How to Change Your Name in North Carolina

Residents of North Carolina can change their names as long as the reasons are good and sufficient. People are not allowed to change their names for avoiding creditors, criminal charges or civil lawsuits.http://www.ncsu.edu/stud_affairs/legal_services/legaldocs/Namechangeinfo.htm A sex offender is also prohibited from changing name.http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/pdf/ByChapter/Chapter_101.pdf Resuming the maiden name can be part of a divorce action without additional cost in North Carolina. The request can be included in the divorce complaint.http://www.ncsu.edu/stud_affairs/legal_services/legaldocs/Namechangeinfo.htm A widow, widower or a divorcee may resume the maiden name or pre-marriage name upon application to the clerk of court of the county where the applicant lives.http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_50/GS_50-12.html For people who would like to change their legal names under other circumstances, a court order for name change is required.http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/pdf/ByChapter/Chapter_101.pdf This page provides information on how to change your name in North Carolina by means of a court order.

When a court order is granted, the court clerk will record the change and notify the State Registrar of Vital Statistics to initiate amendments of the relevant records accordingly.http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/pdf/ByChapter/Chapter_101.pdf The petitioner should continue with alterations of other legal records which include but are not limited to social security, IRS file, driver’s license and car registration, passport, voter registration, bank accounts and property ownership.http://newlastname.org/nc-north-carolina

Step 1: Publish a Notice of Petition

Before applying to the court for a name change, the applicant shall give 10 days' notice of the application by publication at the courthouse door. A participant in the address confidentiality program or a victim of domestic violence, sexual offense, or stalking is exempted when evidence or proof is provided to the court.http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_101/GS_101-2.html

Step 2: Fill out the Forms and File the Petition

Obtain the relevant forms from a superior court of the county in which the petitioner resides. For minor children, the petition should be prepared by a parent, a guardian or a guardian ad litem. Both living parents must give consent to the name change. For a child reaching 16 years of age, the consent of the supporting parent with custody is sufficient.http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_101/GS_101-2.html Except for children under 16 years old, the petition has to be filed with a proof of good character made by at least two citizens of the county. These persons should be unrelated to the applicant. http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/pdf/ByChapter/Chapter_101.pdf The petition must be signed in the presence of a Notary.http://www.ncsu.edu/stud_affairs/legal_services/legaldocs/Namechangeinfo.htm

Step 3: Obtain the Order for Change of Name

The applicant should state in the petition what and why he or she wants with the name change and whether the name has been previously changed. The clerk will decide whether or not to issue an Order for Change of Name.