There are several reasons why an individual might seek a name change in Texas. Perhaps a divorce, marriage or the name being associated with an infamous criminal. Whichever the case, the individual must file for a name change before a local court. However, for the petition to be granted, some requirements have to be met.
Here, we will cover what these requirements are, how to legally change your name in Texas, among other things.
The following are the components that should be included in a Texas name change form:
- Previous name
- New name
- Personal details such as sex, race, DOB, SSN and more
- Reason for name change
- Petitioner’s signature
- Notary
What Is a Texas Name Change Form & How Does It Work?
Like a South Carolina name change form, a Texas name change form is a form that allows all Texan county residents to petition for a change of name through a local court. There are a host of reasons why one might petition for a name change in Texas. This name change petition will usually be granted as long as the individual is at least 18 years old, the change is in the interest of the public and the individual is not a convicted felon.
If a parent, conservator or guardian files a petition for the name change of a minor, it is left for the court to decide whether or not the name change is in the best interest of the child and if they should grant such petition.
The laws guiding legal name change Texas is provided in § 2-C-45 of the Family Code.
How to Legally Change Your Name in Texas?
First things first, you need to create a Texas Name Change Petition and Order. The Texas Name Change petition should then be taken to a notary public for their signature. The notary verifies your identity and asks that you sign the petition.
The notary public then confirms that you signed the Name Change Petition in their presence with a signature. You shouldn’t sign the Texas Name Change Order at this point.
Contact a local law enforcement and make arrangements to have your fingerprints collected on an FBI fingerprint card. After getting your fingerprint card, you are required to make two copies each of the fingerprint card, the Name Change Order and the Name Change Petition. Following this, it is expected that you file your Name Change Petition and finger print card with the clerk of court in the county where you reside and get a case number in return. Note that filing the paperwork comes with a fee.
You would be given back a stamped copy of the Texas Name Change Petition and should keep the original copy of the Texas Name Change Order for the hearing. These copies should be taken to the court on the court date. Typically, the judge asks some questions which you are expected to answer honestly. The sitting judge may require you to swear an oath attesting to the truthfulness of the information provided before the court and that this change of name is in the best interest of the public. They might also insist that you repeat your reasons for the name change before the court. After reviewing the submission, the judge then makes a decision to either grant or not grant the legal name change. If granted, this judge signs the original copy of the Texas Name Change Order.
You should then file this signed copy with the clerk of the court's office and get a Certificate of Name Change. An individual who signs for a name change is also to request for a certified copy. However, this attracts a small fee.
Although the court grants an individual the legal rights to change their name, it is their responsibility to change their name with various government agencies, public and financial institutions. Some government agencies you might need to visit include the Department of motor vehicles and the social security office.
For quick processing of this name change, fill out a Social Security form SS-5 in advance. This form together with a means of identification should then be taken to a local social security office. The staff at this office then verifies these documents and present you with a certificate to attest to approving the name change.
When the reasons for a name changer are a divorce or marriage, the process is slightly different.
What Are The Common Name Change Cases in Texas?
For a Texas court to grant a name change, it must see that it is in the best interest of the petitioner to get the name change. The following are some of the most common reasons why a court may decide to grant a name in Texas:
- Change of familial relationships
- Couple wanting to answer same last name
- When the name is associated with an infamous criminal
- Petitioner has been a victim of identity theft or crime and hence, for security reasons, seeks a name change
- The name is difficult to spell
- Adoption
- Misspelled name
- Changing a name to match a developed pen name
- Disassociating oneself by name with a parent, guardian or relative.
Limitations and Requirements in Changing Names in Texas
There are no particular limitations to changing names in Texas other than a few exceptions. The court would generally not grant a petition for a name change if the petition is filed for the following reasons:
- To avoid obligations or debts
- To avoid legal action against the person
- To participate in any fraudulent transactions or schemes
- To avoid any legal action
According to section 45.102,the following requirements must be met for a name change petition to be granted.
- The petition must be verified and must contain:
- The full name change the petitioner is requesting
- Sex, race and date of birth of petitioner
- The contact information including present name and place of residence of the petitioner
- Reason for change of name
- Complete set of fingerprints on a fingerprint care
- Whether or not the petitioner has been convicted of a crime in the past
Conclusion
Are you looking for a free Texas name change form you can begin your name change process with? On CocoSign you will find several fillable forms you can download for free.