New York Name Change Form

Create Document
  1. Home »
  2. Name Change Petition »
  3. New York
Document Preview

A New York name change form is for adults who want to petition the court to legally change their name. This document may also be used for individuals seeking a change in their sex designation. The document must be notarized and filed with the petitioner’s county or supreme court, where a judge will approve or deny the petition.

Downloads: 6
Fill & Customize
Basic Download

New York Name Change Form

Last updated October 31st, 2025

A New York name change form is for adults who want to petition the court to legally change their name. This document may also be used for individuals seeking a change in their sex designation. The document must be notarized and filed with the petitioner’s county or supreme court, where a judge will approve or deny the petition.

Eligibility Requirements

  • At least 18 years of age
  • New York State resident
  • Consent of both parents for minors

How to Legally Change a Name in New York

Step 1 – Fill Out the Petition

The petitioner must complete and notarize the Name Change and/or Sex Designation Change Petition for Individual Adult (UCS-NC1).

This process may be completed online via the Adult Name Change Petition Program.

Step 2 – Gather Other Documents

The petitioner will need to provide the court with proof of birth and the Order Granting Name Change and/or Sex Designation Change for Individual Adult (UCS-NCO1) with their petition.[1] Copies of other documents may be required, which may include[2]:
  • Certificate of Incarceration or Disposition
  • Bankruptcy Judgement
  • Judgements or liens against the petitioner or their property
  • Lawsuit court papers
  • Child or spousal support order
  • Notice of Petition (for petitioners convicted of certain crimes[3]

Step 3 – File the Petition

Petitioners must bring proof of identity, proof of residency, and the filing fee with their documents to their local County or Supreme Court.[4] A Supreme Court filing will also require the petitioner to file a Request for Judicial Intervention.

Some counties permit the E-filing of documents with the New York State Courts Filing system.

Step 4 – The Order Granting Name Change

If the judge chooses to approve the petitioner’s request, they will sign the Order Granting Name Change.[5]

In some cases, the judge may require the petitioner to notify other parties of the name change or to appear for a hearing.[6] All petitioners who have been convicted of a crime will be required to have a hearing.

Marriage and Divorce

Anyone can change their surname or middle name through marriage by entering the new name on the Marriage License Application.[7] NYC residents can retrieve their license online or in person; those living outside of NYC must apply in person at their local town or city clerk’s office.

Individuals getting divorced may request a restoration of their former name on the divorce decree.[8]

Sources

  1. N.Y. Civ. Rights Law § 61(1)
  2. N.Y. Civ. Rights Law § 61(1)
  3. N.Y. Civ. Rights Law § 62(2)
  4. N.Y. Civ. Rights Law § 60
  5. N.Y. Civ. Rights Law § 63
  6. N.Y. Civ. Rights Law § 64(2)(a)
  7. N.Y. Civ. Rights Law §65(1)
  8. N.Y. Civ. Rights Law §65(2)