What is a name change petition in Arkansas?

A name change petition is the court document an adult files in Arkansas to legally change their own name. You file a verified written petition that states your present name, the new name you want, and the reasons for the change, and the Circuit Court may grant it upon good reasons shown (Arkansas Code Section 9-2-101). Once the court signs the order, you are thereafter known and designated by the new name in legal matters (Arkansas Code Section 9-2-102).

How do I legally change my name in Arkansas?

In Arkansas you file a verified written petition for a name change in the Circuit Court for the county where you live, stating your present name, your requested new name, and your reasons. Arkansas does not require newspaper publication, and the court may change the name upon good reasons shown (Arkansas Code Section 9-2-101). After the judge signs the order, you use certified copies of it to update your records.

Do I have to publish my name change in a newspaper in Arkansas?

No. Arkansas does not require an adult to publish notice of a name change in a newspaper. Arkansas Code Section 9-2-101 provides for a verified written petition to the Circuit Court and a grant upon good reasons shown, with no publication step. This makes the Arkansas process faster and more private than in states that require weeks of newspaper notice. Local circuit court practice can still differ, so confirm any local filing steps with the clerk.

Which court handles an adult name change in Arkansas?

An adult name change in Arkansas is heard by the Circuit Court. By statute, upon the application of any person within the jurisdiction of the court, the circuit court has power upon good reasons shown to alter or change the person's name (Arkansas Code Section 9-2-101). You file in the circuit court for the county where you live.

Is there a residency requirement to change my name in Arkansas?

Arkansas Code Section 9-2-101 lets the circuit court change the name of any person within the court's jurisdiction and does not set a fixed number of months you must have lived in Arkansas before filing. In practice you file in the circuit court for the county where you live. Confirm local venue and any filing requirements with the circuit court clerk in your county.

Do I need a court hearing to change my name in Arkansas?

Not necessarily. Arkansas Code Section 9-2-101 authorizes the Circuit Court to change the name upon good reasons shown and does not require a hearing by statute. Whether the judge sets a short hearing can vary by county and judge. If a hearing is held, you present the reasons stated in your verified petition.

Can Arkansas keep my name change confidential for safety?

Yes. Arkansas Code Section 9-2-101 directs that confidential identifying information be omitted or redacted from the case record, and it provides that the court shall seal the file on clear and convincing evidence presented by the petitioner that they would otherwise be endangered. This gives Arkansas petitioners with safety concerns, such as survivors of domestic violence, a way to keep their information out of the public record.

What do I do after an Arkansas court grants my name change?

Once the Circuit Court signs the order, you are thereafter known and designated by the new name in legal matters (Arkansas Code Section 9-2-102). Order several certified copies from the clerk. Use them to update your Social Security record first, then your Arkansas driver's license or ID, your passport, and banks, employers, and other accounts. The clerk also delivers the order to the Arkansas Crime Information Center, Arkansas Driver Control, and the Division of Vital Records on request. Keep at least one certified copy for your records.

Arkansas Name Change Petition

In Arkansas an adult files a verified written petition in the Circuit Court, which may change the name upon good reasons shown. No newspaper publication is required. Attorney review available.

Introduction

A name change petition is the court document an adult files to legally take a new name, and Arkansas requires no newspaper publication, letting a Circuit Court judge grant it upon good reasons shown, after which you are known by the new name in legal matters. In Arkansas you file a verified written petition in the Circuit Court, which has power to change the name of any person within the court's jurisdiction upon good reasons shown (Arkansas Code Section 9-2-101). Arkansas does not require you to publish notice of an adult name change in a newspaper; the statute sets no publication step, which makes the Arkansas process faster and more private than in states that require weeks of newspaper notice. For safety, Arkansas Code Section 9-2-101 directs that confidential identifying information be redacted from the case record and lets the court seal the file on clear and convincing evidence that the petitioner would otherwise be endangered. After the circuit court signs the order, you are known and designated by the new name in legal matters (Arkansas Code Section 9-2-102), and you use certified copies to update Social Security, your Arkansas driver's license or ID, and other records. DocDraft builds your Arkansas name change petition from your facts, with attorney review available before you file.

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Key Things to Know

1
A name change petition lets an adult take a new legal name upon good reasons shown to the Circuit Court; Arkansas requires no newspaper publication, and once the judge signs the order you are known by the new name in legal matters.
2
You file a verified written petition in the Circuit Court, which has power upon good reasons shown to change the name of any person within the court's jurisdiction (Arkansas Code Section 9-2-101).
3
Arkansas does not require newspaper publication for an adult name change. Arkansas Code Section 9-2-101 sets no publication step, so you do not have to publish notice before the court can grant the change.
4
For safety, Arkansas Code Section 9-2-101 directs that confidential identifying information be redacted from the case record, and the court shall seal the file on clear and convincing evidence that you would otherwise be endangered.
5
Arkansas Code Section 9-2-101 sets no fixed length of time you must live in the state before filing; the petition is filed in the circuit court for the county where you live.
6
The statute lets the circuit court change the name upon good reasons shown and does not require a hearing by statute; whether a hearing is held can vary by county.
7
After the order is signed you are known by the new name in legal matters (Arkansas Code Section 9-2-102); order certified copies to update Social Security, your Arkansas driver's license or ID, and other records. The filing fee is set by the court and a fee waiver is available if you cannot afford it.

Key decisions before you file

Before you file a Name Change Petition in Arkansas, a few decisions shape the document: which option to choose and what each one means. The Name Change Petition guide walks through them.

