Pennsylvania Name Change Important Notice
The documents you are preparing are for simple, uncontested court ordered name change. Uncontested means that no one objects to the proposed name change.
Additionally, the applicant - adult or minor child - qualifies to use these documents and instructions if he/she:
- Is a current resident of Pennsylvania and the county in which the petition will be filed.
- Will submit to the court a certified birth certificate and official fingerprints.
- Is seeking the change for a legitimate reason, with no intention of fraud.
- Is not filing, or has filed, bankruptcy.
- Does not have liens or judgments against him/her.
- Currently, is not on probation, parole or in prison, or has not been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor.
Other notes if the application is for an adult:
- If the adult is changing their surname (last name) and is the parent or adoptive parent of minor children age 17 or younger, these documents cannot be used.
Other notes if the application is for a minor child:
- The minor child and the petitioner(s) must meet the requirements stated above.
- Adults petitioning for the change should include one or both parents, or managing conservators, guardians or other persons who have been given legal rights to the child in a court order.
- If the parents of the children are single, separated or divorced, both parents still must consent to the name change, even if one parent has "sole custody". Exceptions would be if one or both parents had their rights to the children terminated by court order or if the parents are deceased.
Alternatives to court ordered name change:
- If the applicant - adult or minor - is correcting a first or middle name on a birth certificate and was born in Pennsylvania, inquire and find out if you can make the correction working directly with the Office of Vital Records in Pennsylvania: http://www.vitalrec.com/pa.html.
- If an adult applicant is changing a name due to marriage, or to a maiden or former name due to death of spouse or divorce, inquire with a Court Clerk if there is a simplified procedure to change the name versus through this court ordered name change process.
Name Change Forms
Self-Prepared
| Adult Name Change | $39.95 |
| Minor Name Change | $39.95 |
Paralegal-Prepared
| Adult Name Change | $99.95 |
| Minor Name Change | $119.95 |
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