Petition For Name Change - Arkansas Circuit Court printable pdf download

July 2006

Family Law Series

Completing the Name Change Petition

Arkansas Legal Services Partnership Family Law Series

In the final paragraph, after the word

This fact sheet provides an example of a Name Change petition

WHEREFORE, enter, in full, the name that you

and instructions to complete the petition. A petition is a formal

currently have in the first space and the full name

request to the court to take an action. In this case, your petition

that you want to be known by in the second space. Again,

will ask the court for a name change either for you or your

CHECK YOUR SPELLING.

minor child.

The petition should be on 8 1/2 x 11 size paper with 1’’

Then, take the petition to a notary public and sign it

margins. Judges prefer petitions to be typed. If it is not

in front of that notary. Get the notary to notarize the

petition and give it back to you. This will probably

possible to type the document then the judge must be able to

cost you around $10.00.

read your handwriting.

INSTRUCTIONS TO COMPLETE A PETITION

Take the petition and three (3) copies to the court

Enter in the name of the county that you live in and

clerk in the county in which you live and file it with

the division of the court that you are filing the

the court. You will need a cover sheet for Circuit Court that

petition in. The Circuit Clerk will assign the

you can get either from the Clerk, or from the court forms

division and case number

section at The filing fee will be

$140. If service is needed the fee will vary. Keep a copy of the

petition for your personal records.

In the blank beside IN RE enter your name as it is

today. It doesn’t matter here what you want your

Once the judge rules on the petition he or she will

name to be, it is important that you enter your full

issue an order of name change. You must provide

name as it is right now.

this document. See an example order below. Check

it closely when you get it for spelling errors and let the clerk

know of any that you find. Complete the order by using the

You are the petitioner; so enter your name in the

same instructions you used with the petition.

space provided following the word petitioner.

After filing the petition the clerk can then tell you

In paragraph 1, enter in the name of the county that

when the hearing will be. The clerk can also tell you

you live in. For example, if you live in Clinton,

what that particular court’s actions are on name change

Arkansas, you would put Van Buren County.

petitions, and when and how you should get the Order. Be nice

to the clerks, they can help you understand the system, but they

In paragraph 2, enter the reason that you want to

don’t have to.

change your name. This should be complete and

understandable. For example, if you are now

The Family Law Series is produced by the Center for Arkansas Legal

Services, Legal Aid of Arkansas, Inc., and Arkansas Volunteer Lawyers

divorced and you want to return to your maiden name, but

for the Elderly. These agencies provide free legal services to eligible

didn’t do so in your divorce proceedings, then state this as the

Arkansans who meet income, asset and other guidelines. Legal

reason for your name change. Just remember that your stated

services may include advice and counsel, brief services, or full

reason will be the primary factor the judge considers in

representation depending on the situation. Additional information can

be found at: http\\ or call 1-800-9LAW AID.

determining whether or not to grant your petition.

The information and statements of law contained in this fact sheet are

not intended to be used as legal advice. Local courts interpret things

Also in paragraph 2 enter the new name that you are

differently. This fact sheet is given to you as a guide to help you

requesting. CHECK YOUR SPELLING. If you

understand the way family law matters are handled in general. Before

misspell the new name, so will the judge and you

you take any action, talk to an attorney and follow his or her advice.

will have go back to court to get it corrected.

Always do what the court tells you to do.

Funding for the Family Law Series is provided in part

by the Arkansas Bar Foundation.

A Collaboration of

Center for Arkansas Legal Services, Legal Aid of Arkansas & Arkansas Volunteer Lawyers for the Elderly

1-800-9 LAW AID or

Petition For Name Change - Arkansas Circuit Court

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