Name Change

Name Change: General Information

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For Self-Help Services’ hours of operation and services, please click here.

Name Change at a Glance

The process for changing a name can be complicated, and it is somewhat different depending on whether the name being changed is for an adult, or a child (minor), although many of the same forms are used.
You can find more information about changing a name and/or gender for adults and minors on the tabs to your left.
After a court grants your request, there are numerous places you need to notify (such as social security, DMV, passport office, etc.), to update your legal documents. Below you will find more information to help with that step.

Where to File?

The following name/gender petitions must be filed with the Family Division at the Lamoreaux Justice Center in Orange:

Any name change and/or gender change that involves a minor child.
Any name change involving an adult who has or had a Family Law case in Orange County
A Petition for name change and gender for an adult who has or had a Family Law case in Orange County.

You are also required to file the following local form with your petition in Family Court:

Family Law Notice Re Related Case (L-1120).

All the forms you need to file your petition have been put together in our helpful form packets that can be found on the tab to your left under “Name Change for Adult” or “Name Change for a Minor.”

The following name change/gender change petitions should be filed with the Civil Division at the Central Justice Center:

Any name change for an adult with no existing Family law case in Orange County, or
A Petition For Recognition of Change of Gender and for Issuance of New Birth Certificate for all adults, whether or not a family law case exists

You are also required to file the following local form with your petition in Civil Court:

Name Change Notice of Related Case (L-XXX).

All the forms you need to file your petition have been complied in our helpful form packets that can be found on the tab to your left under "Name Change for Adult."

Not sure where to file or what forms to file?
Staff at the Self-Help Centers, Family Division, and Civil Division can assist you with general information:

Forms and Law

FORMS:

Forms are available on this website, at one of the Justice Centers listed below, or your nearest Self-Help Center.

IPlease visit “Name Change for Adults” or “Name Change for Minors” to determine what forms you will need, and the steps required to complete the process. To read more about court forms visit: The Basics of Court Forms.

LAWS:

Links of commonly used laws:

Courthouse Filing Locations and Hours: Assistance in Person or by Telephone

As mentioned above, depending on your case, you can file at one of the courts below. You can obtain procedural assistance between the hours of 8:00 am and 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday (except for Court observed Holidays ).

Lamoreaux Justice Center
341 The City Drive S.
Orange, CA 92868

Family Law Clerks:
7th floor, Room 706

Self-Help Center:
1st floor, Room C-190

Phone Number: 657-622-6878

Central Justice Center 700 West Civic Center Drive
Santa Ana, CA 92701

Civil Law Clerks:
1st floor, Room D-100

Self-Help Center:
1st floor, Room C-190

Phone Number: 657-622-6878

Please note that you may also obtain procedural assistance and any of our Self-Help Centers. Self-Help Centers are located inside each Courthouse in Orange county. Please visit the following link for locations and hours: Self-Help Centers

eFiling

At this time, only petitions filed at Central Justice Center can be filed electronically (eFiled). Please visit the eFiling tab for more information about how to eFile.
If you would like to eFile and need access to a computer, you may visit one of our Self-Help Centers, you can also find public computers at most libraries and the public law library.

Judicial Council of California