INSTRUCTIONS: PETITION FOR NAME CHANGE OF A MINOR CHILD OR CHILDREN (DC 6:11(1))

Apart from the Petition, a parent or legal guardian will have to submit the following forms to the District Court as well:

· DC 6:11(a)

· DC 6:11(2)

· DC 6:11(3)

· DC 6:11(4)

· DC 6:11(5)

“Petition for Name Change of a Minor Child or Children DC 6:11(1) Step 1”

In the heading of the document, provide the name of the county, the current names of the minors, and the petitioner’s full name. In the paragraph below, provide the petitioner’s name again and the current names of the children.

“Petition for Name Change of a Minor Child or Children DC 6:11(1) Step 2”

Provide the petitioners address in part 1. Provide the current names of the minors in part 2 and their address in part 3.

“Petition for Name Change of a Minor Child or Children DC 6:11(1) Step 3”

Provide the minor’s date of birth in part 4. State the petitioner’s relationship to the minor in part 5, and state the name of the county where the minor’s reside in part 6.

“Petition for Name Change of a Minor Child or Children DC 6:11(1) Step 4”

In part 7, provide the current names of the minor’s in the first section and the requested names in the second section. List the other parent’s name in part 8 unless it is unknown.

“Petition for Name Change of a Minor Child or Children DC 6:11(1) Step 5”

Provide the current names of the minor’s in part 9 and reasons why you’re requesting a name change. Complete the rest of the form and provide your signature, address, and telephone number.

“Petition for Name Change of a Minor Child or Children DC 6:11(1) Step 6”

Publication of the name change is required in a local newspaper once a week for at least two consecutive weeks. The petitioning parent must send a copy of the Notice to Parent within 5 days after the first publication in the newspaper.

“Petition for Name Change of a Minor Child or Children DC 6:11(1) Step 7”

If the other parent consents to the name change, they need to complete a Consent form and bring it to the hearing.

“Petition for Name Change of a Minor Child or Children DC 6:11(1) Step 8”

Attend the hearing and ask the Clerk for more instructions.