The complete guide to changing your name in California!

Divorce, complicated spelling, tricky pronunciation, personal preference -- there are several reasons why you may want to change your name. And though the rules have changed recently, it's still a relatively straightforward procedure in the Golden State.

How to Change Your Name in California provides the step-by-step instructions and legal forms you need to:

• choose a name and make it your own
• change back to your former name after divorce
• change your child's name
• get a new or amended birth certificate for you or your child
• get a new driver license, Social Security card and passport
• get a court to recognize a change of gender

The 13th edition reflects the latest rules and regulations on changing your name, a new section on changing your name after a same-sex marriage, including discussion of potential conflicts between state and federal law that can affect how the name change process turns out. Plus, it's been updated to reflect a recent law that allows either spouse to change their name after marriage.

Nolo has dozens of products created just for California residents. Check out Nolo's list of California products.

Table of Contents

1. Methods for Changing Your Name

• How to Change an Adult’s Name
• How to Change a Child’s Name

2. What’s Your Name?

• What’s Your Name?
• Multiple Last Names
• Multiple First Names
• Pen, Stage, and Other Business Names

3. Restrictions on New Names

• Famous Names
• Fictitious Names
• Initials, Numbers, Punctuation, and One-Word Names
• Racial Slurs, Fighting Words, and Other Forbidden Names
• Titles and Forms of Address
• Names You May Give a Child at Birth

4. Marriage, Divorce, and Custody

• Marriage
• Divorce and Annulment
• Custody, Remarriage, and Children’s Names

5. Birth Certificates

• Children and Birth Certificates
• Adults and Birth Certificates

6. Basics of the Court Petition

• Filing on Behalf of a Child
• Getting Information From Your Superior Court
• Getting Your Papers in Order
• Basic Name Change Forms
• Forms for Legal Guardians

7. Changing Your Gender

• Forms for Change of Name and Gender
• Gender Change Without Surgery
• Alternatives to Court Recognition of Your Gender Change
• Getting Court Recognition of Your Gender When You Have Already Changed Your Name
• Filing Your Petition, Publishing Your Order to Show Cause, and Obtaining Your Order
• Obtaining a New Birth Certificate
• Obtaining a New Passport

8. Filing, Publishing, and Serving Your Court Petition

• File Papers With the Court
• Arrange for Publication of the Order to Show Cause
• The Service of Process Requirement (Minor’s Name Change)
• Publishing Notice to the Other Parent
• Waiver of Publication Requirement

9. Final Steps Toward Changing Your Name

• Appear in Court, if Necessary
• Steps to Take After Your Name Change

10. How to Get Your New Name Accepted

• Documentation
• Notify Agencies and Institutions: A Chart

11. Finding Additional Help

• When You Might Need a Lawyer
• Hiring an Attorney
• Legal Document Assistants (“Typing Services”)
• Doing Your Own Legal Research

Appendixes

A. How to Use the CD-ROM

• Installing the Files Onto Your Computer
• Using Government Forms
• Using the Spreadsheets
• Forms on the CD-ROM

B. Sample Blank Forms

• Forms for Changing Your Name or a Minor’s Name
• Ex Parte Application for Restoration of Former Name After Entry of Judgment and Order
• Petition for Change of Name
• Attachment to Petition for Change of Name
• Order to Show Cause for Change of Name
• Decree Changing Name
• Civil Case Cover Sheet
• Supplemental Attachment to Petition for Change of Name (Declaration of Guardian)
• Decree Changing Name of Minor (by Guardian)
• Forms for Changing Your Name and Gender
• Petition for Change of Name and Gender
• Declaration of Physician Documenting Change of Gender Through Surgical Treatment Under Health and Safety Code Sections 103425 and 103430
• Order to Show Cause for Change of Name and Gender
• Decree Changing Name and Gender
• Medical Certification and Authorization (Gender Change)
• Forms for Changing Your Gender Only and Getting a New Birth Certificate
• Petition for Change of Gender and Issuance of New Birth Certificate
• Notice of Hearing on Petition for Change of Gender and Issuance of New Birth Certificate
• Order for Change of Gender and Issuance of New Birth Certificate
• Fee Waiver and Miscellaneous Forms
• Information Sheet on Waiver of Court Fees and Costs
• Request to Waive Court Fees
• Attachment
• Order on Court Fee Waiver
• Request for Hearing About Court Fee Waiver (Superior Court)
• Order on Court Fee Waiver After Hearing
• Proof of Service of Order to Show Cause
• Missing Parent Search Log
• Declaration

Index

Forms

• Ex Parte Application for Restoration of Former Name After Entry of Judgment and Order
• Petition for Change of Name
• Attachment to Petition for Change of Name
• Order to Show Cause for Change of Name
• Decree Changing Name
• Civil Case Cover Sheet
• Supplemental Attachment to Petition for Change of Name (Declaration of Guardian)
• Decree Changing Name of Minor (by Guardian)
• Petition for Change of Name and Gender
• Order to Show Cause for Change of Name and Gender
• Decree Changing Name and Gender
• Medical Information Authorization
• Information Sheet on Waiver of Court Fees and Costs
• Application for Waiver of Court Fees and Costs
• Attachment
• Order on Application for Waiver of Court Fees and Costs
• Proof of Service of Order to Show Cause
• Missing Parent Search Log
• Declaration
• Declaration of Physician Documenting Change of Gender Through Surgical Treatment
• Petition for Change of Gender and Issuance of New Birth Certificate
• Notice of Hearing on Petition for Change of Gender and Issuance of New Birth Certificate
• Order for Change of Gender and Issuance of New Birth Certificate

Reviews

Press Reviews

Legal Updates

Here are summaries of important legal or procedural changes that affect the latest edition of this product.