Arizona Adult Name Change

Researched filing overview

Arizona Adult Name Change Filing Overview

Where you file

an adult 18 or older files the Application for Change of Name for an Adult (CVNC11F) with the Clerk of the Superior Court in the county where you live (A.R.S. § 12-601(A)) — Arizona sets no minimum length of residency. You sign the application before a notary under penalty of perjury.

What the court weighs

the application includes the § 12-601(C) statements — whether you have been convicted of a felony, whether specified felony or identity-fraud charges are pending, that you are not taking another individual’s name to commit those offenses, and that the change is in your best interest. The court must consider those answers in deciding; a crime victim or a prosecutor may contest before judgment or up to one year after (§ 12-601(D)), and a later listed conviction can set the judgment aside (§ 12-601(E)).

No automatic publication

Arizona has no automatic newspaper-publication requirement — the court may order notice of the application by publication or by service on an interested person, only if it deems notice proper (§ 12-602(A)). This packet includes the Notice of Hearing (CVNC18F), the Marital and Parental Waiver of Notice forms (CVNC16F and CVNC15F), and the Affidavit of Service by Certified Mail (CVNC24F) for that case. A waiver of notice is not consent and does not bind the court.

No fingerprints or background check

Arizona does not require fingerprint cards or a background-check filing for a name change.

Filing fee

$252 statewide base (AO 2024-210 schedule), and many counties add local fees — Maricopa totals about $367 — so confirm the exact amount with the clerk. If you cannot afford the fee, ask the clerk for the § 12-302 Application for Deferral or Waiver of Court Fees (form AOCDFGF1F).

Safety and sealing

if you are protected by an order of protection or an injunction against harassment, or you are a stalking victim under § 13-2923, the court may seal the application and judgment (§ 12-601(F)) — that protected class only, and always in the court’s discretion.

County forms note

these are the statewide Arizona Supreme Court self-service forms — the state’s own notice says each court may prefer its own versions, so confirm with your clerk or AZCourtHelp.org before filing. After the order: buy certified copies, then update your Social Security card first (SSA form SS-5, free), your ADOT/MVD license or ID, and your passport; Arizona-born filers amend the birth record through the ADHS Office of Vital Records (§ 36-337(A)(4)).