Is there anything else the Lawyer should know before I connect you? Rest assured they'll be able to help with your name change process.

Hi there! My name is Melissa and I have been a licensed family law and estate attorney for over 20 years. I am happy to help you with your question today!

So I can better help you, what county and state are you located in? This will help me to better guide you on the next steps of your name change request.

Great, thank you! What forms have you completed so far?

So this is the list of forms you will need:

• Notice of Name Change
• Petition for Name Change
• Declaration for Name Change
• Confidential Information form
• Order for Name Change

Which of those have you completed?

Ok! Here is a link to the instructions on what to do next. You will also need to complete the Notice to get started.

If you want to take a look at those instructions, those will guide you step by step. I want to give you a minute to review them so we can go over any questions you may have.

Here are the steps also:

• Before you start the name change process, contact the Clerk of Court and ask if you’re required to get a criminal history record check.
• If the Clerk of Court doesn’t know, the judge decides after you file your Petition and other supporting documents for your name change.
• If the judge requires you to complete a criminal history background check, you may be directed to this website to get your criminal history background check.

Step 1. Publish the Notice of Petition for Name Change in the Newspaper. Get an Affidavit of Publication, or Declaration of Publication, from the newspaper. Or, Skip Step 1 and Step 2 if Asking the Judge to Waive Publication.

Step 2. Wait 30 Calendar Days Before Completing the Rest of the Name Change Forms. Gather any written objections you receive after publication of the Notice. If you ask the judge to waive publication, you won’t gather written objections.

Step 3. Complete the Rest of the Name Change Forms.

Step 4. 30 Days After Publication, File the Original Petition, Declaration, Confidential Information Form, Notice of Petition for Name Change, Order Granting Name Change (Proposed), Affidavit of Publication, or Declaration of Publication, and any Written Objections with the Clerk of Court. Pay the $160.00 filing fee or file the completed Petition to waive filing fees. Or, if Asking the Judge to Waive Publication, File the Original Petition, Declaration, Confidential Information Form, and Order Granting Name Change (Proposed). Pay the $160.00 filing fee or file the completed Petition to waive filing fees.

Step 5. Get Your Criminal History Background Check if the Judge Requires One.

Step 6. The Judge Decides Whether to Grant the Name Change The judge may make a decision without holding a hearing or may require you to appear at a hearing before making a decision.

Step 7. Request a Certified Copy of the Order Granting Name Change

No problem! Here is a link to all of the forms mentioned in the instructions.

Was that helpful or do you still have questions?

Ok, so you also need to do the other forms:

• Notice of Name Change
• Petition for Name Change
• Declaration for Name Change
• Confidential Information form
• Order for Name Change

The affidavit is the same as the declaration. But, to get started, you need to do the Notice of Name Change and the Petition. Those are the first two forms.

Also, if you read through the instruction link that I sent, it will walk you through how to complete each form. It is very helpful in giving guidance on completing the forms.

I hope this was helpful for you today! I wish you the best of luck with your name change, and thank you for allowing me to assist you!