Apply for a Name Change
Legally change your name by submitting a petition to a Superior Court.
To change your name if you are a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident, you must submit a petition to your local Superior Court. When you request to change your name, you are required to publicize your petition and wait at least 30 days before a hearing. After the court approves your name change request, you should update your name on government identification and other documents.
If you filed for a name change when you applied for your marriage license in order to take the name of your spouse, your marriage certificate from your county’s probate court is your legal name change document. You do not need to apply again for a name change through the county’s Superior Court. If you are applying to become a U.S. citizen, you may request a name change during the naturalization process.