New York Name Change Packet — LSC-Grade Legal Guide

This packet is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For legal advice, contact a licensed New York attorney or your local legal aid organization.

Quick Facts: Name Change in New York

1. Eligibility Checker — Who Can Change Their Name in New York

You ARE eligible if:

• You are a resident of New York State
• You are at least 18 years old (minors need parent/guardian to petition)
• You are not changing your name to defraud creditors or others
• You are not changing your name to avoid criminal prosecution
• You are not changing your name for any fraudulent purpose

Background Check Requirement

New York requires a criminal history background check for all adult name change petitions. You must submit:

• New York State criminal history record, OR
• FBI fingerprint-based background check

Special Requirements for Minors

If changing a minor child's name:

• Both parents must typically consent
• If parents disagree, the court applies the best interest of the child standard
• Notice must be given to both parents
• The court may appoint a guardian ad litem

Restrictions

You may NOT change your name if:

• You are changing it to avoid paying debts
• You are changing it to escape criminal liability
• You are changing it to infringe on someone else's identity
• The court finds the change would be detrimental to others

2. Required Forms

Petition Requirements (Civil Rights Law § 61)

Your petition must include:

1. Your current full legal name
2. The name you want to change to
3. Your reason for wanting the change
4. Statement that you are a New York resident
5. Date and place of birth
6. Current address
7. Whether you have ever been convicted of a crime
8. Whether you have any pending criminal proceedings
9. Whether you are required to register as a sex offender

3. Step-by-Step Filing Instructions

Step 1: Obtain Background Check

New York State Criminal History:

1. Go to: criminaljustice.ny.gov
2. Submit request for CHRI (Criminal History Record Information)
3. Fee: $13.50
4. Results in 3–5 business days

Or FBI Background Check:

1. Go to: fbi.gov/services/cjis/identity-history-summary-checks
2. Submit fingerprints and application
3. Fee: $18 (plus fingerprinting fee)
4. Takes 3–5 weeks

Step 2: Complete Your Petition

1. Download forms from nycourts.gov or get from County Clerk
2. Fill in all required information
3. Include your current name, requested new name, and reasons

Step 3: Get Your Petition Notarized

1. Take your unsigned petition to a notary public
2. Bring valid government-issued photo ID
3. Sign the petition in front of the notary

Step 4: File with the Court

1. Go to the Supreme Court or County Court in your county
2. Pay the filing fee ($65–$210)
3. The clerk will stamp your documents

Step 5: Publish Notice (Civil Rights Law § 64)

You must publish notice of your name change:

1. The notice must appear in a designated newspaper
2. Publication typically runs once a week for 4 consecutive weeks
3. The newspaper will provide an Affidavit of Publication
4. File this affidavit with the court

Waiver of Publication:

If publication would endanger your safety:

• Request waiver at filing
• Explain safety concerns in writing
• The court may waive or modify publication

Step 6: Attend Hearing (If Required)

1. Dress appropriately
2. Arrive 15–30 minutes early
3. Bring government-issued photo ID
4. Bring Affidavit of Publication
5. The judge may ask why you want to change your name

Step 7: Get Certified Copies

1. After the judge signs your Order, get at least 3 certified copies
2. You will need these to update official records

4. Court Information by County

New York County (Manhattan)

• Court: Supreme Court, New York County
• Address: 60 Centre Street, New York, NY 10007
• Phone: (646) 386-3600
• Filing Fee: $210
• Fee Waiver: Available (Poor Person Order)

Kings County (Brooklyn)

• Court: Supreme Court, Kings County
• Address: 360 Adams Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201
• Phone: (347) 404-9700
• Filing Fee: $210
• Fee Waiver: Available

Queens County

• Court: Supreme Court, Queens County
• Address: 88-11 Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica, NY 11435
• Phone: (718) 298-1000
• Filing Fee: $210
• Fee Waiver: Available

Bronx County

• Court: Supreme Court, Bronx County
• Address: 851 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY 10451
• Phone: (718) 618-1000
• Filing Fee: $210
• Fee Waiver: Available

Richmond County (Staten Island)

• Court: Supreme Court, Richmond County
• Address: 26 Central Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10301
• Phone: (718) 675-8700
• Filing Fee: $210
• Fee Waiver: Available

Westchester County (White Plains)

• Court: Supreme Court, Westchester County
• Address: 111 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, White Plains, NY 10601
• Phone: (914) 824-5600
• Filing Fee: $210
• Fee Waiver: Available

Nassau County (Mineola)

• Court: Supreme Court, Nassau County
• Address: 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501
• Phone: (516) 493-3400
• Filing Fee: $210
• Fee Waiver: Available

