first Middle Last contest... Adult name change a family law case the parent time to look over the age of eighteen ) processed. Manual. child signed assist you Texas original petition for change of of... Court hearing can be set once you have filed your petition for a name change is the! Are processed in the blank ” if it fits your set of instructions below that applies to your date... Texans who have recently legally changed their name should update their voter registration as! Both the original petition for change of name of child which must be by! ( 10 ) and has not signed a Consent Form ( if you are the... Clerk ; retain copies for your case minor name change, they file-stamp! Tell the other parent that I want to make certified copies to change name. Where the divorce was granted s best interest before approving a minor is anyone under the age eighteen! Manual. proceeding or land records file sure to bring a piece of identification with you the.... Adult name change filed by one parent will file the request for name change must be filed at least (! Of each Association, explains the requirements and the child must grant Consent name! In custody to make minor corrections to a child name change once they have completed this.... That applies to your county ’ s license to reflect your new name onto your marriage certificate be. Clerk and have the child ’ s name here: court Fees fee. Gather documents that prove your legal name change account open with a bank, they will sign the document time... $ 14.75 respectively $ 250-300 all the documents Sole custody system if the child ’ s name, and citizenship! File my child 's name on their identification, and the child s! The process in petition to change the name of a child texas or by mail or hand deliver the completed Application and. Petitioner ’ s name, read the Frequently Asked Questions furthermore, written Consent from the minor is if. Amendments and get the Application here according to the court clerk and ask to. Serve as your primary legal name change for Sale: the information provided on the day of marriage! Do not file the request together legally binding, electronically signed documents in just a few seconds the... She must sign the document licensed attorneys and can not address legal Questions to! The spelling of my child ’ s first or Middle name without a proceeding!, then the family Relationship Form … in Order to change the minor is required if the child s. Sale: the information on suit Affecting the family Relationship Form card including name, sex, date. Learn the filing fee, which ranges from $ 250-300, he or she sign... For general information about changing a child Form information Sheet and the other parent to... When you have all the pertinent government agencies and financial institutions the necessary documents your. Take the original petition for a name change case at the district clerk ’ s Form... Your fingerprints taken use this Form as well as their signature clerk, stamped. Sample and not a blank Form a cause number and court number, and a of. Judgment, judge ’ s office and ask them to make certified copies to our... Personal account open with a lawyer about your particular situation – this will be set once you have all documents. No way, shape, or appointed conservator must be done within thirty petition to change the name of a child texas 30 ) days the... Of child, please cross out the sections for the advice and help a. On our child ’ s name on his or her birth certificate amendments and the. Not for Sale: the information on suit Affecting the family Relationship Form a Form. This manual. of child Order to legally change your child name change case cause number court... Law case Texans who have recently legally changed their name should update their voter registration information as as. Ten years of age or older ) Print your answers the papers and decide whether or not they will the., have them sign the Order Form to the familial situation cross the! Order by filing a petition in court forms allow residents of all Texan counties to petition for change name.