Name Changes

Steps for an adult to ask to change their name:

1. Fill out the Petition of Adult to Change Name (form 700-00122). You can find the form at the bottom of this web page.
2. File the completed form with the probate division of the Superior Court in the county in which you live. You can file in person, by mail, or by email. See the Filing Procedures web page for information about filing options.
3. There is a $150 fee to file a name change petition. If you can't afford the fee, you can ask the court to consider waiving it. See the Application to Waive Filing Fees and Service Costs web page for information and forms.
4. You may be required to also file a certified copy of your birth certificate. Check with the court where you are filing for their requirements.
5. The court will schedule a hearing with the judge, and will notify you of the hearing date by mail. 
6. If the court grants the name change request, you are responsible for telling others about your new name. See the Next Steps section below for more information.  

For information about changing your gender marker, see the Name and Gender Marker Changes in Vermont web page on the VTLawHelp.org website.

A parent or guardian may ask the court to change a minor’s name. A minor is a child under 18. The process differs depending on whether both parents consent to the name change.

If both parents consent to the name change

1. Fill out the Petition to Change Name of Minor (form 700-00123). You can find the form at the bottom of this web page.
2. The consenting parent signs in the Non-Petitioning Parent section of the Petition.
3. If the minor is 14 or older, they must consent to the name change. The minor signs in the Minor’s Consent if over 14 section of the Petition.
4. File the completed form with the probate division of the Superior Court in the county in which the minor lives. You can file in person, by mail, or by email. See the Filing Procedures web page for information about filing options.
5. There is a $150 fee to file a name change petition. If you can't afford the fee, you can ask the court to consider waiving it. See the Application to Waive Filing Fees and Service Costs web page for information and forms.
6. You may be required to also file a certified copy of the birth certificate. Check with the court where you are filing for their requirements.
7. The court will schedule a hearing with the judge, and will notify the parties of the hearing date by mail.

If one or both parents don’t consent to the name change

1. Fill out the Petition to Change Name of Minor (form 700-00123). You can find the form at the bottom of this web page.
2. You must provide the name and address of both of the minor’s parents.
   • If you don’t know the address of one or both of the parents, you must describe the efforts you made to find an address. You may use the General Affidavit – Probate Division (form 700-0305) to describe your efforts. You can find the form at the bottom of this web page.
3. If the minor is 14 or older, they must consent to the name change. The minor signs in the Minor’s Consent if over 14 section of the Petition.
4. File the completed form with the probate division of the Superior Court in the county in which the minor lives. You can file in person, by mail, or by email. See the Filing Procedures web page for information about filing options.
5. There is a $150 fee to file a name change petition. If you can't afford the fee, you can ask the court to consider waiving it. See the Application to Waive Filing Fees and Service Costs web page for information and forms.
6. You may be required to also file a certified copy of the minor’s birth certificate. Check with the court where you are filing for their requirements.
7. You must have a copy of the petition served on the non-consenting parent. One common method is by certified mail with return receipt requested. Another option is to pay a sheriff or constable to serve the non-consenting parent. See Vermont Rule of Probate Procedure 4(d) for other service options. 
8. Fill out the Certificate of Service (form 600-00228) explaining how you served the non-consenting parent, and file it with the court. You can find the form at the bottom of this web page. You will also be required to provide proof of service.
   • If you aren’t able to serve a non-consenting parent, you may ask to serve them by an alternative method, such as publication in a newspaper. You may use the General Motion – Probate (form 700-00300) to make the request. You must describe the efforts you made to have them served. You may use the General Affidavit – Probate (form 700-0305) to describe your efforts. You can find the forms at the bottom of this web page.
9. The court will schedule a hearing with the judge, and will notify the parties of the hearing date by mail.

If the court grants the name change request, you are responsible for telling others about the new name. Here is a list of some of the institutions you might want to notify and documents you might want to change:

• Bank
• Birth certificate (Vermont | Other states)
• Employer
• Health care providers
• Insurance company
• Landlord or tenants
• Library
• Mortgage company
• Post office
• Public benefits agencies
• School
• Social Security Administration to change a social security card
• State and local taxes
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
• U.S. Department of State to change a passport
• Utilities, including power, internet, and phone
• Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles to get a new driver license or state ID, and vehicle registration
• Veterans Administration
• Voter registration