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Change your child's name with confidence using our court-approved petition. Perfect for adoption, family alignment, or personal reasons. Download instantly in Word format and file with your county court—no attorney needed. Includes petition, verification, parental consent forms, and court order templates. Just $9.99, trusted since 1995.
Select your state below to get started.
Related packet Changing your own name as an adult? Use the adult name change packet designed for self-represented filings by adults 18 and over.
View Adult Name Change FormsChanging your child's name is a significant decision that requires a precise, court-approved process. Our Petition for Change of Name of Minor ensures you meet all legal requirements while prioritizing your child's best interests. Tailored for parents and guardians, this form simplifies filing in any U.S. county court with clear instructions and full compliance.
Built for parents and legal guardians seeking court approval for a child's name change, with copy focused on the minor name change process.
The petition language helps present the request in terms courts expect for minors, including the child's identity, family circumstances, and lawful purpose.
Minor name changes often involve parental consent, notice, or publication rules. Your packet is organized to help you follow the requirements for your state.
Complete the packet in Word or print it for handwritten completion, making it easier to prepare documents carefully before filing.
Once approved, the signed order can be used to update the child's birth certificate, Social Security record, school, medical, and identity records.
Download immediately and complete the forms on your own device. No account, online interview, or family information entry is required.
This packet helps parents and guardians approach a child's name change with clearer forms, better organization, and stronger filing confidence. Select your state above to get your minor packet.
How it works
Choose your state, prepare the minor petition, and file it with the appropriate county court.
Get the correct minor name change forms for your state instantly after purchase.
Fill out the editable Word documents or print and complete the packet by hand.
Submit the packet to your county court and follow the included state-specific instructions.
Parents and guardians often seek a court order to align a child's records after adoption, remarriage, family changes, or corrections to official identity documents.
Select your state to open the minor name change packet prepared for that filing path. You can use the search box or browse the complete state list below.
This legal document, filed by a parent or guardian, requests court approval to change a child's name. Once signed by a judge, it allows updates to the child's birth certificate, Social Security records, and other identification.
Any parent or legal guardian can file in the county where they reside, provided the name change serves the child's best interests and meets state consent requirements.
Courts accept reasons like adoption, divorce, cultural or religious alignment, correcting records, or supporting a child's identity, as long as the change is lawful and not fraudulent.
In most states, yes, unless one parent has no legal rights or meets exemptions as defined by state law. The form includes notice templates for compliance.
Our attorney-reviewed form is just $9.99—a fraction of lawyer fees, which can exceed $1,000. Court filing fees vary by county, typically $100–$400.
No, this form is designed for pro se (self-represented) filings. However, consult an attorney for complex cases involving custody disputes or non-consenting parents.
Many states require publishing a notice in a local newspaper. Our form includes a "Notice of Petition" template to meet this requirement.
Typically 4–12 weeks, depending on court schedules, publication periods, and whether a hearing is required. Check your state's specific rules.
Not automatically. After court approval, submit the signed order to your state's vital records office to update the birth certificate.
Possibly, but you may need to prove the change is in the child's best interest. Courts may require notice or a hearing. Consult an attorney for contested cases.
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ILRG provides self-help legal forms and filing information, not legal advice. State and county requirements vary, so review the instructions included with your packet before filing.