NAME CHANGE - ADULT

This packet contains forms and instructions for the

name change of an adult.

It is advisable to have an attorney when filing legal papers to be sure that your rights
are protected and that all the procedures are correctly followed. Courthouse
personnel are prohibited by state law O.C.G.A. ' 15-19-51 from giving legal
advice. Different situations may require special procedures and courthouse personnel
cannot advise you on how to proceed or what forms may be necessary in specific
situations.
HOW TO CHANGE THE NAME OF AN ADULT IN
FULTON COUNTY

Name changes are governed by O.C.G.A. §19-12-1. There are two sets of forms available for name
changes. One set is for adults (i.e., 18 years old or older) who want to change their own name (NAME
CHANGE OF ADULT). The other set is for people who want to change the name of a minor child(ren)
(NAME CHANGE OF A MINOR CHILD OR CHILDREN). Decide which set of forms you need to use and
follow the instructions accordingly. THIS SET OF FORMS IS FOR A NAME CHANGE OF AN ADULT.

*STEP 1: Fill out the Petition to Change Name (of an Adult)

*STEP 2: Fill out the Verification form
*STEP 3: Fill out the Notice of Petition to Change Name form
*STEP 4: Make a copy of each of the forms
*STEP 5: File the forms you just filled out
*STEP 6: Publish Notice
*STEP 7: Obtain your Final Decree
*STEP 8: File the Final Decree, and obtain a certified copy of it
*STEP 9: Change Birth Certificate and notify creditors and others

STEP 1 Fill out the Petition to Change Name (of an Adult):

A. Print or type your current name next to the word, “Petitioner:.” You should
not fill in the blank next to “Civil Action File No:” because the clerk will assign
your case a number when you file the Petition, and the clerk will fill that
number in for you. This top part of the form is called the “style” of the case.
B. Paragraph 1: Print or type your current, full name, your residential
address, the county and state of your residence, and the date and place of your
birth where indicated.
C. Paragraph 2: Print or type the name that you want your current name to
be changed to.
D. Paragraph 3: Explain why you want to change your name where indicated.
E. Paragraph 5: Print or type the date when you filled out the form and sign
your
name.

STEP 2 Fill out the Verification form to go with the Petition:

A. Print or type your current name next to the word “Petitioner”.
B. Next to the number [1], print or type your current name.
C. Where it says: This _______ day of_______ , _____, fill in the date, month and
year where indicated.
D. Next to the number [2], sign your name. Then print or type your name on the
following line, and fill in your address and telephone number.
E. You will need to have a notary notarize the verification form for you.

Instructions How to Change the Name of an Adult Page 1 of 3

© 2006 Fulton County Superior Court Family Division

STEP 3 Fill out the Notice of Petition to Change Name form as follows:
A. Print or type your current name next to the word “Petitioner”.
B. Next to the number [1], print or type your current name.
C. Next to the number [2], print or type the date that you filed the Petition.
D. Next to the number [3], print or type the month and year that you filed the
Petition.
E. Next to the number [4], print or type your current name.
F. Next to the number [5], print or type your new name (the name that you want the
court to change your name to).
G. Next to the number [6], print or type the date that you are signing this document
(it may be the same date that you file it).
H. Next to number [7], print or type the month and year that you are signing this
document.
I. Then sign your name and print or type your name, address, and telephone
number.

STEP 4 Make one copy of each of the forms. You will keep the copies for your records
and bring them to court with you when you come to get your final decree.

STEP 5 File the forms you just filled out. To begin the process, the Petition, the
Verification, and the Notice of Petition to Change Name forms must be filed in
the Clerk’s Office in the county of the Petitioner’s residence (which should be
Fulton County if you are using our forms). If you are not a resident of Fulton
County, then these instructions may not apply to you, and you should seek further
information about filing for a name change in the county of your residence. The
filing fee is $82.50.

STEP 6 Publishing Notice: This notice (Notice of Petition to Change Name form) must
be published once a week for four weeks in the Fulton County Daily Report. The
charge for publication of this notice is $80.00. Be sure to include your name and
address so that the Fulton County Daily Report can mail you proof that the notice
was published.

STEP 7 Obtain your Final Decree. Thirty (30) days after the Petition is filed, and after
the notice has been published once a week for four weeks, you can go to court to
ask the court to enter a decree of name change. When you get to court, find out
the name of the presiding judge and go to that judge’s chambers. You must bring
with you the following documents:
> your original Petition and a copy of all the other forms. You may obtain
your original Petition and file from the Clerk’s Office.
> proof that the notice was published
> the Final Decree Changing the Name of an Adult form for the judge to
sign. You should first fill it out by printing or typing your name next to
“Petitioner”. Then next to number [1], print or type your current name,
and next to number [2], print or type your new name. DO NOT FILL
OUT THE REST. THE JUDGE WILL DO IT FOR YOU.

Instructions How to Change the Name of an Adult Page 2 of 3

© 2006 Fulton County Superior Court Family Division

Tell the judge’s secretary that you are there for a name change. When you go into the judge’s
chambers, the judge will have you swear to the truth of what you will say, then tell the judge the
following:
> your name
> your county of residence
> that you are asking the judge to grant a name change
> what your birth date is and that you are 18 years old or older
> that you want to change your name from the old name to the new name and
what are those names
> the reason you want to change your name
> that you are not changing your name with the intent to defraud any one

Then ask the judge to sign the form decree for you.

