Name Change as Part of Divorce | Correcting Name on Child's Birth Certificate | Petitions to Change Name   
Changing a Child's Name | Notifying Others of the New Name

Statute 68.07 describes how a formal, legal change of name may be obtained when not changed as part of a divorce, adoption, or paternity action. This statute permits an individual to change his or her name, a family to change the family name, or one or both parents to change the name of a child if proper notice is given to the other parent.

The petition to change a name must be signed under oath and show:

(a) That the petitioner is a resident of and domiciled in the county where the change of name is sought.

(b) If known, the date and place of birth of petitioner, petitioner's father's name, mother's maiden name, and where petitioner has resided since birth.

(c) If petitioner is married, the name of petitioner's spouse and if petitioner has children, the names and ages of each and where they reside.

(d) If petitioner's name has previously been changed and when and where and by what court.

(e) Petitioner's occupation and where petitioner is employed and has been employed for five years next preceding filing of the petition. If petitioner owns and operates a business, the name and place of it shall be stated and petitioner's connection therewith and how long petitioner has been identified with said business. If petitioner is in a profession, his profession shall be stated, where he has practiced his profession and if a graduate of a school or schools, the name or names thereof, time of graduation, and degrees received.

(f) Whether the petitioner has been generally known or called by any other names and if so, by what names and where.

(g) Whether petitioner has ever been adjudicated a bankrupt and if so, when and where.

(h) Whether petitioner has ever been convicted of a felony and if so, when and where.

(i) Whether any money judgment has ever been entered against petitioner and if so, the name of the judgment creditor, the amount and date thereof, the court by which entered, and whether the judgment has been satisfied.

(j) That the petition is filed for no ulterior or illegal purpose and granting it will not in any manner invade the property rights of others, whether partnership, patent, good will, privacy, trademark, or otherwise. Requests to change an individual's name or the family name do not require notice to third parties. There is no one to serve with a copy of the petition. A hearing may be held any time after the filing of the petition. The power of the court to deny the request to change a name of an adult is limited to those circumstances when the change is sought for an illegal or fraudulent purpose or where it affects the property rights of others. Except for those reasons, a change of name for adults is routinely granted.