California Courts: Self-Help Center: More Topics: How to Change Your Name or Your Gender: Changing the Name of a Child: How do I Ask the Court to Change my Child's Name if I Want to File Without the Other Parent?

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If only one parent is filing:

Fill out the Petition for Change of Name (Form NC-100), including the Attachment to Petition (Form NC-110). You need one Attachment for each child whose name you want to change.
Fill out the Order to Show Cause for Change of Name (Form NC-120)
Fill out the Civil Case Cover Sheet (Form CM-010)
File all your forms with at least 2 copies of each in the court in the county where your child lives.
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.
Serve the other parent of your child with a copy of the paperwork at least 30 days before the court date. Click here for more information on how to serve the other parent.
Go to your court date and take the proof of publication from the newspaper and the Proof of Service showing the other parent got a copy of the papers. 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 your child's birth certificate, social security card, and other papers like passport.

Last modified: 03/17/2008