Legally changing your name is a long, complex process, and it is strongly recommended that you do not attempt to complete it on your own. Having the help of an attorney is critical to making sure that the entire process is completed smoothly and in a timely manner. Even one small mistake in paperwork can lead to your petition being rejected, and having to start the process all over again, which takes several months to complete.
What happens at a name change hearing?
When you request your name to be altered, you must see a judge who will sign the order. The hearing should take no more than 10 minutes if everything goes as expected. The judge will ask you several questions verifying your identity and the name you wish to change to, as well as the reasoning for the name change. There are many legitimate reasons for requesting a name change, including personal preferences. Nevertheless, the judge will verify that the name change is not for any fraudulent or criminal means.
What do you need for a name change hearing?
The hearing itself is the easiest part of completing a name change. The following paperwork must be completed before the actual hearing date (Note that this is for Lancaster County, and the requirements could differ for other counties).
- Petition
- Fingerprinting Order
- Order for Hearing of an Adult / Order for Hearing of a Minor
- Civil Cover Sheet
- Court Administration Cover Sheet
- State Cover Sheet
- Publication Notice
- Cover Letters to Newspapers for Your Notice of Publication – It is required that 2 newspaper agencies with general circulation in the county publish your name change.
- Service Documents for Publication
- Service Documents for Non-Petitioning Parent(s) (For minors)
- Prothonotary’s office certification
- Clerk of Courts Certification
- Decree for an Adult / Decree for a Minor
Hire an Attorney
Attempting this process on your own will be difficult, frustrating, and cost a lot of money in filing fees that could go to waste if you make a mistake. The Court staff and judges are NOT permitted to give you legal advice and will not be forgiving if you did not know how or when to complete certain steps. The experienced attorneys at Chieppor & Egner LLC can help with making this process as simple and pain-free as possible. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss whether this process is right for you and your future.
