Tennessee Name Change Petition — Your Filing Guide
What This Document Does
This is a Petition for Change of Name that you file with the court to legally change your name. Once the judge signs the order, you can update your driver's license, Social Security card, birth certificate, and all other official documents to reflect your new name.
When to Use This
- You want to change your name after getting married or divorced
- You want to change your name for personal, religious, or cultural reasons
- You are transgender and want to change your name to match your gender identity
- You want to correct a name on your birth certificate
- You have another legitimate reason to change your legal name
Before You File
Gather these items:
- [ ] Your birth certificate (certified copy, if available)
- [ ] Government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID)
- [ ] Proof of Tennessee residency (utility bill, lease, voter registration card)
- [ ] $100-200 filing fee (cash, money order, or credit card) or Pauper's Oath form
- [ ] Money for newspaper publication (if required by your county, approximately $50-150)
- [ ] Money for certified copies of the final order (approximately $5-10 per copy)
Step-by-Step Filing
- Complete the Petition. Fill in every blank. Be honest about your criminal history (if any).
- Make 2 copies. Keep one for yourself. File the original and one copy.
- Go to the Circuit Court, Probate Court, or County Court in your county. You can file in any of these courts. Ask the clerk which court handles name changes in your county.
- Pay the filing fee.
- If you can't afford the fee: Ask the clerk for a "Pauper's Oath" form. You will list your income and expenses. If approved, you can file for free.
- Publication (if required). Some counties require you to publish notice of your name change in a local newspaper. Ask the clerk:
- Do I need to publish notice?
- Which newspaper should I use?
- How many times must it be published?
- How do I prove I published it?
- Attend your hearing. The court will schedule a hearing. Bring your ID and any documents the clerk requested.
- Get certified copies of the Order. After the judge signs your name change order, get at least 3-5 certified copies from the clerk. You will need these to update your other documents.
After Your Name Change is Granted
Update your documents in this order:
- Social Security Card
- Go to your local Social Security office or apply online at https://www.ssa.gov
- Bring: certified copy of court order, current ID, birth certificate
- Cost: Free
- Wait for your new Social Security card before updating other documents
- Driver's License or State ID
- Go to a Tennessee Department of Safety driver services center
- Bring: certified copy of court order, current license/ID, new Social Security card
- Cost: Approximately $8-16 for duplicate license
- Birth Certificate (if born in Tennessee)
- Contact the Tennessee Office of Vital Records
- Website: https://www.tn.gov/health/health-program-areas/vital-records.html
- Cost: Approximately $15-30
- Other Documents to Update
- Bank accounts
- Credit cards
- Passport
- Employer/payroll
- School records
- Insurance policies
- Utility accounts
- Voter registration
- Medical records
Who CANNOT Change Their Name in Tennessee
Under Tennessee law, you CANNOT change your name if you have been convicted of:
- First degree murder
- Second degree murder
- Any sex offense that requires you to register as a sex offender
If you have any other felony conviction, the court will presume your petition is in bad faith. You must prove by "clear and convincing evidence" that you are not trying to defraud anyone and that the name change is legitimate.
Reasons a Judge May Deny Your Petition
A judge may deny your name change if:
- You are trying to avoid creditors or debts
- You are trying to hide from law enforcement
- You are trying to defraud or mislead someone
- You are currently in prison (inmates cannot use public funds for name changes)
- You have certain criminal convictions (see above)
- The judge believes the name change would cause injury to someone or compromise public safety
Changing a Child's Name
If you want to change a minor child's name, the process is more complex:
- Both parents usually must consent, or you must serve the other parent with notice
- The court will consider the child's best interest
- Children 14 and older may need to consent
- Additional forms may be required
Ask the court clerk for the specific requirements for minor name changes.
Legal Aid Resources
If you need free legal help:
- Legal Aid of East Tennessee: 1-800-821-1312 — Serves 26 East Tennessee counties
- Memphis Area Legal Services: (901) 523-8822 — Shelby, Fayette, Tipton counties
- West Tennessee Legal Services: 1-800-489-8492 — 17 West Tennessee counties
- Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services: https://www.tals.org — Statewide referral
- LSC Finder: https://www.lsc.gov/about-lsc/what-legal-aid/find-legal-aid
Disclaimer
This guide and the court document template are for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Laws change. For legal advice specific to your situation, contact a licensed attorney or the legal aid organizations above.
Not a law firm. Not your attorney. No attorney-client relationship exists.