Suffolk County (Riverhead)

• Court: Supreme Court, Suffolk County
• Address: 1 Court Street, Riverhead, NY 11901
• Phone: (631) 852-1300
• Filing Fee: $210
• Fee Waiver: Available

Erie County (Buffalo)

• Court: Supreme Court, Erie County
• Address: 25 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14202
• Phone: (716) 845-2600
• Filing Fee: $210
• Fee Waiver: Available

Monroe County (Rochester)

• Court: Supreme Court, Monroe County
• Address: 99 Exchange Boulevard, Rochester, NY 14614
• Phone: (585) 371-3200
• Filing Fee: $210
• Fee Waiver: Available

Onondaga County (Syracuse)

• Court: Supreme Court, Onondaga County
• Address: 401 Montgomery Street, Syracuse, NY 13202
• Phone: (315) 671-1300
• Filing Fee: $210
• Fee Waiver: Available

5. Filing Checklist

• [ ] Completed Name Change Petition
• [ ] Petition notarized
• [ ] Background check results
• [ ] Valid government-issued photo ID
• [ ] Proof of New York residency
• [ ] Filing fee ($65–$210)
• [ ] Fee waiver application (if needed)
• [ ] 3 copies of all documents

After filing:

• [ ] Published notice in newspaper (4 weeks)
• [ ] Filed Affidavit of Publication

6. What to Bring to the Hearing

• [ ] Government-issued photo ID
• [ ] Copy of filed petition
• [ ] Affidavit of Publication
• [ ] Background check results
• [ ] Proof of residency
• [ ] Proposed Name Change Order

7. What Happens After Filing

Timeline

After the Order

Update Social Security:

1. Complete Form SS-5
2. Bring certified court order and ID
3. Visit Social Security office
4. Wait 7–14 days for new card

Update New York Driver's License:

1. Bring court order and new Social Security card
2. Visit DMV office
3. Fee: $17.50 for non-driver ID; $30 for license amendment

Update Birth Certificate (if born in NY):

1. Contact NY Dept. of Health, Vital Records
2. Submit certified court order
3. Fee: $30 + processing

8. Local Legal Aid Resources

LSC-Funded Legal Aid in New York

Additional Resources

9. Controlling Statute Citations

• Civil Rights Law § 60 — Short title
• Civil Rights Law § 61 — Petition for change of name
• Civil Rights Law § 62 — Notice of application; publication
• Civil Rights Law § 63 — Order for change of name
• Civil Rights Law § 64 — Publication of order
• Civil Rights Law § 65 — Filing of order; index number
• Civil Rights Law § 66 — Change of name upon marriage or divorce
• Civil Rights Law § 67 — Transgender name changes

10. Sample Petition Language

`

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK

COUNTY OF [COUNTY NAME]

IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION OF

[YOUR CURRENT FULL LEGAL NAME]

)

) Index No.: _______________

)

) PETITION FOR CHANGE OF NAME

Petitioner, [Your Current Full Legal Name], respectfully requests that this

Court grant a change of name, and states as follows:

1. Petitioner is a resident of [County Name] County, New York.

1. Petitioner's current full legal name is [Your Current Full Legal Name].

1. Petitioner was born on [Date of Birth] in [City, State].

1. Petitioner currently resides at [Your Address].

1. Petitioner desires to change their name to [Your New Full Legal Name].

1. The reason for this requested name change is: [Brief explanation]

1. Petitioner has [never been convicted of a crime / been convicted of:

describe offense, date, and court].

1. [There are no criminal proceedings pending against me / The following

criminal proceedings are pending: describe].

1. Petitioner [is not / is] required to register as a sex offender under

Correction Law Article 6-C.

1. Petitioner is not seeking this name change to defraud creditors or

avoid criminal prosecution.

WHEREFORE, Petitioner respectfully requests that this Court enter an Order

changing Petitioner's name from [Current Name] to [New Name].

Dated: _______________, 20___

_______________________________

[Your Current Full Legal Name]

Petitioner

STATE OF NEW YORK )

) ss.

COUNTY OF ________ )

I, [Your Current Full Legal Name], being duly sworn, depose and say that

the foregoing is true to the best of my knowledge.

_______________________________

Petitioner

Sworn before me this _____ day of _______________, 20___.

_______________________________

Notary Public

My Commission Expires: __________

`

Disclaimer

This packet is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For legal advice, contact a licensed New York attorney or The Legal Aid Society at (212) 577-3300.

Last updated: March 2026 | Jurist-Diction | "The law, precisely spoken."

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