Establishing secure connection…Loading editor…Preparing document…

Texas Adult Name Change Packet

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

STATE OF TEXAS NAME CHANGE ADULT PACKET

Prepared by U.S. Legal Forms, Inc.

Copyright 2016 - U.S. Legal Forms, Inc.

Control Number – TX-9900

This packet contains the following:

1. Instructions;

2. Forms List; and

3. Access to Texas Law Summary.

I. EXPLANATION OF PETITION FOR CHANGE OF NAME

A. In Texas, an action for a court ordered Change of Name begins with the filing of a Petition in the District Court. The Petition must contain certain information. The forms in this packet include the necessary information for an Adult Name Change in the State of Texas.

B. You can use this packet if:

► You are at least 18 years of age and a resident of the county in which you will file.

► You have proper and reasonable cause for the requested change of name.

► You are not changing your name to avoid debts or defraud creditors.

II. WHAT FORMS ARE INCLUDED

A. Civil Case Information Sheet – (TX-CS-078A) – Mandatory cover sheet required to be filed with the initial filing of the Petition. Instructions are included with the cover sheet.

B. Original Petition for Change of Name of Adult – (TX-NC-100) This document states the reasons and other required details for your name change.

C. Order Granting Change of Name of Adult – (TX-NC-101) This is the final statement of the legalities and terms of your name change. Once this form is signed by the Judge and filed with the court, the name change is effective.

D. Order for Hearing – (TX-NC-102) This document sets the matter for hearing.

E. Information Sheet from the Texas Department of Safety regarding the process for obtaining and completing the FBI fingerprint card. - (TX-NC-103) – please read carefully.

FBI Fingerprint Card - NOT INCLUDED BUT MANDATORY – A completed “fingerprint card” in a format acceptable to the Texas Department of Safety and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This form is generally available at the criminal court in the county in which the Petitioner resides. You can be fingerprinted at most local law enforcement offices or the local DPS office. Generally, if you call and inquire they will tell you the procedure for being fingerprinted. It is not an uncommon procedure today and is generally required for all the licensed professions.

III. PROCEDURE FOR CHANGE OF NAME (ADULT) FOR THE STATE OF TEXAS

A. Preliminary Note:

1. The attached forms may be completed by:

a. Printing the forms and completing by hand. Use black ink and print neatly.

b. Printing the forms and completing using a typewriter.

c. By completing the forms on your computer using a word processing program and then printing the forms.

2. Use complete names and not initials. Check your spelling carefully, a misspelled word can delay your name change.

3. Print three (3) complete sets of forms.

4. All forms with a heading – the name of the court, the Petitioner’s name, the case number, and the name of the document – require that the heading be completed. You will need to add the name of the court and the full name of the Petitioner. The “Case No.” will be assigned by the court clerk at the time of filing.

5. Forms that require your signature and include a notary block MUST be signed in the presence of the notary or court clerk who will complete the acknowledgement. Use your complete name – first name, middle name, and last name.

6. When a form is filed with the court, request the clerk “file-stamp” one copy of the form for your file.

7. A Law Summary is available and can be printed for your State. To do so, go to the end of this package and select the Law Summary link under the form title and print. Review the summary before you being the process.

B. Procedure

Step 1: Complete all the forms using complete names – middle names instead of middle initials.

Step 2: File the Petition in the District Court in the county in which you reside and pay the appropriate filing fee and fingerprinting fee.

Step 3: After filing the Clerk will advise you how a hearing will be set and if publication of any notice is required. Follow the directions of the Clerk.

Step 4: Appear as directed by the Clerk and present the Order to Change Name to the Court. At the hearing, any persons objecting to the requested Name Change will be heard by the Court; and the Court may examine, upon oath, the Petitioner(s) or other persons concerning the Petition. After the Order is signed, a person whose name is changed may apply to the clerk of the court ordering the name change for a change of name certificate. A certificate of name change constitutes proof of the change of name of the person named in the certificate.

Step 5: You can obtain a certified copy of the Order from the Clerk after it has been signed by the Judge. Also after the Order is signed, a person whose name is changed may apply to the clerk of the court ordering the name change for a change of name certificate. A certificate of name change constitutes proof of the change of name of the person named in the certificate.

You are now ready to notify appropriate persons and governmental agencies of the change.

