Name Change

Santa Clara County Superior Court charges approximately $450 to file a Petition for Change of Name. Newspaper publication of the Order to Show Cause typically runs $80 to $150 depending on the publication. The California courts make a fee waiver application available to those who qualify based on income. TrustPoint's document preparation fee is $500, flat, quoted in writing before any work begins — book a consultation here.

According to Santa Clara County Superior Court procedures, a typical adult petition moves from filing to signed Decree Changing Name in about 8 to 12 weeks. That window includes four consecutive weeks of newspaper publication, court review, and the judge's signature. Petitions involving minors, non-consenting parents, or missing records generally take longer.

At the client's direction, TrustPoint prepares the complete petition package required by Santa Clara County Superior Court — the Petition for Change of Name, the Attachment identifying each name to be changed, the Order to Show Cause, the Decree Changing Name, and the Civil Case Cover Sheet. Minor petitions add supplemental attachments, and proof-of-service documents are prepared when service is required. Gender-identity petitions use a different petition form, which TrustPoint also prepares.

California law permits a spouse to use a certified marriage certificate to update Social Security, DMV, and U.S. State Department records after marriage. A separate Petition for Change of Name is the court process governed by Code of Civil Procedure sections 1275 through 1279.6 and is a different procedure from a marriage-based update. TrustPoint prepares whichever documents the client directs us to prepare.

Under California law, a divorce judgment that restored a former name is itself sufficient to update records. When a judgment did not restore the former name, an Ex Parte Application for Restoration of Former Name After Entry of Judgment is available in the court of the original divorce. TrustPoint prepares either of these documents at the client's direction.

A Petition for Change of Name filed in California produces a court Decree Changing Name, which is the court-issued record of the legal name. Some clients also pursue birth certificate amendments or USCIS record updates. TrustPoint prepares the supporting documents for each of these procedures at the client's direction through our immigration service. The client decides which procedure to pursue.

Yes. California law permits a parent or legal guardian to petition for a minor's change of name. When one parent does not consent or cannot be located, the non-consenting parent must be personally served with the Order to Show Cause at least 30 days before the hearing, and the court decides based on the best interest of the child. TrustPoint prepares the petition and service documents at the client's direction.

Under Santa Clara County Superior Court procedures, an adult petition may be decided on the paperwork alone if no written objection is filed at least two court days before the hearing. Contested petitions, minor petitions with non-consenting parents, and petitions flagged by the confidential background review typically require a personal appearance. The court makes that determination, not TrustPoint.

Santa Clara County conducts a confidential background review on adult petitions, and a Live Scan or fingerprint card may be required in certain cases. When the court requires it, Live Scan fingerprinting is available through our partner Bay Area Live Scan & More, which operates from the same office.