Alabama Request to Change Name for Adult

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An Alabama request to change name form is completed and filed by a person who wishes to change their name legally. The person, or “petitioner,” must submit the form with all other necessary paperwork to the probate court in the county where they reside. The form must be signed in the presence of a notary public to be considered legally valid.

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Alabama Request to Change Name for Adult

Last updated November 13th, 2025

An Alabama request to change name form is completed and filed by a person who wishes to change their name legally. The person, or “petitioner,” must submit the form with all other necessary paperwork to the probate court in the county where they reside. The form must be signed in the presence of a notary public to be considered legally valid.

Eligibility Requirements

  • 19 or older
  • Resident of county where filing
  • Completed ABI and FBI background check
  • Not a convicted felon or registered sex offender
  • If under 19, consent from both parents

How to Legally Change a Name in Alabama

Step 1 – Fingerprints

To request a name change, a criminal background check at both the state and federal levels must be completed. Fingerprint identification is needed for these checks, which can be done by visiting a fingerprinting location and completing an Applicant Fingerprint Form (FD-258). The petitioner should request two copies.

Step 2 – State Background Check

To obtain a background check with the Alabama Bureau of Investigation (ABI), the petitioner must complete the Application to Review Criminal History (Form 46) and send it to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) with photo ID, a copy of the fingerprint card, and the filing fee.

Step 3 – Federal Background Check

The second background check is with the FBI, and can be done online or by mail. If sending by mail, the Identity History Summary Request Form must be completed and sent with a copy of the completed fingerprint card and the appropriate fee.

Step 4 – Name Change Request Form

To petition for a name change, the Request to Change Name (Form PS-12) must be completed and notarized. Alternatively, petitioners can obtain a county-specific name change request form from their local probate court.

Step 5 – Probate Court

The petitioner must file the following documents with the probate court in the county where they reside and pay the appropriate filing fee:

  • Completed Form PS-12
  • Copy of ABI and FBI background checks
  • Certified copy of birth certificate 
  • Copy of photo identification
  • Proof of residency (if photo ID address is from a different county)
  • Social Security Card

Step 6 – Name Change Order

After the name change request has been submitted, a hearing may be scheduled so a judge can review the submitted documents and ask the petitioner questions. If the name change request is accepted, the judge will sign a decree authorizing the name change. In some cases, the name change order may be provided the same day without a hearing.

Marriage and Divorce

A person can change their name when getting married simply by entering their old and new names on their marriage certificate before filing. The certificate can then be used to change their name with Social Security and other agencies.

A person can assume their former name after getting divorced if they ask the judge to restore it as part of the Final Divorce Decree. If the change was not requested before the final decree, the person must undergo the regular probate court name change process.