INSTRUCTIONS: GA PETITION FOR ADULT NAME CHANGE—Fulton County

“GA Petition for Adult Name Change—Fulton County Step 1”

Use your current legal name in all places that call for “Petitioner.” Leave the Civil Action File No. blank. The clerk will fill out this part.

“GA Petition for Adult Name Change—Fulton County Step 2”

The rest of the Petition is straightforward. Apart from the Petition, you’ll also be required to fill out a Verification form and Notice of Petition to Change Name form.

“GA Petition for Adult Name Change—Fulton County Step 3”

Make copies of all the forms. Bring the originals and copies of the forms with you to the Clerk’s Office in Fulton County. There are not statewide forms in Georgia, so these forms are specific to Fulton County. You will have to pay filing fees, but if you cannot afford filing fees, you can file a Poverty Affidavit.

“GA Petition for Adult Name Change—Fulton County Step 4”

Unless the requirement is waived by the court, you need to publish notice once a week for at least four consecutive weeks in the Fulton County Daily Report. After notice is published, the newspaper will mail you proof of the notice.

“GA Petition for Adult Name Change—Fulton County Step 5”

If 30 days have passed and notice has been published for four consecutive weeks, you can ask the court for a Decree of Name Change. You’ll have to provide the following information for the Decree:

· name

· county of residence

· date of birth

· your new name

· the reason you want to change your name

“GA Petition for Adult Name Change—Fulton County Step 6”

Ask the judge’s secretary you are at the court for a change of name. A formal hearing is not required in Fulton County. The judge will have you swear the truth within your forms and statements, and the judge will sign the Decree.

“GA Petition for Adult Name Change—Fulton County Step 7”

Return the Decree to the clerk and ask for a certified copy. There is a small fee and additional fees for additional copies.

“GA Petition for Adult Name Change—Fulton County Step 8”

If you want to change your birth certificate, you need to provide a certified copy of the Decree to the Department of Vital Records.