NOTE ABOUT COMPLETING THE FORMS

The forms in this packet contain “form fields” created using Microsoft Word. “Form fields” facilitate completion of the forms using your computer. They do not limit you ability to print the form “in blank” and complete with a typewriter or by hand.

If you do not see the gray shaded form fields, go the View menu, click on Toolbars, and then select Forms. This will open the forms toolbar. Look for the button on the forms toolbar that resembles a shaded letter “a”. Click in this button and the form fields will be visible.

The forms are locked which means that the content of the forms cannot be changed. You can only fill in the information in the fields.

If you need to make any changes in the body of the form, it is necessary for you “unlock” or “unprotect” the form. IF YOU INTEND TO MAKE CHANGES TO THE CONTENT, DO SO BEFORE YOU BEGIN TO FILL IN THE FIELDS. IF YOU UNLOCK THE DOCUMENT AFTER YOU HAVE BEGUN TO COMPLETE THE FIELDS, WHEN YOU RELOCK, ALL INFORMATION YOU ENTERED WILL BE LOST. To unlock click on “Tools” in the Menu bar and then selecting “unprotect document”. You may then be prompted to enter a password. If so, the password is “uslf”. That is uslf in lower case letters without the quotation marks. After you make the changes relock the document before you being to complete the fields.

After any required changes and re-protecting the document, click on the first form field and enter the required information. You will be able to navigate through the document from form field to form field using your tab key. Tab to a form field and insert your data. If problems, please let us know.

LAW SUMMARY

The law summary file for this package can be located at the following address:

http://www.uslegalforms.com/tx/TX-9900.htm

DISCLAIMER

These materials were developed by U.S. Legal Forms, Inc. based upon statutes and forms for the State of Texas. All Information and Forms are subject to this Disclaimer: All forms in this package are provided without any warranty, express or implied, as to their legal effect and completeness. Please use at your own risk. If you have a serious legal problem we suggest that you consult an attorney. U.S. Legal Forms, Inc. does not provide legal advice. The products offered by U.S. Legal Forms (USLF) are not a substitute for the advice of an attorney.

THESE MATERIALS ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTY OF ANY KIND INCLUDING WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, NONINFRINGEMENT OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, OR FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL U. S. LEGAL FORMS, INC. OR ITS AGENTS OR OFFICERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF PROFITS, BUSINESS INTERRUPTION, LOSS OF INFORMATION) ARISING OUT OF THE USE OF OR INABILITY TO USE THE MATERIALS, EVEN IF U.S. LEGAL FORMS, INC. HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

Petitioner Name:

Date:

Address:

Phone Number:

Signature:

Notary Acknowledgment:

Enter text✕
Prepare your document for signing right on this page
  • 01 Edit the text and complete the fields
  • 02 Click Sign Now and on the next screen add recipients and signature fields in SignNow
  • 03 Start your free trial to sign and send your doc
Sign Now

What the Texas Adult Name Change Packet Is

The Texas Adult Name Change Packet is a set of documents used to request a legal change of name for an adult in Texas. Typical contents include a petition for change of name, a proposed order for the judge, a civil information form required by the court, and any county-specific cover sheets or fee affidavits. The packet organizes the filings a petitioner submits to the county or district clerk, summarizes required supporting documents, and provides space for signatures and notarizations when needed. It helps standardize the submission so clerks and judges can process the request efficiently.

Why this Packet Matters and Its Legal Basis

A complete packet reduces process delays and supports a clear judicial record for a name change. Electronic delivery and properly executed signatures preserve intent and attribution under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (UETA) where applicable.

Why this Packet Matters and Its Legal Basis

Who Typically Prepares or Signs This Packet

Individuals petitioning for a legal name change, their attorneys, and court clerks commonly prepare or review the packet.

  • Self-represented petitioners preparing the forms and supporting documents
  • Attorneys verifying legal eligibility and drafting petitions
  • Court clerks checking completeness and processing filings

Stepwise Process to Complete and File the Packet

Use this sequential checklist to prepare, sign, and submit a Texas adult name change packet.

  • 01
    Prepare Petition: Complete the petition form with accurate personal details.
  • 02
    Gather Support: Attach required IDs, proof of residency, and any background documentation.
  • 03
    Sign and Notarize: Sign in the presence of a notary or as required by your county.
  • 04
    File with Court: Submit packet to the county or district clerk and pay filing fees.

