New Jersey Name Change Overview

There are countless of reasons to get your name changed. Many of the most common reasons include family law, child adoptions, marriage, and marital divorce. While you can change your name for almost any reason, you should know that there are certain limitations. The name changing process in the state of New Jersey can be quite complex. There are several factors that must be taken into consideration. If you are in need of a name change, contact a qualified attorney who can guide you through the process.

The Process of Changing Your Name in the State of New Jersey

Filing for a name change in the state of New Jersey does not necessarily constitute the need of an attorney. Seeking professional help, however, can not only simplify the process, it can also save you valuable time and other resources. With the professional help of a knowledgeable attorney, you might be able to expedite the process and complete the task much sooner.

In order to change your name in the State of New Jersey, you should be knowledgeable of the process. Obtaining a name change requires extensive work and precise document preparation. If you are attempting to obtain a name change, the following is a limited list of tasks you will need to accomplish:

Obtaining a name change requires filing out proper documentation with the Superior Court clerk.

For a list of needed documents, visit NJCourts.gov.

Once you have filed the documents, you will need to request a hearing date.

A hearing is necessary in order to explain your reasoning behind the name change.

It is important to note that not everyone can qualify for a name change. If you are looking to file for a name change, you cannot be doing so in order to avoid paying restitution fees, avoid criminal convictions, and/or in an attempt of hiding from any government agency.

Although this is a limited list, the entire process can be quite strenuous and often difficult to understand. Once you have begun the process, you will be subject to time constraints and other limitations. Seeking the help of a professional can help you understand the process. A qualified attorney will ensure that you have the best opportunity at obtaining a name change.

Common Reasons Behind a Name Change

The process of changing a name is very common. The following are some of the most common reasons why someone could seek filing for a name change in the state of New Jersey.

1. Petitioning for a name change after marriage
   1. The change of a name after a wedding celebration can be a very simple process. In the event that the name change will be different than the spouses’ name, the situation can quickly become complicated since a court order will then be required.
2. Petitioning for a name change after a divorce or in the process of one.
   1. Changing your name during a divorce can be done so in the document process. If, for any reason, you decide to obtain a name change after the process, you will need to also obtain a court order.
3. Petitioning for a child’s name change in New Jersey.
   1. When a child is born, the process is giving the child a legal name is very simple and can be done at the time of obtaining the child’s birth certificate.
   2. When adopting a child, the process for obtaining a name change is involved in the adoption complaint.

The Law Office of Katherine O’Brien has extensive experience in handling name changes in the State of New Jersey. If you or someone you know is seeking a name change, Attorney Katherine O’Brien understands the process and can provide legal guidance. Changing your name in the State of New Jersey can be a lengthy and complicated process. Seeking the advice of Attorney Katherine O’Brien can potentially expedite the long process as opposed to you going it alone.

Photo by Jon Tyson

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Katherine O'Brien Law