California Petition for Change of Name

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The California petition for change of name is used by an individual who wishes to change their legal name or the name of a minor. This is the principal document that must be filed with the superior court to start the name change process. It contains the petitioner’s current legal name, their proposed name, and the reasons for the name change.

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California Petition for Change of Name

Last updated November 12th, 2025

The California petition for change of name is used by an individual who wishes to change their legal name or the name of a minor. This is the principal document that must be filed with the superior court to start the name change process. It contains the petitioner’s current legal name, their proposed name, and the reasons for the name change.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must be 18 years of age
  • If under 18, petition must be filed by parent or guardian
  • Filed in the superior court where the petitioner resides

How to Legally Change a Name in California

Step 1 – Required Forms

To request a legal name change, the petitioner must complete the following forms: 

Step 2 – Filing

The forms above must be filed with the superior court in the county where the petitioner resides. The clerk will charge a filing fee and set a hearing date using the Order to Show Cause.

Step 3 – Publication

Unless exempt (e.g., changing name to conform to gender identity or participating in a confidentiality program), the petitioner must publish a copy of their Order to Show Cause in a generally-circulated local newspaper every week for four consecutive weeks.[2]

Step 4 – Hearing (if applicable)

The court may waive the hearing if no objections are filed and the judge finds no other reason to deny the petition. If there are objections or the court deems a hearing necessary, the petitioner must attend the hearing and bring copies of all previously filed documents.

Step 5 – Decree

If the judge deems the name change request valid, they will complete the remainder of the Decree Changing Name form and sign it. The petitioner should obtain certified copies from the court clerk so they can update their Social Security records, birth certificate, and other ID.

Marriage and Divorce

A person can change their name when getting married by adding their former name on the marriage license application. Once the license is issued, the couple has 90 days to get married and obtain a marriage certificate with the spouse’s new name.[3] The certificate can then be used to update their ID and other records.

A spouse can revert to their former legal name as part of the divorce process by completing section 12 of the Declaration for Dissolution (Form FL-170) and section 4(f) of the Judgment (Form FL-180).[4] Once the judge signs the Judgment form to finalize the divorce, the spouse can obtain a certified copy to update their ID.

Sources

  1. CCP § 1276(g)
  2. CCP §§ 1277(b), 1277.5(b)
  3. California Courts – Marriage
  4. California Courts – Divorce