How To Change Your Name In Nevada Legally
Published Sept 6, 2021
As you grow older and get to know yourself, you might end up not finding your name suitable for you. Maybe you come out changing your sexual preferences and want to change your name officially. Whatever legal or personal reason you might have for wanting to change your name, it’s valid.
Lucky for you, the state of Nevada allows a change of name. This article will show you how to change your name in Nevada, even in different circumstances.
Filing Petition To Change Your Name
Nevada law 41.270 states that it’s legal to change your name in Nevada by filing a petition. The person who wants to change their name has to file a petition addressed to the court, and the pay filing fee is $270. This cost can be paid in cash, credit card, or money order. You can request the court to waive the fee for you if you don’t have the money.
The petition you will file must have the following:
- Applicant’s present name
- Applicant’s desired new name
- Reason for wanting to change your name
It’s required to publish and announce the name change in a county newspaper once every week for the upcoming three weeks. When no one has filed an objection to your publication ten days after your third publication, you can now request for the judge to grant your petition. If that’s not the case, you have to appeal for a hearing. If the reason of the person who filed the objection doesn’t convince the judge, your petition may be granted.
Where can I file a petition?
Applicants can file their petitions in person, via mail, or online. However, if your petition involves both adults and minors, you must file directly in the District Court.
If you’re going to file a petition in person, you can bring your paperwork to the District Court Clerk’s Office – Family Courts and Services Center. Make sure to arrive in their office before or by 3:40 p.m. so you can meet their deadline.
If you’re going to file a petition via mail, simply mail your forms and the payment to the District Court Clerk’s Office – Family Courts and Services Center.
If you can’t find the time to mail or go to the district court directly, you can also file a petition online. Nevada Judiciary has an e-filing website where you can file a petition easily online. Uploading documents in their e-filing system costs $3.50.
Filing A Petition To Change The Name Of A Child
The child’s parent can file a petition to change the child’s name only if the other parent doesn’t object. Changing the name of a child aged 14 or older means you need to get their consent before proceeding with the petition. Legal parents of the child both need to agree to have the petition granted.
Filing A Petition Because Of Gender Identity
The process of having your name changed because of gender identity is easier than other reasons. If you’re changing your name because of your gender identity, you won’t have to publish it in a county newspaper, unlike a formal petition. This reason is typically granted quicker, depending on the situation.
Possible Reasons Why The Court Would Deny A Petition For A Name Change
Your petition can be denied if your publication gets an objection and the reason of the person who filed the objection convinces the judges.
The court/judge may deny your petition for a name change if they think that you will use it for a different reason. For example, changing names can be beneficial for people who are frauds or have criminal records. That’s why the court denies the grant when your reason is suspicious.
What should petitioners with felony convictions do?
Having a felony conviction means you’ve been to jail and had prison sentences. People with felony convictions have to submit their fingerprints with their application for a name change. Even if they got their name changed, the criminal record would still apply to the new name. The court denies the petition of name change right away when you say that you don’t have a criminal record when you actually do.
How to change name because of marriage or divorce?
Changing names after marriage or divorce doesn’t require you to file a petition. The process for both situations is easier.
For changing your name after marriage, all you have to do is note the change on your marriage license. Then, you can use your new name by simply presenting your marriage certificate to government agencies.
To change your name because of divorce, you can account for the change in your judgment of divorce. This only applies when you want to have your old last name back. If you happened not to note the change in your divorce judgment, you have to file for a petition.
What should I do after I change my name?
Now that you know how to change your name in Nevada, you must be wondering what things you should do after changing your name. When the court grants your order, you can use your new name. Present the copy of the granted court order, marriage certificate, or judgment of divorce to the companies that you want to use your new name. You should consider having all of your current IDs and birth certificate updated to avoid any confusion.
In Conclusion
In conclusion, to be able to have your name changed, you have to file a petition for a name change unless your reason is you got married or divorced. Your grant will most likely be approved if you have pure intentions and reasons. You can file your petition by personally going to the district clerk’s office or sending it via mail or online.
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About The Author
As a professional writer at many renowned websites Krizzia Paolyn has covered a wide range of topics in many industries. Her knack for uncovering important truths and conducting thorough research on each topic she writes about has helped thousands of people across the world.