Adult and Minor Name Changes

A party to a divorce proceeding may request that the court change their name to a name they previously used in the final divorce decree. Unless the court states in the decree a reason for denying the name change, it is required to grant the name change. The court cannot deny a change of name solely to keep the last name of family members the same.

If you are an adult wanting a name change outside of a divorce proceeding (e.g., because you failed to get one at the time they got divorced or for any other reason), you will need to file a petition for name change in the county where you reside. For the name change to be granted, you will have to submit your fingerprints to the Texas Department of Public Safety so that a criminal background check can be conducted and once that is completed you will need to appear at court for a final hearing. The name change will be granted if the court finds that it is in your interest and the interest of the public. Holly can help get a name change quickly by providing you with locations where you can get your fingerprint cards submitted to Texas Department of Public Safety electronically, greatly reducing the time in which it normally takes to get an order for name change.

A minor child's name change may be granted by a court as a part of an ongoing suit affecting the parent-child relationship or in a separate suit for name change. Note, however, that if the child has another parent whose rights have not been terminated, a managing conservator or a guardian, such person is entitled to service of citation of your suit and may object to the minor's proposed name change by filing an answer. For the name change to be granted, the court will need to find that the proposed change is in the best interests of the child.