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Name Change For Adults
[Esta página está en español;
Trang này bằng tiếng Việt]
 This page tells you how to change your name and has information on
related topics.
Click on a topic to learn more:
- How do I change my name?
- How do I change my name and gender?
- What do I do with my completed forms?
- What do I do after I file my forms?
- Where to go on the day and time of the hearing?
- How do I get an amended birth certificate?
- What if there is no middle name on my birth certificate and I want to
add one?
- How do I change my last name to my spouse's name
after I get married?
-
After a divorce, how do I get back my maiden name or other name I used
before?
-
How do I change my name?
To change your name, you will need some or all of these forms:
You can download all of the forms by clicking on the form number above or
get them from the Self Service Center in downtown San Jose.
You can also get all forms from the forms section of the
Judicial Council website or buy blank forms at a bookstore or stationery
store.
You probably don’t need a lawyer to change your name.
But, here are other resources to help you:
- Name Change Packet: Free samples and instructions from the Probate
Division at the Downtown Superior Court. Click here for the
address and phone number for the Downtown Superior Court. When you
call the main number, listen carefully and choose the extension for
Probate.
- Santa Clara’s Self Service Center.
- How to Change your Name, Loeb and Brown (book)
- California Code of Procedures, § 1276 (Click here to read:
CCP1276)
To find a lawyer, call the Lawyer Referral Service:
(408) 971-6822
or click here for the
Lawyer Referral website. top of page
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- How do I change my name and gender?
Follow the same process as described in How do I change my name?, above.
But, instead of forms NC-100, NC-120 and NC-130, use:
-
NC-200 Petition for Change of Name and Gender
-
NC-220 Order to Show Cause for Change of Name and Gender
-
NC-230 Decree Changing Name and Gender
You must also file for a doctor’s statement. Read the forms for more
specific instructions. You can also read: Health & Safety Code
Sections 103430,
103435.
- What do I do with my completed forms?
Fill out your forms and take them to the Probate Division at
Downtown Superior Court.
Bring:
- NC-100 original + 1 copy
- NC-120 original + 2 copies
- NC-130 original + 2 copies
- CM-010 original + 1 copy
If you are changing your gender, bring these forms instead of NC-100,
NC120 and NC-130:
NC-200, NC-220 and NC-230
The clerk will check your forms and file them. You will have to pay a filing fee
(check
probate fee
schedule for dollar amount).
The clerk will give you a
case number, a hearing date and “filed-endorsed” copies of your
forms.
- What do I do after I file my forms?
Take your filed-endorsed copies of NC-120 to a
newspaper of general circulation in Santa Clara County
for publication.
The law says a newspaper must publish NC-120 for 4 weeks in a row before
your hearing.
Do this right away because the publication process must be complete before
your hearing.
When publication is complete, the newspaper will file proof of publication
with the court and will mail you a copy. Bring your copy of the proof of
publication to your hearing.
- Where to go on the day and time of the hearing?
Go to room 107 on the date and time of the hearing to pick up the Decree
Changing Name (NC130).
When you file NC-130, you can buy certified copies. (Check here for the
fee schedule
for certification fee.)
We cannot say how many copies you will need. But, keep in mind that it’s a
good idea to have a certified copy until your birth certificate and I.D.
are changed to match your new name.
You may also need certified copies to change your name on your credit
cards, social security card, passport, or for immigration purposes.
- How do I get an amended birth certificate?
Follow the instructions on the
Minor Name
Change page at this site. top of page
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- What if there is no middle name on my birth
certificate and I want to add one?
To add a middle name, follow these steps:
| Step 1 |
Fill out form VS-24 (Application to Amend a Record).
You must type your answers and sign in black ink.
You can get this form from:
The State can mail or email this form to you if you ask for one
at: OVRform@dhs.ca.gov
Give them your name, mailing address, and say you want Form VS-24.
|
| Step 2 |
Mail your form to:
State of California
Office of Vital Records
P.O. Box 730241
304 "S" Street
Sacramento, CA 94244-0241 |
| Step 3 |
You may have to pay a fee.
If you changed and registered your name within the last year, the
State will charge you a fee.
They will also charge a fee if you want a certified copy mailed to
you.
For information on fees, read the
State's document concerning amended birth certificates.
It takes about 6 months for the State to change your record.
|
- How do I change my last name to my spouse's name
after I get married?
If you are interested in changing your last name to your new spouse's last
name you do not need to file a Petition for Name Change. You should
simply be able to show a certified copy of your marriage license to
- After a divorce, how do I get back my maiden name or other name I
used before?
You must handle this in the Family Court where you got your divorce.
Follow these steps:
| Step 1 |
Fill out form
FL-395
(Restoration of Former Name)
You can download this form by clicking on the link above, or from
the forms page at the Judicial Council website, or buy a blank form
at a bookstore or stationery store.
|
| Step 2 |
File your form in the county where you got your
divorce. Use the same case number you used for your divorce. You can
do this in person or by mail.
If you were divorced in Santa Clara County, send your request to:
Family Court
Family Law Division
191 No. First St.
San Jose, CA 95113
For the filing fee, see the section "Ex parte application requiring
a party to give notice of the ex parte appearance to other parties,"
on the
Court's fee page.
If you need a certified copy, please provide a self-addressed
stamped envelope and the additional fee for this service (see
Record Related Fees on the
Court's fee page).
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