A court-approved name change can be made following a marriage or a divorce in Kansas. If a birth parent or both birth parents want to change the name of their minor child to the mother’s maiden name, the father’s name or a hyphenated name of both parents, the parents have to complete a Paternity Consent Form for Birth Registration at the courthouse. If the form is filled out by only one parent, a hearing will be scheduled to settle the issue. Once the consent form has been signed by a judge, the court clerk will send the document to the Office of Vital Statistics for amendment of the birth certificate.http://www.kdheks.gov/vital/amend_birth_minors.html In other cases, a court order for name change is needed. This page provides information on how to change your name in Kansas by means of a court order.

Only residents of Kansas living in a county for at least 60 days can change their names through orders issued by the Kansas district courts.http://www.kslegislature.org/legsrv-statutes/getStatute.do?number=24178 When an Order Changing Name is issued, the petitioner needs certified copies of the order to change legal documents such as a driver's license and social security card. The petitioner should also change other relevant legal records which include but are not limited to IRS file, insurance policies and retirement plans, employment record, passport, bank accounts, voter registration, health and medical records and property ownership.http://newlastname.org/ks-kansas

Obtain the relevant form from the district court of the county in which the petitioner resides. The form can also be downloaded from the website of the Kansas Legal Services.http://www.kansaslegalservices.org/node/216 For minor children, the petition should be prepared by a parent, a guardian or a guardian ad litem.http://www.kdheks.gov/vital/amend_birth_minors.html The form must be signed under oath in front of a notary public. File all the documents to the district court clerk who will give details about a hearing for the name change.http://www.kansaslegalservices.org/node/216

The court clerk will inform the petitioner how to give notice of the hearing. It can be by publication, by mail or both.http://www.kslegislature.org/legsrv-statutes/getStatute.do?number=24178 Notice by publication requires the petitioner to publish a notice with a local newspaper once a week for three consecutive weeks. http://www.kslegislature.org/legsrv-statutes/getStatute.do The newspaper will send a proof of publication either to the court or the petitioner upon completing the publication. If the petitioner receives the proof, he or she should bring it to the hearing. Notice by mail should be made by registered mail with return receipt. The petitioner should bring the return receipt to the hearing.http://www.kansaslegalservices.org/node/216

The petitioner must appear at the hearing. If the judge is satisfied with the petition, an Order Changing Name will be signed and issued. The petitioner should take the original copy of the order to the court clerk for record. Certified copies are given to the petitioner for own use.http://www.kansaslegalservices.org/node/216

The content of this page is intended for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional legal advice.