Legal Packet

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NEW JERSEY )

) ss.

[COUNTY] COUNTY )

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IN THE MATTER OF:

[CURRENT FULL LEGAL NAME],

Petitioner.

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COMPLAINT FOR CHANGE OF NAME

SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY

CHANCERY DIVISION, [COUNTY] COUNTY

Docket No.: _______________

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COMES NOW Petitioner, [CURRENT FULL LEGAL NAME], and files this Complaint for

Change of Name, and in support thereof states as follows:

JURISDICTION

1. Under N.J.S.A. 2A:52-1, "Any person may institute an action in Superior

Court, for authority to assume another name."

1. This Court has jurisdiction over this matter pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2A:52-1.

PETITIONER INFORMATION

1. Petitioner's current full legal name is: [CURRENT FULL LEGAL NAME]

1. Petitioner desires to change name to: [NEW FULL LEGAL NAME]

1. Petitioner's date of birth: [DATE OF BIRTH]

1. Petitioner's Social Security Number: [XXX-XX-XXXX]

1. Petitioner's current address: [STREET ADDRESS], [CITY], NJ [ZIP]

1. Petitioner has resided in New Jersey for at least [NUMBER] years.

REASON FOR NAME CHANGE

1. Petitioner desires to change [his/her/their] name for the following

reason(s):

[Check all that apply and provide details:]

[ ] Marriage / Return to maiden name

[Explain]

[ ] Divorce

[Explain]

[ ] Adoption

[Explain]

[ ] Gender identity / Gender affirmation

[Explain]

[ ] Personal preference

[Explain]

[ ] Religious reasons

[Explain]

[ ] Other: [Explain in detail]

CRIMINAL HISTORY CERTIFICATION

1. Under N.J.S.A. 2A:52-1, the complaint must be accompanied by a sworn

affidavit stating "whether or not the applicant has ever been convicted

of a crime, and whether any criminal charges are pending against him."

1. Petitioner certifies that [he/she/they]:

[ ] Have NEVER been convicted of a crime in any jurisdiction

[ ] HAVE been convicted of a crime (provide details below)

If convicted, provide the following information:

• Offense: [NAME OF OFFENSE]
• Date of conviction: [DATE]
• Court: [COURT NAME AND LOCATION]
• Case number: [CASE NUMBER]
• Disposition: [SENTENCE/DISPOSITION]

1. Petitioner certifies that [he/she/they]:

[ ] Have NO criminal charges pending in any jurisdiction

[ ] HAVE criminal charges pending (provide details below and serve

prosecuting authority as required by N.J.S.A. 2A:52-1)

If pending charges exist, provide:

• Offense charged: [NAME OF OFFENSE]
• Date charges filed: [DATE]
• Court: [COURT NAME AND LOCATION]
• Case number: [CASE NUMBER]
• Prosecuting authority: [NAME AND ADDRESS]

GOOD FAITH CERTIFICATION

1. Under N.J.S.A. 2A:52-1, "The sworn affidavit shall also recite that the

action for a change of name is not being instituted for purposes of

avoiding or obstructing criminal prosecution or for avoiding creditors

or perpetrating a criminal or civil fraud."

1. Petitioner certifies that this action for change of name is NOT being

instituted for purposes of:

• Avoiding or obstructing criminal prosecution
• Avoiding creditors
• Perpetrating a criminal fraud
• Perpetrating a civil fraud

1. Petitioner certifies that the purpose of this name change is solely for

the legitimate reason(s) stated in paragraph 9 above.

PRAYER FOR RELIEF

WHEREFORE, Petitioner respectfully requests that this Court:

a) Enter a Judgment permitting Petitioner to change [his/her/their] name from

[CURRENT NAME] to [NEW NAME];

b) Order that, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2A:52-2, "from and after the day specified

therefor in the judgment in the action, [Petitioner] shall be known by the

name which, by the judgment, [he/she/they] is authorized to assume, and by

no other";

c) Grant such other and further relief as the Court deems just and proper.

VERIFICATION

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO R. 1:4-4(b)

I certify that the foregoing statements made by me are true. I am aware that

if any of the foregoing statements made by me are willfully false, I am

subject to punishment.

I further certify pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2A:52-1 that:

• The information provided regarding my criminal history is true and complete
• This action for change of name is NOT being instituted for purposes of

avoiding or obstructing criminal prosecution, avoiding creditors, or

perpetrating a criminal or civil fraud

I understand that pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2A:52-1, "A person commits a crime of

the fourth degree if he knowingly gives or causes to be given false information

under this section."

Date: _______________

______________________________

[SIGNATURE]

[CURRENT FULL LEGAL NAME, printed]

[ADDRESS]

[CITY, STATE, ZIP]

[PHONE NUMBER]

N.J.R. 1:4-4(b)

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FILING INSTRUCTIONS

FORMATTING REQUIREMENT (N.J.R. 1:4-9):

Every document filed with a New Jersey court must carry a 3-inch (3") blank

top margin on the first page to accommodate the court's filing stamp. All

subsequent pages require a minimum 1-inch top margin. Verify margins before

filing.

Superior Court of New Jersey - Chancery Division

Court: Superior Court of New Jersey, Chancery Division, [County] County

Address: [County Courthouse Address]

Filing Fee: Approximately $175-250 (varies by county)

Fee Waiver: Request "IFP Application" (In Forma Pauperis) from clerk if unable to pay

Required Documents:

1. Verified Complaint for Change of Name (this document)
2. Certification of Petitioner (sworn affidavit as required by N.J.S.A. 2A:52-1)
3. Proposed Form of Order
4. Civil Case Information Statement
5. Filing fee or IFP application

Publication Requirement:

New Jersey does NOT generally require newspaper publication for name changes

for adults. However, check with your local court as some counties may have

specific requirements.

If You Have Criminal History:

• If you have pending criminal charges, you must serve a copy of the complaint

and affidavit upon the prosecuting authority responsible for the charges

(N.J.S.A. 2A:52-1)

• The clerk will forward a copy of the judgment to the State Bureau of

Identification (N.J.S.A. 2A:52-2)

After the Judgment:

1. Get certified copies of the Judgment from the clerk (approximately $10-25

per copy)

1. Update your Social Security card at the Social Security Administration
2. Update your New Jersey driver's license at the MVC
3. Update your birth certificate (if born in NJ) with the Office of Vital

Statistics and Registry

1. Update banks, employers, schools, insurance, and other accounts

Court Locations by Major County:

• Essex County: Veterans Courthouse, 50 West Market St, Newark, NJ 07102
• Hudson County: 595 Newark Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07306
• Bergen County: 10 Main Street, Hackensack, NJ 07601
• Middlesex County: 56 Bayard Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
• Monmouth County: 71 Monument Park, Freehold, NJ 07728

Legal Aid Resources:

• Legal Services of New Jersey: 1-888-576-5529
• Statewide Legal Aid Hotline: https://www.lsnj.org
• LSC Finder: https://www.lsc.gov/about-lsc/what-legal-aid/find-legal-aid

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