California Courts: Self-Help Center: More Topics: How to Change Your Name or Your Gender: Changing the Name of an Adult: How do I Ask the Court to Change my Name?

Fill out the Petition for Change of Name (Form NC-100), including the Attachment to Petition (Form NC-110) and make 2 copies of each.
Fill out the Order to Show Cause for Change of Name (Form NC-120) and make 2 copies.
Some courts require you to fill out local forms to ask for a name change, like a Criminal Background Information Form. Ask your local court if there are local forms you have to fill out.
Fill out the Civil Case Cover Sheet (Form CSM-010)
File all your papers with the copies in the court in the county where you live.
Publish the Order to Show Cause in a newspaper of general circulation once per week for 4 weeks in a row—ask your court for a list of newspapers. Not all newspapers are valid, and the fees they charge are different, so call around.
Go to your court date and take the proof of publication from the newspaper. You will also need the Decree Changing Name (Form NC-130) for the judge to sign.
Once you get your Decree Changing Name, get a certified copy from the court. You will need this to change all your legal documents, including your birth certificate, social security card, and other papers like passport.

Last modified: 03/17/2008