STEP 8 File the Final Decree. Take the decree to the Clerk’s Office and ask for a
certified copy of it. You will have to pay a small fee in the Clerk’s Office to
obtain a certified copy. This is proof that your name has officially changed.

STEP 9 Changing your birth certificate. If you wish to have your birth certificate
amended to reflect your name change, you must provide a certified copy of the
Decree to the Department of Vital Records. You may also want to notify your
creditors (for example, your landlord, credit card companies, your bank, Social
Security, etc.) of your name change so that there will be no confusion at a later
time.

Instructions How to Change the Name of an Adult Page 3 of 3

© 2006 Fulton County Superior Court Family Division

 IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF FULTON COUNTY
STATE OF GEORGIA
FAMILY DIVISION
In re the Name Change of:

Petitioner: Civil Action File No:

PETITION TO CHANGE NAME OF AN ADULT

Petitioner files this Petition to Change Name and Shows the following:

1. The following is the personal information about the Petitioner:

Your current, full name: __________________________________________________________

Your residential address: _________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

Your telephone number: __________________________________________________________

County and state of residence: _____________________________________________________

Date of birth (Petitioner must be at least 18 years old): ___________________________________

Place of birth: __________________________________________________________________

2. What do you want your name changed to?

I want my name changed to: _______________________________________________________

3. The reasons for the name change.

Explain why you want to change your name: ___________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

4. This Petition is not submitted with the intention of defrauding another of any rights.

5. Today’s Date: ___________________________________________

Signature: ______________________________________________

Petition to Change the Name of an Adult - rev. 4/2009

©2009 Fulton County Superior Court Family Division
 IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF FULTON COUNTY
STATE OF GEORGIA
FAMILY DIVISION

Civil Action File No:

Petitioner:

VERIFICATION

I, [1]_________________________, personally appeared before the undersigned Notary Public, and say
under oath that I am the Petitioner in the above-styled action and that the facts stated in the Petition to
Change Name (of an Adult) are true and correct.

This the ____________________ day of _____________________, _____.

[date] [month] [year]

[2]__________________________________________
(Sign your name here in front of the Notary)
Petitioner=s name (print or type ): __________________
Petitioner=s address:____________________________
____________________________________________
Petitioner=s telephone number: ( )

Sworn to and subscribed before me, this

_____ day of _______________, ______.

NOTARY PUBLIC
My Commission Expires:
(Notary Seal)

If you require materials in alternate format, please notify the Family Law Information Center as soon as possible.

Verification-rev. 9/99 Page 1 of 1

8 1999 Fulton County Superior Court Family Division
 IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF FULTON COUNTY
STATE OF GEORGIA
FAMILY DIVISION

Civil Action File No:

Petitioner:

NOTICE OF PETITION TO CHANGE NAME

Notice is hereby given that [1]_________________________________, the undersigned, filed his/her

petition to the Superior Court of Fulton County, Georgia, on the [2]_____________________ day of
[3]________________, _____, praying for change in the name of petitioner from
[4]___________________ to [5]_____________________.

Notice is hereby given pursuant to law to any interested or affected party to appear in said Court and to file
objections to such name change. Objections must be filed with said Court within 30 days of the filing of said
petition.

This [6]____________________ day of [7]_____________________, _____.

____________________________________________
Signature
Petitioner=s name (print or type): __________________
Petitioner=s address: ___________________________
____________________________________________
Petitioner=s telephone number: ( )

Comment: The notice must be published in the Fulton County Daily Report once a week for four weeks. The time limit for
filing objections can vary. See O.C.G.A. ' 19-12-1. If you cannot afford the filing and publishing fee, you may be able to have
it waived if you file a poverty affidavit that is accepted by the court. See Form 1040.

If you require materials in alternate format, please notify the Family Law Information Center as soon as possible.

Notice of Petition to Change Name-rev. 9/99 Page 1 of 1

8 1999 Fulton County Superior Court Family Division
 IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF FULTON COUNTY
STATE OF GEORGIA
FAMILY DIVISION

Civil Action File No:

Petitioner:

FINAL DECREE CHANGING THE NAME OF AN ADULT

The above and foregoing Petition to Change Name coming on to be heard pursuant to law, and it
appearing that notice has been published pursuant to law and that no objections have been timely filed, and
it further appearing that sufficient grounds exist for the granting of the relief prayed for in said Petition and
that no reason appears showing why said prayers should not be granted, IT IS HEREBY DECREED

(a) That the name of the Petitioner, [1] ____________________________________________________,

(b) shall be changed to [2]____________________________________________________________, and

(c) That such name change shall not operate to authorize petitioner to fraudulently deprive another of any
legal rights under the law.

S O O RDERED, this the _________ day of _______________________________________, ___________.

Judge
Superior Court
Fulton County, Georgia

Final Decree Changing the Name of an Adult-rev. 4/2009 Page 1 of 1

2009 Fulton County Superior Court Family Division