D.C. Adult Name Change Application - Preparation Worksheet - District of Columbia
D.C. Adult Name Change Application - Preparation Worksheet
Before you use this: The D.C. Superior Court directs adult applicants to complete and submit its Application for Change of Name with supporting documents. Use this worksheet to gather information for that court application. File the court's application and required documents, not this worksheet.
1. Confirm the filing route
D.C. Code § 16-2501 permits a District resident to apply in Superior Court, stating the reasons for the change and the name desired. The court's name-change page says applicants must be at least 18. The Civil Actions Branch handles adults 21 and older; applicants under 21 or with an open Family Court case use the Family Court Central Intake Center.
☐ I am at least 18 years old.
☐ I currently live in the District of Columbia.
☐ I am 21 or older and have no open Family Court case. ☐ I need the Family Court intake route.
Filing route to confirm with the court: [________________________________]
2. Gather information for the court application
Transfer the information to the corresponding fields in the official application. The application asks for a Social Security number; enter that directly on the court form, not on this worksheet.
| Court form topic | Information to gather |
|---|---|
| Full name as shown on birth certificate | [________________________________] |
| Current name used | [________________________________] |
| Proposed name | [________________________________] |
| Birth date and place | [__/__/____] · [________________________________] |
| Current D.C. address and contact information | [________________________________] |
| Citizenship status and country, if applicable | [________________________________] |
| Occupation | [________________________________] |
| Parents' names as shown on birth certificate | [________________________________] |
Reason for the proposed change, in the applicant's own words:
[____________________________________________________________]
[____________________________________________________________]
3. Prepare the court form's disclosures
The official application asks about prior name changes and other names used; child-support orders; pending court or public-agency matters; bankruptcy; felony convictions; probation or parole; sex-offender or gun-offender registration; judgments; and creditors. Review every question on the court form and give complete, accurate answers there.
| Topic needing details | Names, case numbers, places, dates, or other information to gather |
|---|---|
| Prior names or name changes | [________________________________] |
| Child-support orders and pending cases | [________________________________] |
| Other affected proceedings or rights | [________________________________] |
| Bankruptcy or judgments | [________________________________] |
| Criminal history, supervision, or registration | [________________________________] |
| Creditors, including zero-balance accounts | [________________________________] |
Documents or records needed to answer the court form: [________________________________]
4. Gather filing documents
The court's adult packet calls for proof of current D.C. residence, valid photo identification, and an original or certified birth certificate. It says the clerk copies and returns the birth certificate and identification. The packet lists additional documents when applicable, including marriage or divorce records, citizenship proof, child-support orders, and paternity or parental-rights orders.
☐ Original or certified birth certificate
☐ Valid photo identification
☐ Proof of current D.C. residence: [________________________________]
☐ Other applicable supporting documents: [________________________________]
The packet accepts specified utility or non-cell telephone bills issued within the last 60 days as residence proof, along with other listed documents. A 60-day document date is not a 60-day residency requirement.
5. Plan filing, notice, and hearing
☐ Complete and sign the court's application and attach the documents it requires.
☐ Check the court's current fee or fee-waiver route before filing.
☐ Record the filing date and the final-hearing date supplied by the court.
Filing date: [__/__/____] Final-hearing date: [__/__/____]
The court's adult packet directs an applicant to mail or personally serve interested parties with the application and hearing notice within ten days of filing and to file service affidavits by the final hearing. It gives additional notice instructions for creditors and for applicants with specified immigration, criminal, supervision, incarceration, or bankruptcy circumstances. Use the court's notice and service forms and identify the people or agencies that apply to your case.
| Interested party or agency | Why notice may be needed | Method and date | Proof filed |
|---|---|---|---|
| [________________________________] | [________________] | [________________] | ☐ |
| [________________________________] | [________________] | [________________] | ☐ |
| [________________________________] | [________________] | [________________] | ☐ |
D.C. Code § 16-2503(a) says the court may change the applicant's name upon a showing the court deems satisfactory. The worksheet does not replace the court's application, order, notice, or hearing instructions.
Sources and references
About this template
- Last updated
- October 19, 2026
- Citations checked
- October 19, 2026
- Jurisdiction
- District of Columbia
- Category
- Family Law
Legal authority
- D.C. Code § 16-2501
- D.C. Code § 16-2502 (Repealed by D.C. Law 20-37, effective November 5, 2013 — publication is no longer required)
- D.C. Code § 16-2503
Family law covers the paperwork that shapes divorce, custody, child support, adoption, guardianship, and other family matters. These filings are emotional and high-stakes, and they also have to meet strict procedural rules for service, financial disclosure, and parenting plans. Clean, accurate paperwork keeps the focus on getting a workable outcome for the family instead of getting derailed by technical problems that delay hearings or force amended filings.
Not legal advice
This template is provided for informational purposes. We recommend having an attorney review any legal document before signing, especially for high-value or complex matters.
Checked against the law it cites
A reviewer verified this template's legal citations against the official source on October 19, 2026.
D.C. Code § 16-2501 (checked October 19, 2026): "Whoever, being a resident of the District and desiring a change of name, may file an application in the Superior Court setting forth the reasons therefor and also the name desired to be assumed."
D.C. Code § 16-2502 (checked October 19, 2026): "§ 16–2502. Notice; contents. [Repealed]"
D.C. Courts — Application for Name Change (checked October 19, 2026): "Be at least 18 years old (a parent, legal guardian, or next-of-kin may apply on behalf of a minor child)."
D.C. Courts — Application for Name Change, filing route (checked October 19, 2026): "The Civil Actions Branch handles name change applications for adults age 21 and older. Applicants under the age of 21 or with an open Family Court case should apply at the Family Court Central Intake Center."
Draft your D.C. Adult Name Change Application - Preparation Worksheet in the editor
Answer a few questions, let the AI editor draft each section from your answers, review it, and download Word and PDF. $99 one time, or $249 per month for every document and every Ezel app.