A California name change form permits a person older than the age of eighteen to ask for a name change for themselves or for children of which they are the legal guardian. The form with supporting documents and a filing fee is submitted to the California superior court residing in the person’s county of residence. Once a judge approves the request, the person will be served with a decree that will serve as legal proof of a name change. Those who wish to change a minor spelling fault on their child’s birth certificate might bypass the normal filing process and submit a request with the California Department of Health directly.
Name Change After Getting Married
The chance to change your last name usually presents itself at the time when the licensing documents are signed. However, in order to safeguard the legality of the change, it’s useful to contact the local California DMV and social security administration to see if they would be willing to accept your marriage certificate or license as proof of the change. There is a chance that they might request additional verification with a court order. In this case, your name will only be changed through a standard California adult name change process.
Changing Your Name After A Divorce
If the divorce is not finalized as yet, you can submit a request before a court to change your present name back to your maiden name before marriage. This can be done by entering your maiden name in section 4 (f) of the judgment. When your name is changed to something else other than your former name or to a married surname previously used, a standard petition for change of name must be filed. You can check here about How long does it takes to change your name to obtain more information. Once the divorce is finalized and was filed in California, you can phone the court clerk in your county and give him or her the divorce details. If you have a copy of the completed judgment or notice of entry, you can offer this to the clerk too. They will give you the necessary forms to complete and submit together with a self-address return envelope with a stamp.
Adult Name Change (No Divorce Or Marriage)
For an adult name change in California, the person can request a name change by filing a petition for the name change to the superior court. Once the petition is filed, the court will subsequently schedule the hearing date for between six and twelve weeks away. The purpose of the hearing is for the judge to review the requested name change and to establish if there is a good reason for it. Once approved, the judge will sign the decree, which can then be utilized as proof of a legal name change.
Name Change On Driver’s License
You can change the name on your Californian driver’s license by filling out the application for a social security card and by mailing or delivering it in person to an SSA office in your county. The following original or certified copies of documents must be submitted with the application:
- Proof of name change, i.e., marriage certificate, court order or divorce decree
- Proof of identity
- Proof of citizenship