INSTRUCTIONS: PETITION FOR NAME CHANGE (Adult or Minor 14 or Older) CV-450

“Petition for Name Change (Adult or Minor 14 or Older) CV-450 Step 1”

In the heading provide your county of residence. Provide your full current name on the line below.

“Petition for Name Change (Adult or Minor 14 or Older) CV-450 Step 2”

Provide your current address including county, street address, city, state and zip in part 1. Provide your date of birth and state of birth in part 2. Provide the name that appears on your birth certificate in part 3. Provide the state where your birth certificate was issued in part 4.

“Petition for Name Change (Adult or Minor 14 or Older) CV-450 Step 3”

Provide your current job title in part 5. Check the appropriate box in section (a) or (b). Then, check the appropriate box in part 7. A judge is unlikely to allow the name change if you’re a convicted sex offender in Wisconsin or another state.

“Petition for Name Change (Adult or Minor 14 or Older) CV-450 Step 4”

Provide your requested change of name on the first line in part 8. Provide specific reasons for the request in the line provided below.

“Petition for Name Change (Adult or Minor 14 or Older) CV-450 Step 5”

Sign and date the form in front of Notary Public on the second page. You’ll also want to fill out Form CV-460 and CV-470. Make two copies of the Petition, Notice, and Order and file these forms with your County Clerk.

“Petition for Name Change (Adult or Minor 14 or Older) CV-450 Step 6”

The state of Wisconsin requires publication of Notice in a local newspaper. The court may require a specific newspaper, but publication can usually occur in a local newspaper that publishes at least once a week. You need to publish the notice once a week for at least three consecutive weeks. After the publication, the newspaper will provide you with an Affidavit of Publication. Return this form to the clerk before the date of the hearing.

“Petition for Name Change (Adult or Minor 14 or Older) CV-450 Step 7”

Attend the hearing and prepare to answer questions in front of the judge. If the judge approves the name change, you need to file the Order for Name Change and follow instructions from the clerk for obtain copies to change important documents.