Can I use an electronic signature on the petition?

Electronic signatures are generally acceptable for many filings if the court and local rules permit them and the record meets ESIGN/UETA standards. Verify the local court’s electronic filing and signature policies before relying on e-signatures for the petition.

Is notarization always required?

Many jurisdictions require a verified or sworn statement, which often means notarization of the signature. Some courts accept sworn declarations without notarization; confirm the court’s local filing rules to be certain.

How do I update federal records after the decree?

Use the certified court decree to update Social Security, passport, and IRS records. Each agency has its own documentation requirements and processing timelines—retain certified copies for submissions.

What if the petitioner is a minor?

Minor name changes typically require parental consent, court-appointed representation, and sometimes additional findings focused on the child’s best interests. Check local juvenile or family court procedures before filing.

Do I need to publish notice of the name change?

Some states or counties require publication or notice to third parties; others waive publication for safety or privacy reasons. Confirm local statute or court rule to determine whether publication is necessary.

How can I correct a mistake after filing?

If the petition contains clerical errors, contact the clerk immediately to learn the court’s process for amendment or withdrawal. Small corrections may be handled by amendment; substantive changes often require refiling or judicial permission.

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Verified Petition for Change of Name

Verified 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!

VERIFIED PETITION FOR CHANGE OF NAME

STATE OF INDIANA

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT

COUNTY OF

) SS:

CASE NO.

IN RE THE NAME CHANGE OF:

)

Petitioner.

)

Petitioner, pro se, respectfully petitions this court to change his/her name. In support of this Petition, Petitioner states as follows:

1. That my current name is:

2. That my date of birth is:

3. That my Indiana driver's license number/Indiana identification card number is ; and I will bring my Indiana driver's license or identification card to my Change of Name Hearing for verification.

4. That my mailing address is:

And, if different, my residence address is:

5. The following is a list of all my previous names:

6. That I do hold a valid United States passport. My proof that I am a United States citizen is I will bring this document to my Change of Name Hearing for verification.

7. That the following judgments of criminal conviction of a felony under the laws of any state or the United States have been entered against me, or I have stated immediately below that I have no felony convictions:

8. That I am not seeking to defraud creditors by changing my name.

9. That I have published notice of my request for name change in a local publication as required by law, and will bring proof of publication to the hearing.

10. That I am not a sex or violent offender who is required to register under I.C. 11-8-8.

11. That pursuant to Indiana Code 34-28-2-1, I was to change my name. The reason I want to change my name is:

12. That I wish to change my name to

WHEREFORE, I respectfully request that this Court grant my Petition for Name Change, and for all other just and proper relief. I affirm, under the penalties of perjury that the foregoing representations are true.

Signature

Page 1 of 2

Form PS-34282-1

Revised by State Court Administration 10/10

What a Verified Petition for Change of Name Is and what it does

A Verified Petition for Change of Name is a sworn court filing used to request a legal name change in the United States. The petitioner provides personal details, states the reason for the request, and verifies the truth of the facts under oath. Courts use the petition to schedule any required hearing, order public notice if required, and enter a judgment or decree that enables the petitioner to update government and private records.

Why filing a verified petition matters

A court order produced from a verified petition creates legal identity evidence necessary for updating passports, Social Security, driver’s licenses, bank accounts, and records. The verification step (sworn statement or notarization) supports authenticity in later administrative and transactional processes.

Who typically files this petition

The petition is used by adults, parents for minors, and legal representatives when the court must record a formal name change.

Adult petitioners seeking a legal name change for personal, marital, or gender-affirming reasons.
Parents or guardians filing on behalf of minors, often requiring consent or additional orders.
Attorneys or court-appointed guardians submitting petitions when authority and documentation are required.

Step-by-step: complete and file a verified petition

Follow these sequential steps to prepare a petition that the clerk and judge can process without avoidable delays.

01

Gather documents: Collect ID, birth certificate, and prior court orders, if any.
02

Draft petition: Complete the form with accurate facts and proposed name.
03

Notarize verification: Sign under oath before a notary or according to local rules.
04

File with court: Submit to the county clerk with required fees and copies.

Preparing an online workflow for the petition

Set up a simple digital workflow so each step — fill, verify, notarize, and file — is trackable and auditable.

Upload document	Upload PDF or DOCX of the petition for mapping fields.
Field placement	Map full name, proposed name, DOB, address, and signature fields.
Authentication	Choose email plus SMS code for signer identity verification.
Routing	Route to petitioner, notary, then filing clerk sequentially.
Storage	Save completed PDF with audit trail and access controls.

Where the petition goes after you complete it

After completion, steps typically move from signer verification to local court intake and then to a judge for review or a hearing.

Local county clerk: File the original petition and payment at the county clerk’s office.
Judicial review: Clerk assigns a judge who may set a hearing or grant it on papers.
Published notice: If required, publish notice per local rule before the hearing.
Receive decree: Court issues order enabling official record changes.

Digital submission and system requirements

Use a platform that preserves an audit trail, supports PDF/DOCX, and integrates with your storage or case management system.

