Name Change Petition

IMPORTANT: THIS IS A PREPARATION GUIDE — NOT THE OFFICIAL COURT FORM

The District of Columbia requires the use of the official Application for Change of Name
(Adult) form issued by the D.C. Superior Court. This template provides the substantive
legal content to help you prepare — but you must transfer your content to the official form
before filing. The official form is available at
dccourts.gov. Do not file this document directly with the court.

APPLICATION FOR CHANGE OF NAME

Table of Contents

1. Caption
2. Applicant Information
3. Current and Proposed Name
4. Residency Verification
5. Grounds for Name Change
6. Criminal History Disclosure
7. Notice to Interested Parties
8. Declaration and Verification
9. Order Granting Name Change
10. State-Specific Notes

Caption

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
CIVIL DIVISION

In the Matter of the Application of:

[________________________________]
(Current Legal Name of Applicant)

For Change of Name to:

[________________________________]
(Proposed New Name)

Case No.: [________________________________]

APPLICATION FOR CHANGE OF NAME

(D.C. Code § 16-2501)

TO THE HONORABLE COURT:

Applicant, [________________________________], a resident of the District of Columbia, respectfully applies to this Court pursuant to D.C. Code § 16-2501 for an Order changing Applicant's legal name, and in support thereof states as follows:

Applicant Information

1. Full Current Legal Name: [________________________________]

2. Proposed New Legal Name: [________________________________]

3. Date of Birth: [__/__/____]

4. Place of Birth (City, State/Country): [________________________________]

5. Social Security Number (last four digits): XXX-XX-[____]

6. Current Mailing Address:
   [________________________________]
   Washington, D.C. [____]

7. Telephone Number: [________________________________]

8. Email Address: [________________________________]

9. Driver's License / State ID Number: [________________________________]

10. Age: [____] (Must be at least 21 years of age)

Residency Verification

11. Applicant is a current resident of the District of Columbia and has continuously resided in the District of Columbia for at least sixty (60) days immediately preceding the filing of this Application.

12. Proof of residency is attached hereto and consists of:

☐ Utility bill (dated within the last 60 days)
☐ Telephone bill
☐ Real property tax bill
☐ Current lease or rental agreement
☐ Pay stub showing D.C. address
☐ W-2 statement
☐ Letter from CSOSA or D.C. Department of Corrections
☐ Other: [________________________________]

Grounds for Name Change

13. Applicant seeks to change their legal name for the following reason(s):

☐ Marriage or domestic partnership
☐ Divorce or dissolution of marriage/domestic partnership
☐ Personal preference
☐ Gender identity
☐ Return to maiden or former name
☐ Religious or cultural reasons
☐ Other: [________________________________]

14. Detailed explanation of reasons for the requested name change:

[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]

15. The requested name change is in the interest and to the benefit of the Applicant and in the interest of the public.

16. The name change is NOT sought to avoid judgments, legal actions, debts, or obligations.

Criminal History Disclosure

17. Petitioner discloses the following regarding criminal history:

☐ Applicant has NOT been convicted of any felony offense.
☐ Applicant HAS been convicted of a felony offense. Details: [________________________________]

18. Sex Offender Registry Status:

☐ Applicant is NOT required to register as a sex offender under D.C. law or the law of any other jurisdiction.
☐ Applicant IS required to register as a sex offender. Details: [________________________________]

19. Pending Criminal Charges:

☐ Applicant does NOT have any pending criminal charges.
☐ Applicant DOES have pending criminal charges. Details: [________________________________]

Notice to Interested Parties

20. Applicant states that the following persons may have an interest in this proceeding:

☐ There are no interested parties who need to be notified.

Declaration and Verification

I, [________________________________], the Applicant herein, being duly sworn, depose and state that I have read the foregoing Application and that the statements contained herein are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief.

I understand that the granting of this Application is discretionary with the Court and that I must demonstrate sufficient reasons for the change and that it is in my interest and in the public interest.

Applicant's Signature: ____________________________________

Date: [__/__/____]

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Subscribed and sworn to before me this [____] day of [________________], [____].

Notary Public Signature: ____________________________________
Printed Name: [________________________________]
My Commission Expires: [__/__/____]

[NOTARY SEAL]

Order Granting Name Change

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
CIVIL DIVISION

In the Matter of the Application of:
[________________________________]
For Change of Name to:
[________________________________]

Case No.: [________________________________]

ORDER GRANTING CHANGE OF NAME

This matter having come before the Court upon the Application of [________________________________] for a change of name pursuant to D.C. Code § 16-2501, and the Court having reviewed the Application, verified residency, and being fully advised;

THE COURT FINDS THAT:

1. The Applicant is a resident of the District of Columbia and has been for at least sixty (60) days.

2. The Applicant has shown sufficient reasons for the change of name.

3. The requested name change is in the interest and to the benefit of the Applicant and in the interest of the public.

4. The name change is not sought to avoid judgments, legal actions, debts, or obligations.

IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that the name of the Applicant is hereby changed from [________________________________] to [________________________________], effective as of the date of this Order.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Applicant may use the new name in all legal and official documents, records, and transactions.

ENTERED this [____] day of [________________], [____].

____________________________________
Associate Judge
Superior Court of the District of Columbia

State-Specific Notes

D.C. Name Change Key Points

• Court: Superior Court of the District of Columbia, Civil Division.
• Statutory Authority: D.C. Code §§ 16-2501 through 16-2503.
• Age Requirement: Applicant must be at least 21 years of age; a parent or guardian may file for a minor.
• Residency Requirement: At least 60 days of continuous residency in the District of Columbia; proof required.
• Required Documents: Original or certified copy of birth certificate; proof of residency.
• Publication: NOT required for name changes in D.C.
• Filing Fee: $60 (cash or money order); fee waiver available.
• Standard for Approval: Court must find "sufficient reasons" and that the change is in the interest of the applicant and the public.
• Discretionary: The granting of a name change is discretionary with the court.
• Minor Name Changes: A parent or legal guardian may file on behalf of a minor; both parents should consent or be notified.
• Gender Identity: D.C. is generally supportive of name changes for gender identity purposes; the D.C. Human Rights Act provides broad protections.
• Sealed Records: The court may seal records upon a showing of safety concerns.
• No Hearing Required (typically): Many D.C. name changes are granted without a hearing if the application is complete and no objections are raised.

Sources and References

• D.C. Code § 16-2501
• D.C. Courts — Application for Name Change Instructions
• D.C. Courts — Name Change Page