How to Change Your Name in California

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