Where to File and What Happens Next

The packet follows a typical routing path after completion.

  • Clerk’s Office: File the petition with the county or district clerk handling name changes.
  • Case Assignment: The court assigns a cause number and schedules any required hearing.
  • Judge’s Review: A judge reviews the petition and supporting materials, and may hold a hearing.
  • Order Issued: If granted, the court signs an order and the clerk issues certified copies.

How to Configure an Online Packet Workflow

Configure electronic fields, signer roles, and routing to mirror the paper packet for smooth eSubmission.

Field Configuration
Name Fields Use separate required fields for current and requested names
Date Fields Set MM/DD/YYYY format and enforce validation
Signer Roles Petitioner = primary signer; clerk = recipient
Delivery Route signed packet to petitioner and clerk with PDF/A copy

Digital Signing and eSubmission Requirements

Electronic handling of the packet requires secure signing, audit trails, and format compatibility.

  • File Formats: PDF, Word DOCX accepted; final court copies usually PDF/A.
  • Authentication: Use email verification or stronger multi-factor authentication for signer attribution.
  • Audit Trail: Capture timestamp, IP address, and signer actions for evidentiary support.

Typical Timelines and What to Expect

Timeframes vary by county but these are common milestones after filing a petition for adult name change.

Filing to Assignment:

1–5 business days for clerk to assign a cause number

Publication or Notice:

If required, notice periods often range 14–30 days

Hearing Scheduling:

2–12 weeks depending on court calendar

Order Issuance:

Days to weeks after hearing if granted

Certified Copies:

Available immediately or within several days from clerk

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Using inconsistent name formats between ID and petition causes delays
  • Failing to include required supporting documents leads to rejection
  • Not checking county-specific rules or fee amounts causes processing issues
  • Missing a required publication or notice step can result in continuance

Consequences of Errors or Incomplete Packets

Filing Rejection: Incomplete packets may be refused and require resubmission
Delayed Order: Missing documents or mismatched IDs extend waiting time
Identity Confusion: Inconsistent records complicate agency updates and verification
Cost Increases: Extra filings, notarizations, or attorney corrections increase fees
Public Record Effects: A court order becomes part of public record unless sealed by statute
Criminal Record Issues: Unreported criminal history may affect court decision in some jurisdictions

Required Personal Information and Packet Fields

Full Legal Name: Current name exactly
Requested Name: New full name
Date of Birth: MM/DD/YYYY
Photo ID: State or federal ID
Criminal History: Disclosure or background check
Signature: Signed and dated

Practical Tips for Efficient Packet Preparation

Apply these best practices to reduce errors and speed processing when assembling the packet.

Use Consistent Names
Match the exact name formats used on government IDs and supporting records to prevent verification mismatches.
Check County Rules
Confirm local clerk requirements for forms, fees, and publication prior to filing to avoid returns.
Keep Certified Copies
Obtain several certified copies of the final order for banks, agencies, and institutions.
Preserve Audit Trails
When eSigning, retain signed PDFs and audit metadata for future proof of execution.

Example Scenarios Where the Packet Is Used

Real-world examples show how the packet fits common situations and what outcomes to expect.

Personal Rebranding

A professional seeks a new surname for career alignment

  • Court scheduled a short hearing
  • Certified order enabled updates to licensing, bank, and employer records with minimal follow-up.

Correcting Errors

An adult corrects a misspelled birth name on official records

  • Evidence of identity provided
  • Final certified copies were used to update Social Security and state ID.

eSignature Vendor Comparison for Packet Signing and Routing

Compare typical plan-level features and pricing for common eSignature vendors. signNow is listed first in the table per page standards.

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, no credit card required Varies by vendor Varies by vendor Varies by vendor Varies by vendor
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

FAQs and Troubleshooting for the Texas Adult Name Change Packet

Answers to common questions and solutions to typical issues encountered when completing and filing a name change packet.


Need help? Contact support

Explore Templates

Statement of Defendant on Plea of Guilty Washington DUI Judgment and Sentence Notice of Breach of Lease Agreement Domestic Violence No-Contact Order Harassment No-Contact Order Motion Declaration
be ready to get more
Join over 28 million airSlate SignNow users
Sign Now
Company
Forms
Pricing
Resources
Knowledge base
Other Products
© 2026 airSlate Inc. All rights reserved.