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Alabama Request to Change Name Form

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PS-12

8/08

Request to Change Name
(For An Adult)

Case Number: (the clerk fills this in)

In the Probate Court of (county): County, Alabama

Your current name:

first

middle

last

To ask the court to change your name, you must fill out this form, and:

  • Attach a certified copy of your birth certificate and a copy of your photo ID, and
  • File your form and attachments in the same county where you live.

I declare that the following information is true:

①

My current name is:

first

middle

last

②

My address is:

street

city

state

zip

③

My phone numbers are (home): (work):

④

My date of birth is (mm/dd/yyyy):

⑤

My name at birth was:

first

middle

last

⑥

I am an adult (19 or older), of sound mind, and live in (name of Alabama county):

⑦

The attached copy of my photo ID is my (check one):


⑧

I ask the court to change my name because (explain why you want to change your name):

⑨

I want my new name to be:

first

middle

last

⑩

I also declare:

  • I am not now facing criminal charges, nor am I involved in any other court case.
  • I have never been convicted of a criminal sex offense (as defined in Alabama Code § 15-20-21), a crime of moral turpitude, or a felony.
  • I am not asking to change my name to avoid paying my debts or to commit fraud.
  • I swear that all of the information I have provided above is complete and accurate.

I ask the court to grant this request and to issue an order changing my name.

Sign below in front of a notary:

Date:

Notary fills out below—

Sworn to and subscribed before me, the undersigned authority,

By (Print name of notary):

On this date:

(Notary's seal here)

Notary signs here

Date notary's commission expires

Rev. 8/08

© 2008 Alabama State Bar

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What the Alabama Request to Change Name Form Is

Alabama Request to Change Name Form is a state court filing used to ask an Alabama probate court to legally change a person's name. The petition establishes the applicant's current legal name, the requested new name, reasons for the change, and any required background information such as criminal history or notice to creditors. Filing typically begins with a completed petition, supporting identification, payment of statutory fees, and compliance with local probate court rules; the court may require publication or a hearing before issuing an order that updates vital records and legal identifiers.

Why a Properly Completed Petition Matters

Using the Alabama Request to Change Name Form creates a formal court record that enables updating state-issued IDs, Social Security records, and legal contracts. A properly completed petition clarifies identity, reduces downstream administrative friction, and documents the court's order needed for agencies and third parties.

Why a Properly Completed Petition Matters

Step-by-step: Complete and File the Petition

Follow these steps to complete and submit an Alabama Request to Change Name Form to the local probate court.

  • 01
    Complete Petition: Fill all fields accurately before signing.
  • 02
    Gather ID: Attach government ID and proof of residency.
  • 03
    Pay Fee: Include filing fee per county schedule.
  • 04
    File with Court: Submit to probate clerk and obtain receipt.

How to configure an online workflow for the petition

Configure an online workflow to prefill fields, collect signatures, and route the petition to the probate clerk or attorney for review.

Field name and configuration setting Field mapping | validation rules | required flag
Prefill and conditional field logic Automatically populate known data and show fields conditionally.
Signer authentication and identity verification Use email link, SMS code, or stronger KBA for high assurance.
Automated notifications, reminders, and receipts Configure recipient emails on signature events and filing confirmations.
Archival and access control settings Store final PDF with audit trail and restricted access roles.

Typical filing route from petition to certified order

Typical routing for the completed Alabama Request to Change Name Form moves from petitioner to probate clerk, then to publication or hearing, and finally to the court order.

  • Submit Petition: File at county probate clerk's office or by permitted electronic filing.
  • Pay Fees: Pay filing and docket fees per local schedule.
  • Publication: Publish notice if required by local rule or court order.
  • Court Order: Attend hearing if ordered; obtain certified order for agencies.

Digital submission and signature requirements

Digital submission and eSignature require compatible file formats, secure authentication, and retention of the signed record for court review.

  • File Formats: PDF or Word DOCX accepted
  • Authentication: Email, SMS, or KBA options
  • Audit Trail: Timestamp, IP, and action log

eSignature vendor comparison for name-change filings

Basic vendor comparison for eSignature choices often used to sign and submit name-change petitions and supporting affidavits.

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 7-day free trial Varies by vendor Varies by vendor Varies by vendor Varies by vendor
Bulk Send Yes Varies by vendor Varies by vendor Varies by vendor Varies by vendor
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No
Envelope Cap No envelope cap 100 envelopes/user/year Varies Varies Varies

Common timing items to track during the process

Local probate rules set deadlines for filing, publication, and hearings; timelines vary by county and may include statutory publication periods.

Filing Deadline:

No universal deadline; file when ready per county rules.

Publication Period:

If required, publication typically runs for 3 consecutive weeks.

Hearing Notice:

Court may schedule hearing weeks after filing based on docket.

Order Issued:

Judge issues decree after hearing or on default order.

Record Update:

Use certified decree to change IDs and agency records.

