Only residents of North Dakota can change their names through orders issued by the North Dakota district courts. The petitioners must be living in the state for at least six months before filing the petitions.http://www.legis.nd.gov/cencode/t32c28.pdf This page provides information on how to change your name in North Dakota by means of a court order. If the petitioner was convicted of a felony in any state or by the federal government, the name change may not be granted unless he or she can prove by clear and convincing evidence that the request is not aimed to defraud or mislead, is made in good faith, will not cause injury to an individual, and will not jeopardize public safety. If the court issues a name change order for a petitioner who has a criminal history in any state, the court must report the name change to the bureau of criminal investigation within ten days after the order is granted.http://www.legis.nd.gov/cencode/t32c28.pdf

When the Order for Change of Name is granted, the petitioner should change relevant legal records which include but are not limited to birth certificate, driver’s license, social security card, IRS file, insurance policies and retirement plans, employment record, passport, bank accounts, voter registration, health and medical records and property ownership.http://newlastname.org/nd-north-dakota

The petitioner must sign a written consent to conduct the criminal history record checks and make a statement indicating whether he or she has ever been convicted of a crime. The petitioner should go to a law enforcement agency or other local agency authorized to take fingerprints for providing two sets of fingerprints.http://www.legis.nd.gov/cencode/t12c60.pdf

Obtain the relevant forms from the district 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. File all the documents and the fingerprint cards to the court clerk.http://www.legis.nd.gov/cencode/t32c28.pdf The court will ask for a report from the bureau of criminal investigation and the federal bureau of investigation.http://www.legis.nd.gov/cencode/t12c60.pdf

A notice of the name change application must be published in an official newspaper of the county in which the petitioner resides at least thirty days before the petition is reviewed by the court. For a minor, the notice should be published in the county in which the minor resides or the county in which each of the minor's parents reside. If the minor has a noncustodial parent, a copy of the notice must be mailed not later than ten days after the publication of the notice.http://www.legis.nd.gov/cencode/t32c28.pdf The petitioner should ask the newspaper for proof of publication and file it with the court.

If the judge is satisfied with the petition either by affidavit or in open court, an Order for Change of Name will be signed and issued.http://www.legis.nd.gov/cencode/t32c28.pdf

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