The following is a summary of the steps for obtaining a court order to change your name. This process differs depending on whether you want your name change to be public or confidential. For the confidential name change process see this page.
Name Change Steps:
1. Complete these forms:
a. NC-100 Petition for Change of Name (instructions for filling out this form can be found here)
b. NC-110 Attachment to NC-100
c. NC-120 Order to Show Cause for Change of Name (or use NC-125/NC-225 instead if the name change is to conform to gender identify)
d. CM-010 Civil Case Cover Sheet
e. NC-130 Decree Changing Name
2. Make Copies: make 2 copies of all your forms, or 3 copies if publishing (see step 4 below).
3. File Your Forms:
a. File all the forms and copies in the Superior Court of the county where you live.
b. Pay the filing fee or ask for a fee waiver (Form FW-001). For more information about fee waivers, see FW-001-INFO.
4. Publication:
a. Publish form NC-120 Order to Show Cause for Change of Name in a newspaper of general circulation once a week for four consecutive weeks prior to the court hearing. (The court in your county maintains a list of qualifying newspapers).
b. Publication is not required if the name change is for gender identity reasons.
5. Hearing:
a. Go to the court hearing with proof of publication and form NC-130.
b. Effective September 1, 2018, a name change to conform to gender identity will be granted without a hearing unless a timely, good cause objection is filed.
c. If the judge signs form NC-130, get a certified copy from the court (this is needed for changing your birth certificate, driver's license, social security card, and other pieces of identification).
From the California Court's website.
"If you are in state prison or county jail, or are on parole under the jurisdiction of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, in addition to publishing the order to show cause, serve copies of the of the Petition for Change of Name Form NC-100
, the Attachment to Petition for Change of Name Form NC-110, and the Order to Show Cause for Change of Name (Form NC-120 or Form NC-125, whichever is applicable) to a government agency, as listed below:
If you are in state prison, you must provide copies to the warden. Check with the warden's office as to how that should be done.
If you are in county jail, you must provide copies to the county sheriff's department. Check with that department as to how that should be done.
If you are on parole, you must provide copies to the regional parole administrator of California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Check with the administrator's office as to how that should be done.
After you have provided a copy to the sheriff, warden, or regional parole administrator, file a copy of the completed proof of service with the court. You may use Proof of Service (Form POS-040)."
This is an introduction only to the procedure for changing your name in California. It is not intended to be a comprehensive resource. Additional research may be necessary. If you require further assistance, please consult a reference librarian.
If you are representing yourself in court, the Odyssey Guide & File website may be able to help you prepare your legal documents online. Guide & File has forms for divorce, family law, eviction/unlawful detainer, small claims, restraining orders, guardianship, and more. You must review your forms before filing them with the court.
