How to Change a Child’s Name
After a divorce, a parent may wish to change a child’s name for various reasons. In the state of California, this will typically require the filing of a Petition for a Change of Name and the subsequent receipt of a court order to make the name change legal. If a divorce has not yet been finalized, you have the option of requesting the name change on Form FL-250 so that a change can be made while proceedings continue.
To better understand this complex process, especially if it is part of a custody dispute, contact the experienced San Jose divorce lawyers at the Law Office of Daniel Jensen, P.C. at 408-296-4100 for the legal advice you need.
Instructions for Legal Guardians
In order to change a child’s name if you are the legal guardian and not the parent, you will need to follow the following steps for each child:
- Complete the “Petition for Change of Name”, the “Attachment to Petition”, and the “Supplemental Attachment” forms
- Complete the “Civil Case Cover Sheet”
- Complete the form “Order to Show Cause for Change of Name”
- Publish your “Order to Show Cause” in a widely circulating newspaper every week for four weeks in a row
- At least 30 days prior to your court date, serve each of the child’s parents with a copy of the name change paperwork
- Finally, when attending your scheduled court date, you will need two “Proofs of Service”, one for each parent, proof of a newspaper publication, and the form “Decree Changing Name”
Contact Us
If you or someone you know is trying to make sense of the legal procedures surrounding divorce, child custody, and name changes for children, contact the San Jose divorce attorneys at the Law Office of Daniel Jensen, P.C. at 408-296-4100 for legal advice.
