Understanding the Name Change Process in Sacramento

In Sacramento, to petition the court to change a name of an adult or to change the name of a minor; the Sacramento County court recommends using the LawHelp Interactive Form Filler online. For more details visit the court’s Civil Self Help Services website. You can also fill out individual forms by hand or online.

This Understanding the Name Change Process in Sacramento guide includes answers to commonly asked questions and sample filled out forms.

Templates and Forms

The Sacramento County court recommends using the LawHelp Interactive Form Filler online to complete the forms.

Individual forms:

Adult or Minor Name Change

• NC-100 Petition for Change of Name
• NC-110 Attachment
• NC-120 Order to Show Cause for Change of Name
• NC-130 Decree Changing Name
• For changing name of minor when one parent cannot be located:
  Declaration of Diligent Search and Request to Dispense with Notice re Petition for Change of Name (CV/E-208)

Fee Waiver (if requested)

• FW-001 Request to Waive Court Fees

STOP! If you are changing your NAME AND GENDER, the process is different, and this guide will not work for you. Ask the Reference Librarian for more information.

Common Questions

What newspaper should I publish the notice of hearing in?  You can find a list of newspapers approved for publication in Sacramento County, along with prices, deadlines, and other information, on the Sacramento County Court’s website.

• The different papers charge very different prices, so that may help you decide.
• Some papers will file the proof of publication for you, while others require you to pick it up and file it in court yourself. If the paper does it, it’s much easier for you. Missing the deadline to file the proof of publication is a common reason name changes are denied.

I just want my own name back after a divorce. If you are restoring your name after dissolution of marriage, you can ask the family court to restore your former name. Use:“Ex Parte Application for Restoration of Former Name after Entry of Judgment and Order,” (Restoring Former Name Packet)

The different papers charge very different prices, so that may help you decide.

Does the child have to agree to a name change? As the parent or legal guardian, it is your decision. However, if changing the name of a minor over the age of 12, it is recommended that the minor write a declaration agreeing to the name change. Use: Declaration of Minor (MC-030)

What if I can’t find the other parent? If the other parent cannot be served because their location is unknown, the petitioning parent must submit a declaration detailing all attempts made to locate the other parent. Use: Declaration of Diligent Search and Request to Dispense with Notice re Petition for Change of Name (CV/E-208)

How do I update my or my kids’ California birth certificate? Once the name change is granted, you will need to contact the California Office of Vital Records. If you or your children were born in another state, contact that state’s department of vital records or equivalent.

Does changing a child’s name terminate parentage? Giving a child a different name from the father’s or otherwise changing the child’s name does not affect the parent-child relationship or the legally recognized identity of the parents. More information on Parentage

Changing Your Name in Government and Business Records

Once your name change is granted, you will need to contact agencies to alert them of your new name. Here are some common documents that will need to be updated:

• First: update Social Security records
  1-800-772-1213
• Second: update California Driver’s License or California ID card

You will need up-to-date Social Security records to change the DMV records. You will need one or both of the updated IDs to change most other records.

Here are some common documents that will need to be updated:

Public Records

• Passport
• Tax Records: Both Federal and California should automatically update when Social Security does
• Vehicle Registrations (CA)
• Voter Registration
• Birth Certificates and Attachments
• Veterans Administration
• State Licensing Boards, Public Benefits, Other Government Agencies:
  Contact agency directly

Private Records

• Deeds to Real Estate and Mortgages: create and record a new deed. Guide:Deeds: Adding or Changing Names on Property (Name Changes)
• Wills/Trusts/Powers of Attorney: amend documents or create new ones. Provide copies to people and businesses who have copies of the old ones.
• Insurance

Contact each of the following directly:

• Credit Cards and Credit Reporting Agencies
• Employer’s Records
• Bank Accounts
• Stocks, Bonds, Mutual Funds, and IRAs
• Medical & School Records
• Utilities

For Help

SH@LL (Self-Help at the Law Library)
609 9^th Street, Sacramento CA 95814
(916) 476-2731 (Appointment Request Line)

Services Provided: SH@LL provides general information and basic assistance to self-represented litigants on a variety of legal issues. All assistance is provided by telephone. Visit “What we can help with” for a list of qualifying cases.

Eligibility: Must be a Sacramento County resident or have a qualifying case in the Sacramento County Superior Court.

Civil Self-Help Services (SHS)
Sacramento County Superior Court Hall of Justice
813 Sixth St., Sacramento CA 95814
916-874-1421

For More Information

On the Web

SH@LL Name Change Workshop Video
This video from SH@LL (when it was called the Civil Self-Help Center) walks viewers through all the paperwork necessary to petition the court for a name change.

California Courts Self-Help Website: “Name Change“
This website explains the name change process, and provides links to all the forms.

At the Law Library

How to Change Your Name in California KFC 109 .L6 (Self-Help)
Electronic Access: From any computer (library or home) via the Legal Information Reference Center. Instructions are available on our website at Nolo Ebooks.

Samples

Petition for Name Change

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Declaration (Consent of Child)

Order to Show Cause

Decree Changing Name

Proof of Service of Order to Show Cause

Declaration of Diligent Search

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