File formats: PDF | DOCX supported
Integrations: Salesforce | Google Workspace | NetSuite
Authentication: Email + SMS or ID verification

Essential parts of a professional verified petition

A complete petition groups identification, the verified statement, procedural requests, and supporting exhibits in a clear court-ready format.

Caption

Court name, county, and case caption should exactly match local form requirements to ensure proper filing and assignment.

Petitioner details

Full current legal name, aliases, DOB, address, and contact info so the court can identify the petitioner without ambiguity.

Proposed name and relief

State the exact new name sought and the specific relief being requested, such as decree and permission to update government IDs.

Verified statement

A sworn factual declaration explaining why the change is sought and affirming no fraudulent purpose.

Attachments

Attach certified birth certificate, marriage or divorce records, and criminal background disclosures if required by local rules.

Proposed order

Provide a clean proposed order or decree the judge can sign to streamline courtroom processing.

Key data elements to collect and protect

Personal data: Full legal name

Date of birth: MM/DD/YYYY

Sensitive ID: SSN — collect only if required

Address: Street, city, state, ZIP

Supporting docs: Birth/marriage certificates

Notary record: Notary stamp and date

Common pitfalls that cause delays

Mismatched names between petition and ID causing identity verification failures and clerk rejections.
Missing notarization or incorrect notary acknowledgment format that does not meet local court standards.
Omitted supporting documents such as birth certificate or prior name-change orders when required by the court.
Failure to comply with local publication or background disclosure rules resulting in hearing postponement.

Risks and consequences of an incorrect petition

Denial of petition: Court may dismiss

Identity mismatch: Records remain inconsistent

Publication omission: Procedural delays

Incorrect fee: Filing rejected

Perjury risk: False verification penalties

Administrative hold: Inability to update IDs

Typical timelines and processing expectations

Processing times vary by county; expect several weeks from filing to final decree in routine matters, longer if hearings or publication are required.

File promptly:

File as soon as petition and exhibits are ready

Publication window:

Publication, if ordered, often spans 2–6 weeks

Hearing scheduling:

Courts typically set hearings 4–12 weeks after filing

Order entry:

Judge signs decree after hearing or review

Record updates:

Allow 1–8 weeks for agencies to process updates

Key milestones from petition to official name change

A high-level milestone sequence helps you track filing, notice, hearing, and order issuance stages.

01

Prepare petition

Complete form and assemble identification and exhibits.

02

File with clerk

Submit original petition, copies, and filing fee to the court.

03

Notice or publication

Publish notice if required by local rule before the hearing.

04

Hearing and decree

Attend hearing if required and obtain signed decree.

Practical examples of how petitions are used

These short scenarios illustrate common, real-world uses of a verified petition for a legal name change.

Adult petition example

A petitioner files after marriage seeking to adopt a spouse’s surname

The court reviews supporting marriage certificate
The judge signs a decree enabling passport and license updates within weeks.

Minor petition example

A parent petitions for a minor’s name change due to adoption

Consent and background checks are provided
The court issues an order parents use to update school and agency records.

Practical tips to avoid delays and rejections

Adopt a checklist approach to reduce clerical errors and confirm local court requirements before filing.

Verify identity documents

Compare names on birth certificate, ID, and petition to prevent mismatches and identity verification failures.

Follow local forms

Use the court’s prescribed petition template and caption format to avoid procedural rejections.

Secure notarization

Complete verification in front of an authorized notary or follow the court’s electronic notarization rules if permitted.

Track receipts

Keep filing receipts, stamped copies, and the signed decree for agency updates and future reference.

eSignature vendor pricing and capability snapshot

Basic pricing and feature availability for common eSignature vendors — signNow appears first to reflect plan-level comparisons for document workflows used in name-change filings.

	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 (Premium)	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes (BAA available)	Yes	Yes	No	No

Frequently asked questions and troubleshooting

Answers to common questions about verification, notarization, e-signature acceptability, minor petitions, and next steps after a decree.

Need help? Contact support

Can I use an electronic signature on the petition?
Electronic signatures are generally acceptable for many filings if the court and local rules permit them and the record meets ESIGN/UETA standards. Verify the local court’s electronic filing and signature policies before relying on e-signatures for the petition.
Is notarization always required?
Many jurisdictions require a verified or sworn statement, which often means notarization of the signature. Some courts accept sworn declarations without notarization; confirm the court’s local filing rules to be certain.
How do I update federal records after the decree?
Use the certified court decree to update Social Security, passport, and IRS records. Each agency has its own documentation requirements and processing timelines—retain certified copies for submissions.
What if the petitioner is a minor?
Minor name changes typically require parental consent, court-appointed representation, and sometimes additional findings focused on the child’s best interests. Check local juvenile or family court procedures before filing.
Do I need to publish notice of the name change?
Some states or counties require publication or notice to third parties; others waive publication for safety or privacy reasons. Confirm local statute or court rule to determine whether publication is necessary.
How can I correct a mistake after filing?
If the petition contains clerical errors, contact the clerk immediately to learn the court’s process for amendment or withdrawal. Small corrections may be handled by amendment; substantive changes often require refiling or judicial permission.

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