Common mistakes that delay a name-change petition

  • Incomplete petitions lacking required personal identifiers or signatures cause delays and often require re-filing; carefully confirm fields match government ID and local probate forms.
  • Failing to disclose criminal convictions or pending charges when required can result in denial, court sanctions, or extended judicial review; consult local rules before omitting.
  • Using an incorrect county caption or wrong court deprives the filing of jurisdictional validity and may force a new filing and additional fees to correct venue errors.
  • Publishing notice improperly or missing publication deadlines negates statutory notice requirements and can delay issuance of the final order or prompt additional notices.

Risks and consequences of mistakes

Denial: Court may deny petition
Additional Fees: Refiling costs and new filing fees
Delay: Processing and publication delays
Record Mismatch: Agencies reject mismatched documentation
Legal Risk: Undisclosed convictions may affect outcome
Privacy Exposure: Personal data exposed in public notices

Essential sections to include on a professional petition

Core elements of a professional Alabama Request to Change Name Form ensure court acceptance and accurate downstream record updates.

Caption

Court caption identifies the county, court, case number, and party names exactly as required by local probate rules; incorrect captions may result in rejection or delay and require refiling under the correct court heading.

Petitioner Info

Enter the petitioner's full legal name, date of birth, current address, and contact information as shown on government ID; discrepancies can affect identity verification and service of process.

Requested Name

Provide the exact new name requested, with capitalization and punctuation; indicate middle names or suffix changes and include any aliases or previous legal names for clarity.

Reason

State the reason for the change briefly (marriage, divorce, gender transition, personal preference); certain grounds, such as fraud or evasion, may require additional documentation or court scrutiny.

Background

Disclose any criminal convictions or pending charges when required by local rule; failure to disclose can lead to denial and may affect sealing or publication requirements.

Signature

The petitioner must sign and date the form in ink or via allowed electronic signature; include notarization or witness blocks as required by the probate court or state law.

Required information typically included on the form

Full Name: Current and requested full legal name
Date of Birth: Use MM/DD/YYYY format
Address: Street, city, state, ZIP
Reason: Brief explanation for name change
Criminal history: Disclose convictions or pending charges
Notarization: Notary or witness per court rule

Who signs and files the petition

Petitioner

A petitioner files the petition and provides identification, supporting statements, and any required disclosures. Self-represented filers must follow county probate rules for signatures, publication, and hearings; missing procedural steps can prolong the process or require court-imposed corrections.

Attorney

An attorney prepares pleadings, ensures compliance with local practice, and can request waivers or expedited handling where allowed. Counsel advises on disclosures, publication alternatives, and representation at hearings to reduce the risk of denial or procedural error.

Representative examples showing typical outcomes

Real-world examples show how petition content, publication, and local rules affect processing and final orders across different counties.

Minor Change

A parent filed an Alabama Request to Change Name Form to give a child a step-parent's surname after finalizing adoption proceedings in juvenile court.

  • Court approved after background check.
  • The petitioner provided certified adoption decree, birth certificate, and proof of parentage; the probate court ordered publication per county rule and issued a certified decree used to update social security and the child's school records without further delay.

Adult Change

An adult petitioner sought a gender-affirming name change and completed the required petition, including a sworn statement and criminal history disclosure where requested by local rule.

  • Judge scheduled a brief hearing.
  • Following the hearing the court issued an order; the petitioner used the certified order to update state ID and Social Security, and to notify employers and professional licensing boards of the legal name change.

Practical tips to reduce processing time and errors

Follow these practical tips to reduce processing time, avoid rejections, and ensure the court can issue an enforceable order.

Verify identification and exact name spellings
Compare the petition name fields to government-issued ID and Social Security records before filing; even small differences in hyphens, initials, or suffixes can cause agencies to reject updates and prolong administrative processing.
Attach certified supporting documents where required
Whenever possible include certified copies of birth certificates, marriage licenses, or adoption decrees; certified documents streamline verification, reduce requests for additional evidence, and may satisfy publication or proof requirements in many probate courts.
Meet publication and service requirements
Confirm whether your county requires public notice and follow exact format and timing; improper publication can void statutory notice and delay issuance of the final decree, possibly requiring re-publication and extra fees.
Use ESIGN-compliant signing when allowed
If the court accepts electronic filings and signatures, use an ESIGN- and UETA-compliant platform to collect authenticated signatures, retain the audit trail, and produce certified PDFs that meet probate clerk requirements for electronic submission.

How a name-change petition compares to other documents

Compare common documents people use to change names and how each affects legal status and record updates.

Document Type Name Change Petition Marriage/Divorce Record
Purpose court order required evidence for agencies
Legal Weight highest agency verification use
Typical Use update ids update vital records
Requires Court

Frequently asked questions about the form and filing process

Frequently asked questions about completing, filing, and digitally signing the Alabama Request to Change Name Form.


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