________________________________________________________________________________
TENNESSEE )
) ss.
[COUNTY] COUNTY )
________________________________________________________________________________
IN THE MATTER OF:
[CURRENT FULL LEGAL NAME],
Petitioner.
________________________________________________________________________________
PETITION FOR CHANGE OF NAME
[CIRCUIT / PROBATE / COUNTY] COURT OF [COUNTY] COUNTY
Case No.: _______________
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COMES NOW Petitioner, [CURRENT FULL LEGAL NAME], and files this Petition for
Change of Name, and in support thereof states as follows:
JURISDICTION
- Under Tenn. Code Ann. § 29-8-101(a), "The circuit, probate and county courts
have concurrent jurisdiction to change names and to correct errors in birth
certificates on the application of a resident of the county in which the
application is made."
- Petitioner is a resident of [COUNTY] County, Tennessee, and has been a
resident of this county for at least [NUMBER] months/years.
PETITIONER INFORMATION
- Petitioner's current full legal name is: [CURRENT FULL LEGAL NAME]
- Petitioner desires to change name to: [NEW FULL LEGAL NAME]
- Petitioner's date of birth: [DATE OF BIRTH]
- Petitioner's place of birth: [CITY], [STATE]
- Petitioner's Social Security Number: [XXX-XX-XXXX]
- Petitioner's current address: [STREET ADDRESS], [CITY], TN [ZIP]
- Petitioner's driver's license number: [STATE] [NUMBER]
REASON FOR NAME CHANGE
- Under Tenn. Code Ann. § 29-8-102, "The application to change the name or
to correct an error in a birth certificate shall be by petition, in writing,
signed by the applicant and verified by affidavit, stating that the
applicant is a resident of the county, and giving the applicant's reasons
for desiring the change or correction."
- 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]
- Petitioner states that this name change is not being sought to:
- Defraud or mislead any person or entity
- Avoid creditors or legal obligations
- Evade law enforcement
- Compromise public safety
- Cause injury to any individual
BACKGROUND AND CERTIFICATIONS
- Petitioner has [never] been convicted of a felony.
[If yes, provide details:] [List offense(s), case number(s), court(s), and
date(s) of conviction. Explain rehabilitation and why name change should be
granted despite presumption under T.C.A. § 29-8-101(b)(3).]
- Petitioner certifies that [he/she/they] [has/has not] been convicted of:
- First degree murder
- Second degree murder
- Any offense requiring registration as a sexual offender under the
Tennessee Sexual Offender and Violent Sexual Offender Registration,
Verification and Tracking Act of 2004 (T.C.A. §§ 40-39-201 et seq.)
[If yes, STOP - you are not eligible for a name change under T.C.A. §
29-8-101(b)(1)]
- Petitioner [is/is not] currently an inmate in the custody of the Tennessee
Department of Correction.
- Petitioner [has/has not] previously filed a petition for change of name
in this or any other court.
[If yes, provide details:] [Case number, court, date, and outcome]
PUBLICATION
- [If required by local court rules:] Petitioner requests that the court
order publication of notice of this petition as required by local court
rules.
PRAYER FOR RELIEF
WHEREFORE, Petitioner respectfully requests that this Court:
a) Enter an Order changing Petitioner's name from [CURRENT NAME] to [NEW NAME];
b) Order the appropriate authorities to update Petitioner's records to reflect
the name change;
c) Grant such other and further relief as the Court deems just and proper.
VERIFICATION
I, [CURRENT FULL LEGAL NAME], declare under penalty of perjury pursuant to
Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-16-702 that I am the Petitioner in this matter; that I
have read the foregoing Petition; and that the facts stated therein are true
and correct to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief.
I further certify that I am not changing my name to defraud or mislead any
person, to avoid creditors or legal obligations, to evade law enforcement, to
compromise public safety, or to cause injury to any individual.
Executed this ___ day of _____________, 20___.
______________________________
[SIGNATURE]
[CURRENT FULL LEGAL NAME, printed]
[ADDRESS]
[CITY, STATE, ZIP]
[PHONE NUMBER]
________________________________________________________________________________
FILING INSTRUCTIONS
Tennessee Circuit, Probate, or County Court
Court: [Circuit / Probate / County] Court of [County] County, Tennessee
Address: [County Courthouse Address]
Filing Fee: Approximately $100-200 (varies by county)
Fee Waiver: Request "Pauper's Oath" form from clerk if unable to pay
Which Court to File In:
You may file in Circuit Court, Probate Court, or County Court in the county
where you live. All three have jurisdiction. Check with the clerk to determine
which court handles name changes in your county.
Publication Requirement:
Some Tennessee counties require you to publish notice of your name change in a
local newspaper before the hearing. Ask the clerk if this is required in your
county. If required:
- The clerk will provide a notice form
- Publish the notice in a local newspaper for the required period (usually
once a week for 3-4 weeks)
- File proof of publication with the court
Required Documents:
- Petition for Change of Name (this document)
- Certified copy of your birth certificate (if available)
- Valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, state ID)
- Proof of Tennessee residency (utility bill, lease, voter registration)
- Background check (some counties require this)
After the Hearing:
If the court grants your name change:
- Get certified copies of the Order from the clerk (cost: approximately $5-10
per copy)
- Update your Social Security card at the Social Security Administration
- Update your driver's license at the Tennessee Department of Safety
- Update your birth certificate (if born in Tennessee) with the Office of
Vital Records
- Update banks, employers, schools, insurance, and other accounts
Ineligibility Warning:
Under Tenn. Code Ann. § 29-8-101(b), you CANNOT change your name if you have
been convicted of:
- First degree murder
- Second degree murder
- Any sex offense requiring registration as a sex offender
If you have ANY felony conviction, the court presumes your petition is in bad
faith. You must prove by "clear and convincing evidence" that your request is
legitimate.
Legal Aid Resources:
- Legal Aid of East Tennessee: 1-800-821-1312
- Memphis Area Legal Services: (901) 523-8822
- West Tennessee Legal Services: 1-800-489-8492
- Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services: https://www.tals.org
- LSC Finder: https://www.lsc.gov/about-lsc/what-legal-aid/find-legal-aid
Court Locations by Major County:
- Shelby County (Memphis): 140 Adams Avenue, Memphis, TN 38103
- Davidson County (Nashville): 1 Public Square, Nashville, TN 37201
- Knox County (Knoxville): 300 Main Street, Knoxville, TN 37902
- Hamilton County (Chattanooga): 625 Georgia Avenue, Chattanooga, TN 37402
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