If you`ve recently changed your name after marriage, divorce, or for any other reason, you should update your driver`s license (or photo ID) as soon as possible. First, download the appropriate name change form from the list below. Once these conditions have been met, the applicant and the minor appear before the court at the hearing to prove these efforts. The court will hear any objections from third parties to the petition and consider the petition. If everything is in order and the court approves the intent and nature of the application, the court will sign an order formalizing the name change. In some counties, a fingerprint order form must be submitted to the judge with the motion. The judge will sign the fingerprint order and return it to you so you can begin the criminal background check process. If you live in a county where this order form is not required, simply ask the prothonotary`s office to provide you with a fingerprint card after submitting your petition (see a sample fingerprint card here). Visit your local police department (or the state police department if your community does not have a local RFP) and have your fingerprints taken. Send or give the fingerprint card to the prothonotary`s office and the prothonotary will ask the PSP to conduct a background check. If you do not have a criminal record, you can proceed with the name change process.
Courts are often willing to accept name changes for almost any legitimate reason. However, acceptance of an application for a name change is at the discretion of the court. In order for a decision/order/judgment on a name change to be rendered, the court must determine that the publication requirements and the requirements for the allegations contained in the application are met. The court must also find a fair and sufficient reason for the change, find that the change is consistent with the public interest and, if the name change involves a minor child, determine that the change is in the best interests of the minor child. Note: By using forms on this website, you confirm that you have read, understood and accepted this disclaimer. You may not change your name for fraudulent purposes, for example to avoid a debt, you may not change your name to a name that could affect the rights of another person, for example: a celebrity, you may not use a swearing, racist insult, obscene and/or offensive word in your name and you may not change to a name that would intentionally cause confusion (for example, a name with punctuation and/or number). You may want to change your name for a variety of personal reasons. Keep in mind that a name change cannot be made for fraudulent purposes to avoid a criminal conviction if you have been convicted of a crime or if you have declared bankruptcy and/or have pending sentences.
Also, you can`t change your name to something that might affect another person`s rights, and you can`t use a swearword, racial slur, or offensive language in your new name. The court has a “self-help” section on the name change process, which is available online. Each county in Pennsylvania has a slightly different process and may include additional forms. Before you begin the name change, you should contact your local clerk (and possibly an attorney) to ensure that no additional steps or specific forms are required for the county where the minor resides. For most minor name changes in the state of Pennsylvania, the following forms are sufficient: 7) You must conduct two judgment searches for each county where you have lived in the past five years to prove that you are not changing your name to avoid debt, child support, or child support. One search is done through the Court of Common Pleas, the other through the Family Court. You may need to hire someone to do them for you. Here are the basic steps to change a child`s name: 2) If you have a low income and plan to make “Petition to proceed in Forma Pauperis (IFP)”, fill out this before you begin the name change process. Again, the prothonotary will provide you with the process. Marriage licenses are also not accepted for REAL ID. A marriage certificate is a government document that you must approve before getting married.
A marriage certificate is like a marriage proposal and means that you are allowed to get married, not that you are married. A marriage certificate is the actual government and public record that proves that a couple is legally married. Another common scenario is that proof of identity (birth certificate or passport) shows a person`s full name, but subsequent documents (Social Security card, proof of residency) only show an initial of the middle name. As long as the middle initial on the following documents matches the first initial of your middle name on your proof of identity, this is acceptable to REAL ID. Keep in mind that our name change documents cover ONLY simple and undisputed name changes. Our products/services must not be used if you have been convicted of a crime, declared bankruptcy and/or have judgments/privileges against you. Instead, you should consider contacting a lawyer in your area. These circumstances may lead to complications that may result in your action being dismissed and/or challenged. If you are under 18, your parent or guardian must arrange the name change on your behalf and convince the court that the name change is “in the best interests of the child.” There are slightly different processes as well as forms for changing a minor`s name.
You may want to consider consulting a lawyer, as changing a minor`s name requires a heavier burden of proof. 1) Contact your county prothonotary for specific instructions on name changes. If only one (1) parent requests a change of the child`s name, they must obtain the consent of the other parent. The same applies if neither parent submits the application. Ask parents to fill out the consent form and sign it in front of a notary. If consent cannot be obtained, you must mail copies of the petition and publication order to the parents. Parents must sign the return shipment so that you can bring it to the hearing as proof of postage. (Some counties require petitioners to complete an affidavit of service by mail and an affidavit of service by registered mail — check with your county court clerk.) If you took your maiden name as your middle name and your spouse`s last name as your last name (example: you switched from Jane Marie Smith to Jane Smith Johnson), make sure your documents reflect a logical connection between the names. Fill out the required form and visit your county DMV offices. Depending on the situation, bring your marriage certificate, divorce decree or a certified copy of your name.
You may need to present your Social Security card and two (2) additional documents with your new name. The fee to update your name with the DMV is $29.50 for a driver`s licence (commercial or non-commercial) and $5 for a learner`s licence or photo ID. Those wondering how to take their spouse`s name after marriage will find the solution simple. Sign your marriage certificate with your new name and once the license is filed with the district court, you will receive a certified copy of your marriage certificate. This certificate serves as proof that you have legally changed your name. However, you will still need to notify government agencies such as single sign-on and DMV to update your licenses and SSCs. Complete the Miner`s Name Change Request and Publication Order Form (blank except for the minor`s name) and make copies of each form. Acceptable documents proving a name change include: If you use a confirmation name or other surname as a middle name that is not included on your proof of identity (birth certificate or passport) and you do not have legal documents – such as a court order – reflecting the name change, this will not be accepted for REAL ID. in accordance with federal regulations. Change of name petition forms – Contact your district`s office of the prothonotary to find out if they have a pre-printed form, a sample petition or, if you need to write one yourself, a list of what should be included in the petition to the court.
Make copies of the petition, ordinance, covers (if necessary) and submit them to your district prothonotary`s office. The clerk will ask you to pay the associated filing fee (fees can range from $100 to over $300). Sometimes the court clerk on site gives a hearing date; Otherwise, you will receive the publication order completed by the judge by mail. Hearings are generally not scheduled until forty-five (45) days after you submit your name change application to allow time to publish the name change in the newspapers. Applicable fees – The court will charge a filing fee (approximately $320) as well as a judgment search ($120 or more). However, if you are considered to be low-income, you can apply for the “Application to proceed in forma pauperis (IFP)”, which asks the court to waive filing and other fees to include the obligation to announce your name change in a newspaper. This must be done BEFORE you begin the actual steps to change your name. Download the Change of Name Order (also known as a Change of Name Order or Change of Name Decision) and bring it to your hearing along with the Notice of Proof of Publication and your Name Search Certificates. The judge will ask you questions about the proposed amendment and, if approved, sign the order, order or judgment.