Can I e-sign the petition?

Electronic signatures are generally valid under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA where adopted, provided the signer shows intent, consents to electronic transactions, the signature is attributable, and the record can be retained. Check local court rules for any in-person requirements.

Is notarization always required?

Notarization requirements vary by state and county; many courts require a notarized verification or affidavit, while some accept verified unsworn statements. Confirm with the local clerk before filing to avoid rejection.

What supporting documents are needed?

Commonly required documents include a certified birth certificate, government ID, proof of residency, and criminal history disclosures if the jurisdiction requires background checks. Local rules list specific acceptable documents.

Do I need to publish notice publicly?

Some states or counties require publication or public notice for a set period; others allow alternative notice methods. Failure to complete required notice can delay or invalidate proceedings.

How do I update federal IDs after decree?

Use the certified court decree to update Social Security, passport, and DMV records. Each agency has its own form and evidence requirements; maintain certified copies and follow agency instructions.

What if someone objects to my petition?

Objections typically result in additional hearings and require the petitioner to present evidence addressing the objection. Consult a local attorney to prepare for contested hearings and to understand the burden of proof.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Other
Petition for Change of Name

Petition for Change of Name

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

PETITION FOR CHANGE OF NAME (ADULT)

STATE OF MAINE

PROBATE COURT

CN-1

Location of Court

DOCKET

PETITION FOR CHANGE OF NAME

(ADULT) 18A M.R.S.A. 1-701

In Re: SS.

RESPECTFULLY REPRESENTS, of

in said County, that (s)he has heretofore been known by the name of

and that (s)he desires to change name to for the following reasons:

I understand that a change of name is not a substitute for an adoption and does not grant parental rights and responsibilities to any person who is not already a legal parent of the person whose name is being changed. A change of name does not affect rights of inheritance.

WHEREFORE, prays that h name may be changed in accordance with the above expressed desire.

Dated .

Signature, Using Current Legal Name

Attorney (If petitioner(s) is/are represented by an attorney, said attorney must also sign petition pursuant to Rule 11.)

I hereby certify that in the preparation of this document, no alteration has been made to the official form as most recently approved and promulgated by the Supreme Judicial Court. I also certify that I have met the standards under M.R. Prob. P84 (b).

Signed

Dated:

What the Petition for Change of Name Is and when it’s used

A Petition for Change of Name is a formal court filing that requests a judicial order to legally change a person’s name. The petition identifies the petitioner, current legal name, desired new name, and reasons for the request, and it initiates required court procedures such as background checks, notice or publication, and a hearing. Courts issue final name-change decrees that permit updating identity documents, records, and public registries. The same petition form is used for adult petitioners and, with additional parental or guardian signatures, for minors.

Why filing a Petition for Change of Name matters

A granted petition creates a court order authorizing a legal name change and enables downstream updates to government IDs, bank accounts, and professional records. Use it to resolve inconsistencies, reflect gender or marital status changes, or correct transcription errors. Electronic filing and e-signatures are generally recognized under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA where adopted, but exceptions such as court orders and certain family-law matters may still require in-person or statutory procedures.

Who typically files a Petition for Change of Name

Individuals, guardians, and legal representatives commonly use this petition to request a court-ordered name change.

The petitioner’s precise status (adult, minor, incapacitated) determines required signatures, supporting documents, and whether a guardian or attorney must sign.

Primary signers and representatives

Primary Petitioner

Person requesting the name change. Must provide identity documents, residency proof, and sign the petition under penalty of perjury; adult petitioners sign directly, minors require guardian signature and supporting evidence.

Legal Representative

Attorney or guardian ad litem when appointed. Signs where authorized, prepares filings for court, and may attend the hearing on behalf of the petitioner when permitted by local rules.

What a complete, professional petition includes

A well-prepared petition organizes required facts, attaches supporting documents, and anticipates court procedural steps to reduce delays and objections.

Court Caption

Case caption, court name, county, and filing party details placed at the top to ensure correct routing and recordkeeping with the clerk.

Petitioner Data

Full legal name, date of birth, address, and residency statement demonstrating the petitioner meets local venue requirements.

Name Change Request

Clear statement of current name and the exact new name requested, including middle names and suffixes for unambiguous identity updates.

Reason and Eligibility

Concise factual statement of reason for change and affirmation that the request is not for fraud, evasion, or to avoid debts or judgments.

Supporting Documents

Attach certified birth certificate, photo ID, background documentation, and any required criminal history disclosures or fingerprint receipts.

Signature and Verification

Signed declaration under penalty of perjury; notary acknowledgement or signature authentication as required by the jurisdiction.

Required fields commonly found on the petition

Full legal name: Enter as on government ID

Date of birth: Use MM/DD/YYYY format

Current address: Street, city, state, ZIP

Desired new name: Exact spelling required

Reason for change: Brief factual statement

Signature block: Signed and dated by petitioner

Step-by-step: completing and filing the petition

Follow this sequence to prepare, submit, and finalize a name-change petition with minimal administrative delay.

01

Prepare documents: Gather ID, birth certificate, and any court-ordered documents.
02

Complete petition: Fill each field exactly and sign where required.
03

File with clerk: Submit to the appropriate county clerk or court office.
04

Attend hearing: Appear at scheduled hearing and obtain decree if granted.

Where the petition goes and what happens next

After filing, the clerk assigns a case number, the court sets a hearing, and the petitioner completes required notice or publication steps before a judge rules.

File with clerk: Deliver petition to the county or municipal court clerk for your residence.
Notice or publish: Complete any required public notice, publication, or service per local rules.
Hearing scheduled: Court schedules hearing to review petition and supporting evidence.
Decree issued: Judge signs decree if the petition meets statutory requirements.

