New York Name Change Packet — LSC-Grade Legal Guide
Jurisdiction-correct document templates. Not legal advice.
1. Eligibility Checker — Who Can Change Their Name in New York
You ARE eligible if:
Background Check Requirement
Special Requirements for Minors
Restrictions
File at: New York court finder: https://www.nycourts.gov/courts/
2. Required Forms
| Form Name | Purpose | Where to Obtain |
|---|---|---|
| Name Change Petition | Requests the court to change your name | County Clerk or nycourts.gov |
| Verification | Sworn statement that petition is true | Include with petition |
| Order to Show Cause | Sets hearing date (some counties) | Court will provide |
| Name Change Order | Final court order | Submit proposed form |
| Birth Certificate Request | For updating birth certificate | Vital Records |
Petition Requirements (Civil Rights Law § 61)
Your petition must include:
- Your current full legal name
- The name you want to change to
- Your reason for wanting the change
- Statement that you are a New York resident
- Date and place of birth
- Current address
- Whether you have ever been convicted of a crime
- Whether you have any pending criminal proceedings
- Whether you are required to register as a sex offender
3. Step-by-Step Filing Instructions
Step 1: Obtain Background Check
- Go to: criminaljustice.ny.gov
- Submit request for CHRI (Criminal History Record Information)
- Fee: $13.50
- Results in 3–5 business days
- Go to: fbi.gov/services/cjis/identity-history-summary-checks
- Submit fingerprints and application
- Fee: $18 (plus fingerprinting fee)
- Takes 3–5 weeks
Step 2: Complete Your Petition
- Download forms from nycourts.gov or get from County Clerk
- Fill in all required information
Step 3: Get Your Petition Notarized
Step 4: File with the Court
Step 5: Publish Notice (Civil Rights Law § 64)
Step 6: Attend Hearing (If Required)
Step 7: Get Certified Copies
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
- [ ] Published notice in newspaper (4 weeks)
- [ ] Filed Affidavit of Publication
LEGAL AID
- Legal Services of the Hudson Valley: lshv.org · 1-877-574-8529
- Legal Aid Society of NYC: legal-aid.org · (212) 577-3300
- NY Courts Self-Help: nycourts.gov/selfhelp · (212) 428-2104
- Legal Services NYC: legalservicesnyc.org · (212) 431-7200
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:
- Petitioner is a resident of [County Name] County, New York.
- Petitioner's current full legal name is [Your Current Full Legal Name].
- Petitioner was born on [Date of Birth] in [City, State].
- Petitioner currently resides at [Your Address].
- Petitioner desires to change their name to [Your New Full Legal Name].
- The reason for this requested name change is: [Brief explanation]
- Petitioner has [never been convicted of a crime / been convicted of:
describe offense, date, and court].
- [There are no criminal proceedings pending against me / The following
criminal proceedings are pending: describe].
- Petitioner [is not / is] required to register as a sex offender under
Correction Law Article 6-C.
- 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: __________
`
*Not legal advice. Jurist-Diction is not a law firm. Templates are jurisdiction-correct.
Verify current law before filing. For legal advice contact a licensed New York attorney or legal aid. jurist-diction.com*