Name Change
Name Change at a Glance
The process for changing a name can be complicated, and it is somewhat different depending on whether the name being changed is for an adult, or a child (minor), although many of the same forms are used.
You can find more information about changing a name and/or gender for adults and minors on the tabs to your left.
After a court grants your request, there are numerous places you need to notify (such as social security, DMV, passport office, etc.), to update your legal documents. Below you will find more information to help with that step.
Assistance In-Person
Self-Help Services Hours of Operation
| Courthouse | Location | Clerk's Office Hours | Self-Help Services Hours | Self-Help Document Review Hours |
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700 Civic Center Drive West Santa Ana, CA 92701 |
Monday-Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. |
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 In-person Self-Help Monday-Thursday: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. |
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In-person Review Monday-Thursday: 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. |
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341 The City Drive South Orange, CA 92868-3205 |
Monday-Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. |
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In-person Self-Help Monday-Thursday: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. |
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In-person Review Monday-Thursday: 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. |
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3390 Harbor Blvd. Costa Mesa, CA 92626-1554 |
Monday-Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. |
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 Live Self-Help Kiosk Monday-Thursday: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. |
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Live Self-Help Kiosk Review Monday-Thursday: 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. |
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8141 13th Street Westminster, CA 92683 |
Monday-Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. |
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Live Self-Help Kiosk Monday-Thursday: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. |
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Live Self-Help Kiosk Review Monday-Thursday: 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. |
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1275 N Berkeley Ave Fullerton, CA 92832 |
Monday-Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. |
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Live Self-Help Kiosk Monday-Thursday: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. |
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Live Self-Help Kiosk Review Monday-Thursday: 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. |
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4601 Jamboree Rd Newport Beach, CA 92660 |
Monday-Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. |
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Live Self-Help Kiosk Monday-Thursday: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. |
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Live Self-Help Kiosk Review Monday-Thursday: 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. |
Where to File?
The following name/gender petitions must be filed with the Family Division at the Lamoreaux Justice Center in Orange:
- Any name change and/or gender change that involves a minor child.
- Any name change involving an adult who has or had a Family Law case in Orange County
- A Petition for name change and gender for an adult who has or had a Family Law case in Orange County.
You are also required to file the following local form with your petition in Family Court:
- Family Law Notice Re Related Case (L-1120).
All the forms you need to file your petition have been put together in our helpful form packets that can be found on the tab to your left under “Name Change for Adult” or “Name Change for a Minor.”
The following name change/gender change petitions should be filed with the Civil Division at the Central Justice Center:
- Any name change for an adult with no existing Family law case in Orange County, or
- A Petition For Recognition of Change of Gender and for Issuance of New Birth Certificate for all adults, whether or not a family law case exists
You are also required to file the following local form with your petition in Civil Court:
- Name Change Notice of Related Case (L-XXX).
All the forms you need to file your petition have been complied in our helpful form packets that can be found on the tab to your left under "Name Change for Adult."
Not sure where to file or what forms to file?
Staff at the Self-Help Centers, Family Division, and Civil Division can assist you with general information:
- Superior Court of Orange County Self-Help Centers
- Superior Court of Orange County Family Division
- Superior Court of Orange County Civil Division
Forms and Law
FORMS:
Forms are available on this website, at one of the Justice Centers listed below, or your nearest Self-Help Center.
IPlease visit “Name Change for Adults” or “Name Change for Minors” to determine what forms you will need, and the steps required to complete the process. To read more about court forms visit: The Basics of Court Forms.
LAWS:
Links of commonly used laws:
- Researching the Law
- California Rules of Court, Title 3-Civil Rules
- California Courts website
- California Civil Code
- Code of Civil Procedure
- Evidence Code
- Superior Court of Orange County Local Rules of Court
- Other California statutes
eFiling
At this time, only petitions filed at Central Justice Center can be filed electronically (eFiled). Please visit the eFiling tab for more information about how to eFile.
If you would like to eFile and need access to a computer, you may visit one of our Self-Help Centers, you can also find public computers at most libraries and the public law library.
Additional Resources
- Changing an Adult's Name-Divorce Related or Non Divorce Related (California Courts Website)
- Changing a Child's Name (California Courts Website)
- How to Apply to Change a Child’s Birth Certificate After a Court Order (California Department of Public Health)
- Changing Your Gender and Name (California Courts Website)