The petitioner must file the Petition along with fingerprint cards, Social Security card, birth certificate, photo ID, and a filing fee (and any other required documents), with the court of common pleas of the county where they live (typically through the prothonotary’s office).^[2]

After filing, the petitioner will receive their court hearing date.^[3] They must publish a notice of the hearing in two newspapers.^[4] Most counties require specific newspapers to be used for the notice. Once done, the newspapers will give the petitioner a Certification of Publication.

A search for any judgments or legal actions made against the petitioner in the last five years must be done by the prothonotary or the petitioner. If handled by the petitioner, they must bring the Petition to the required offices (typically the prothonotary, clerk of court, and recorder of deeds).

Once completed, the petitioner will receive a certification of the search. Some counties also require that the petitioner complete a criminal background check.

The petitioner must bring the filed forms, proofs of publication, and record search certifications to the hearing (additional forms may be required in some counties).^[5] Following the judge’s approval, a decree may be entered authorizing the name change, which is then mailed to the petitioner.^[6]

A name can be legally changed without a court petition when done for a marriage or divorce. Marriage license clerks can update an individual’s surname on the marriage certificate to match their spouse’s, if requested. Divorce court clerks may also restore a maiden name during the divorce process, which will be reflected on the divorce decree.^[7]

Both forms can be used to prove that an individual’s name has been legally changed when updating records with government agencies.