Configuring an online filing workflow

A digital workflow reduces manual steps—map fields, authentication, and routing before e-submission to the clerk or attorney.

Field	Configuration
Petitioner name field	Auto-validate against ID upload
Signature field	Require signer authentication and date
Supporting docs	Attach PDFs, require PDF/A where needed
Routing	Send copies to petitioner, attorney, and clerk

Digital filing and integration considerations

Verify the e-sign and file-transfer capabilities you need before digitizing petitions.

Authentication: Email + SMS or stronger KBA as required
Document formats: PDF and DOCX accepted by most clerks
Integrations: Connectors for Salesforce, NetSuite, and Google Workspace

Ensure the platform supports audit trails, tamper-evident PDFs, and secure storage to align with court record and privacy expectations.

Common timeline elements and typical waiting periods

Processing times and required waiting periods vary by state and county; expect filings and notices to define specific deadlines.

Filing to hearing:

Typically 30–90 days depending on court calendar

Publication period:

Often two to four consecutive weeks when required

Objection window:

Third-party objections are limited by local statute

Final decree issuance:

Judge issues decree at or after hearing

Record updates:

Update IDs and records after receiving certified decree

Consequences of an incorrect or incomplete petition

Filing Denial: Clerk may reject incomplete petitions

Hearing Delays: Missing info delays scheduling

Objections: Third-party objections can prolong or defeat relief

Record Mismatch: Inconsistent names create downstream updating problems

Financial Risk: Mismatch can trigger tax or banking complications

Fraud Allegations: False statements risk perjury charges

Common mistakes to avoid when preparing the petition

Submitting mismatched identity documents or inconsistent spellings, which lead to administrative rejection or requests for amendment and prolong processing.
Failing to complete notice or publication steps where required by local rules, which can result in dismissal or rescheduling of the hearing.
Using ambiguous language for the requested new name or failing to include suffixes, which complicates updates to government and financial records.
Omitting required background checks, fingerprint receipts, or criminal history disclosures that courts or clerks mandate in certain jurisdictions.

Key milestones from filing to final decree

Track these sequential milestones to anticipate court deadlines and required administrative steps.

01

File Petition

Clerk assigns case number and begins processing

02

Publish Notice

Complete any required publication or service steps

03

Attend Hearing

Court reviews petition and any objections

04

Receive Decree

Judge signs decree enabling record updates

Representative examples of typical petitions

These two examples show how petitions address different scenarios and required follow-up steps.

Adult name change

A petitioner corrects a misspelled surname on official records

Petition attaches birth certificate and ID
Judge grants decree after a routine hearing; petitioner then updates passport, Social Security record, and bank accounts with certified decree copies and ID.

Minor name change

Parents petition to change a minor’s last name after adoption

Both parents provide consent and proof of authority
Court requires notice or publication, reviews parental fitness, and issues decree that schools and medical providers accept to update records.

eSignature vendor comparison for completing and signing petitions

Common vendor features and starting prices for electronic signature platforms. signNow appears first for reference; consult each vendor for plan details that match your volume and compliance needs.

	signNow	DocuSign	Adobe Sign	PandaDoc	HelloSign
Starting Price	$8/user/mo	$15/user/mo	$14/user/mo	$19/user/mo	$15/user/mo
Free Trial	Yes, 7-day free trial	Varies	Varies	Varies	Varies
Bulk Send	Yes (plan-dependant)	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No

Tips for accurate, efficient petition preparation

Follow these practical checks to minimize rejections and speed court processing.

Verify identity documents

Confirm ID name spellings, birth certificate data, and passport details before filing to avoid inconsistent records and requests for correction.

Meet local rules

Consult the county clerk’s filing checklist and publication requirements to ensure you complete notices and pay correct fees upfront.

Use certified copies

Attach certified copies of vital records when required rather than photocopies; uncertified copies commonly cause delays.

Retain certified decree

Keep multiple certified copies of the court decree for agencies that require court-certified originals when updating IDs, titles, and financial accounts.

Frequently asked questions about petitions and electronic filing

Answers to common questions about form completion, service, notarization, and e-signature validity for name-change petitions.

Need help? Contact support

Can I e-sign the petition?
Electronic signatures are generally valid under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA where adopted, provided the signer shows intent, consents to electronic transactions, the signature is attributable, and the record can be retained. Check local court rules for any in-person requirements.
Is notarization always required?
Notarization requirements vary by state and county; many courts require a notarized verification or affidavit, while some accept verified unsworn statements. Confirm with the local clerk before filing to avoid rejection.
What supporting documents are needed?
Commonly required documents include a certified birth certificate, government ID, proof of residency, and criminal history disclosures if the jurisdiction requires background checks. Local rules list specific acceptable documents.
Do I need to publish notice publicly?
Some states or counties require publication or public notice for a set period; others allow alternative notice methods. Failure to complete required notice can delay or invalidate proceedings.
How do I update federal IDs after decree?
Use the certified court decree to update Social Security, passport, and DMV records. Each agency has its own form and evidence requirements; maintain certified copies and follow agency instructions.
What if someone objects to my petition?
Objections typically result in additional hearings and require the petitioner to present evidence addressing the objection. Consult a local attorney to prepare for contested hearings and to understand the burden of proof.

Explore Templates

Complaint on Appeal Municipal Ordinance Cases Alabama Statement of Claim Order of Probation Motion for Change of Place of Trial Order of Probation Alabama Alabama Rules of Criminal Procedure Appendix of Forms

be ready to get more

Join over 28 million airSlate SignNow users

Sign Now