At the time of filing you must pay the appropriate filing fee or request a Fee Waiver. You can check the local fee schedule for the current fee. Show
If you cannot afford to pay the court fees, you can apply for a Fee Waiver by completing the forms found in Self-Help form packet SHC-FW-01 . WHAT DO I DO WITH MY COMPLETED FORMS?Prior to filing you may visit one of the Self-Help Centers for a free pre-filing document review. WHAT DO I DO AFTER I HAVE FILED MY FORMS?SERVE THE PAPERS ON ABSENT PARENTUnless both parents file the petition, the parent who files the petition must have the other parent served with a copy of the filed documents at least 30 days before the hearing. You do not need to serve a copy of your Fee Waiver. WHO CAN SERVE THE COURT PAPERS?Anyone 18 or over who is not listed as a party in the case can serve the other parent. You can ask someone you know, you can hire a process server, or hire the Sheriff’s office. Please note that a process server and Sheriff’s office do charge a fee. PUBLICATIONFor most cases you must publish your filed form NC-120 (Order to Show Cause for Change of Name) in a newspaper of general circulation once a week for 4 weeks in a row. You can find the list of authorized newspapers here. DAY OF THE HEARINGIf both parents sign the petition, both must be present. If a parent objects to the request, they must also be present. Depending on the child’s age, the child should also be present. If there are no objections and the judge grant’s your request, you will be provided a copy of NC-130 (Decree of Name Change). You can also purchase certified copies of NC-130. You will likely need a certified copy to update a driver’s license, passport, or similar legal documents. HOW DO I LET PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT MY CHILD'S NAME?Ask your child to use only their new name and tell people, schools and businesses, that you deal with that your child’s name has changed. If anyone requires proof, you can show them a certified copy of NC-130 (Decree Changing Name). HOW TO CHANGE THE NAME ON YOUR CHILD’S DRIVER'S LICENSE OR CALIFORNIA ID?Go to your local Department of Motor Vehicles. Inform them that your child has changed their name and would like a new ID card or driver’s license. You will have to present a certified copy of NC-130 (Decree Changing Name). For additional information please visit www.dmv.ca.gov. HOW TO CHANGE THE NAME ON YOUR CHILD’S SOCIAL SECURITY CARD?You will have to contact the local Social Security Office. The Santa Ana office is located: FIFTH FLOOR You will be required to complete form SS-5 (Application for a Social Security Card). Please note that the form can be used for both situations in where your child has never received a Social Security number and when the child has a Social Security number. HOW TO CHANGE THE NAME ON YOUR CHILD’S BIRTH CERTIFICATEIf your child was born in California: If your child was born outside of California:
HOW TO CHANGE THE NAME ON YOUR CHILD’S SCHOOL RECORDS?Go to the school’s main office and request to update your child’s name. You will have to present a certified copy of NC-130 (Decree Changing Name) and complete any required paperwork. The court does charge a fee for certified copies. HOW TO CHANGE THE NAME FOR INSURANCE?Let your health, car and life insurance companies know of your child’s name change. They might require a certified copy of NC-130 (Decree Changing Name). They may re-issue policies to reflect the new name. HOW TO CHANGE THE NAME ON YOUR CHILD’S PASSPORT?For information on how to update or apply for a passport visit U.S. Department of State at www.travel.state.gov. HOW TO CHANGE THE NAME ON YOUR CHILD’S BANK ACCOUNTS?Your bank will require a certified copy of NC-310 (Decree Changing Name) and an additional form of identification like a driver’s license or school record. Please check with your bank to determine what forms of identification they accept and what forms you will have to complete. HOW TO CHANGE THE NAME ON YOUR CHILD’S PUBLIC ASSISTANCE?Take a certified copy of NC-130 (Decree Changing Name) to your local public assistance office. They will assist you in updating their records. For your monthly reporting statement, you can note that your child’s name has been changed in the section that asks if there is anything else to report. HOW TO CHANGE THE NAME ON YOUR CHILD’S TAX RECORDS?For information on how to change the name on your child’s State tax records, please visit www.ftb.ca.gov . For information regarding Federal tax records, please visit www.irs.gov. CREDIT CARDS, LEGAL AND OTHER IMPORTANT DOCUMENTSNotify credit card companies and change any important documents, like powers of attorney, living wills, trusts and contracts to the new name. |