Name Change Article


Name Change in Arizona

If, for any good reason, you wish to change your name or the name of a minor who you are responsible for, the steps can be quite simple. Name change should not be used for reasons like: avoiding responsibilities and obligations, avoiding creditors or the other parent/guardian of a child. This article does not focus on name change as part of a marriage or a divorce, as those cases can be different. The article first summarizes the steps for a name change with the Arizona courts and then some general information about following up to change your birth certificate, social security card, and driver license.

Steps with the Arizona Courts
  1. Get the name change forms.
    You can go online at https://www.azcourts.gov/selfservicecenter/Forms/Name-Change or in person at a court location closest to where you live. If you don't know where your court is you can use the court locator to find your local court https://www.azcourts.gov/AZ-Courts/AZ-Courts-Locator.

    It is best to double check with your court’s staff if the forms are still relevant and up to date. For Maricopa County, this is the current website https://superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/llrc/civil-court-forms/. For Pima County, their law library can provide you with this information https://www.sc.pima.gov/default.aspx?tabid=60.

  2. Fill out the forms, which may ask for personal information like your contact information, birth, children, marital history, criminal history, etc.

  3. File the completed forms with your court and pay a filing fee.

  4. Inform any interested parties mentioned in the forms. For example, another parent of a minor child.

  5. Attend a hearing for the judicial officer to sign the court order with the name change and pay a fee for one or more certified copies of the order.

Following Up with Other Places
  1. To change your birth certificate, follow up with your relevant birth records office.
    For those born in Maricopa County, this is the current website https://azdhs.gov/licensing/vital-records/index.php#corrections-amendments-registrants-name. For those born in Pima County and 1996 or before that, also follow up with the Phoenix office; for those born in Pima County and 1997 to now, follow up with the Tucson office http://www.agave.cosc.pima.gov/home.asp?include=pages/name_changes.htm.

  2. To change your social security card, this is the current website with details https://faq.ssa.gov/en-us/Topic/article/KA-01981.

  3. To change your driver license, this is the current website with details https://azdot.gov/motor-vehicles/driver-services/driver-license-information/change-your-address-or-name. Since the Arizona Department of Transportation uses the Social Security computer system to check for your name change, you need to change your name with Social Security first and wait at least 2 days for the Social Security system to be updated. Only then can you change your driver license.

Contributing Attorney: Ke Huang-Isherwood is an attorney who is an independent legal and communication researcher.

Comments:

QUESTIONS

  • My daughter's father has been incarcerated since she was 5 months old . we get no help from him or his family. does he have to be informed and approve to change her name to my last name? he has a 25 to life sentence.
  • Do I still need the my ex's permission if I have sole custody? He has never even paid child support.My kids want their name changed too.
  • I would like to add my last name to my daughters birth certificate. They currently have fathers last name. I have sole custody of them and their father & I were never married. He's always been inconsistent with his visitation rights (in and out of their lives, Reason for change). Do I need a court order & his permission to add my last name to their birth certificate?
  • Hello, I got my name changed in Tucson years ago, but can't find the document proof! I've moved away from the area to another state. Is there a way I can get the proof of a name change paper mailed to me?
  • When I got my divorce I did not indicate that I would be taking back my maiden name. Shortly after, I just started using it. Thirty-two years later I am experiencing a problem with Social Security. I will be 62 next year and need to legally change my name so I will be able to collect my monthly Social Security. I was divorced in California but now reside in Arizona. My question is, will I need a Certified or Exemplified copy of my Divorce Decree? Or no copy at all?
  • I want to change Back to my maiden name. I am not legaly divorced. I have been seperated to 18 years and have no idea where my husband is. Can I file for a legal name change without being divorced?
  • When I was 5 my mom married a man who was not my father, we moved to Wisconsin, and when my mom registered me for school, she just used her married name for me. I am now having problems because my birth cert doesn't match- trying to get a license here in AZ, I am married and the marriage license has my name on it, I have not used the last name on my birth cert since I was 5. How can I change my last name permanently and legally. I am living in AZ now, again. Thank you
  • I got married, but my Marriage certificate still has my old name. Has my Name changed automaticly after marriage or do I have to do something to get the Last Name of my Husband?
  • How much is it to change fathers name on birth cert. I have a court order to change this I jus don't know how much it will cost
  • I have a 10 yr old son. His father's name isn't on birth certificate. He has not helped at all. I started to take him for child support but that fell through. I really don't want him involved in his life. He shows no concerns of my son's welfare. My question is can I change my son's last name (his father's)to mine without going through the courts in establishing him being his father? We were never married. His last contact with him was over 4 yrs ago. There is nothing that's been done through the courts. I also want my fiance to be able to adopt him (they want that too)

STORIES

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FIND LEGAL HELP

  • Please select your county of residence below.

    County:
     

OTHER LEGAL RESOURCES

  • State Bar of Arizona
    www.azbar.org
  • Maricopa County Bar
    www.maricopabar.org
    Referral number 602-257-4434
  • Pima County Bar
    www.pimacountybar.org
    Referral number 520-623-4625
  • National Domestic Violence Hotline
    800-799-7233
  • Bankruptcy Court Self Help Center
    866-553-0893
  • Certified Legal Document Preparer Program
    Link

ORGANIZATIONS

RELATED ARTICLES

How To Change Your Name

Where to Find an Attorney for Specific Legal Advice

LINKS

Birth Certificates - Arizona Office of Vital Records

Maricopa County Judicial Branch

Maricopa County Judicial Branch Self-Service Center Online

Arizona Supreme Court Programs Unit

Arizona 2-1-1

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