Open the Name Change Petition guide

Customize your Name Change Petition Template with DocDraft

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF [COUNTY] COUNTY, ARKANSAS

In re the Change of Name of [CURRENT LEGAL NAME], Petitioner.

Case No. ______________

VERIFIED PETITION FOR CHANGE OF NAME (Arkansas Code Section 9-2-101)

Petitioner, being duly sworn, respectfully states:

Petitioner. Petitioner's present legal name is [CURRENT LEGAL NAME]. Petitioner is over 18 years of age and resides at [STREET ADDRESS], [CITY], [COUNTY] County, Arkansas.
Jurisdiction and venue. Petitioner is within the jurisdiction of this Court, and this verified petition is filed in the Circuit Court for the county where petitioner resides, as provided by Arkansas Code Section 9-2-101. Arkansas law sets no fixed length of residency before filing.
Present and proposed name. Petitioner asks the Court to alter and change petitioner's name from [CURRENT LEGAL NAME] to [REQUESTED NEW NAME].
Good reasons. Good reasons for the requested change exist, namely [REASON, for example to use a name petitioner has long gone by, following a divorce, or to align petitioner's legal name with petitioner's identity]. This verified petition embodies the reasons for the application as required by Arkansas Code Section 9-2-101.
Good faith. This petition is made in good faith. The change is not sought to defraud any creditor, to evade any legal obligation, judgment, or criminal record, or for any fraudulent or unlawful purpose.
No publication required. Arkansas does not require newspaper publication of an adult name change, and Arkansas Code Section 9-2-101 sets no publication step. Petitioner therefore asks the Court to grant this petition upon the good reasons shown, without newspaper notice.
Confidential information and safety. Petitioner has omitted or redacted confidential identifying information from the records filed with the Court, as Arkansas Code Section 9-2-101 requires. [If applicable: Petitioner further asks the Court to seal the file because clear and convincing evidence shows petitioner would otherwise be endangered, as permitted by Arkansas Code Section 9-2-101.]
Effect. Petitioner understands that upon entry of the order, petitioner will thereafter be known and designated by the new name in legal matters, as provided by Arkansas Code Section 9-2-102.

WHEREFORE, petitioner asks the Court to enter an order changing petitioner's name from [CURRENT LEGAL NAME] to [REQUESTED NEW NAME], and for all other proper relief.

Dated: [DATE]

[CURRENT LEGAL NAME], Petitioner

VERIFICATION

I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of Arkansas that the foregoing petition is true and correct.

Dated: [DATE]

[CURRENT LEGAL NAME], Petitioner

Note: This is an Arkansas adult name change petition drawn from Arkansas Code Section 9-2-101 and Section 9-2-102. Arkansas sets the court (Circuit Court), requires a verified written petition granted upon good reasons shown, and does not require newspaper publication; it instead protects safety through redaction of confidential information and sealing of the file on clear and convincing evidence of danger. The filing fee is set by the court and a fee waiver is available; confirm current local forms with your circuit court clerk. For the generic template and other states, see the Name Change Petition hub.

Arkansas Requirements for Name Change Petition

Circuit Court With Jurisdiction Over You
An adult name change in Arkansas is filed in the Circuit Court. Upon the application of any person within the jurisdiction of the court, the circuit court has power, upon good reasons shown, to alter or change the name of the person (Arkansas Code Section 9-2-101). You file in the circuit court for the county where you live.
Verified Written Petition
The application must be made by a verified petition in writing that embodies the reasons for the change (Arkansas Code Section 9-2-101). The petition states your present legal name, the new name you request, and the good reasons for the change, and it is verified under oath.
Residency and Venue
Arkansas Code Section 9-2-101 authorizes the circuit court to change the name of any person within the court's jurisdiction and sets no fixed durational residency period before filing. In practice you file in the circuit court for the county where you live; confirm local venue with the circuit court clerk.
No Newspaper Publication Required
Arkansas does not require newspaper publication of an adult name change. Arkansas Code Section 9-2-101 provides for a verified written petition and a grant upon good reasons shown, with no publication step, so you do not have to publish notice before the court can grant the change. Local circuit court practice can still differ.
Good Reasons and Good Faith
The statutory standard is good reasons shown, and the verified petition must embody the reasons for the change (Arkansas Code Section 9-2-101). State that the change is made in good faith and not to defraud a creditor, evade a legal obligation, judgment, or criminal record, or for any unlawful purpose.
Confidentiality and Sealing for Safety
Arkansas Code Section 9-2-101 directs that confidential identifying information be omitted or redacted from the case record, and it provides that the court shall order the file sealed upon clear and convincing evidence presented by the petitioner that they would otherwise be endangered. This protects petitioners with safety concerns, such as survivors of domestic violence.
Hearing or Order on Good Reasons Shown
Arkansas Code Section 9-2-101 lets the circuit court change the name upon good reasons shown and does not require a hearing by statute. Whether the judge sets a short hearing can vary by county and judge; if one is held, you present the reasons stated in your verified petition.
Certified Copies and After the Order
Once the order is entered you are thereafter known and designated by the new name in legal matters (Arkansas Code Section 9-2-102). Order certified copies from the clerk to update Social Security, your Arkansas driver's license or ID, your passport, and other records; the clerk also delivers the order to the Arkansas Crime Information Center, Arkansas Driver Control, and the Division of Vital Records on request. The filing fee is set by the court and a fee waiver is available.

Introduction

Key Things to Know

Key decisions before you file

Customize your Name Change Petition Template with DocDraft

Arkansas Requirements for Name Change Petition

Circuit Court With Jurisdiction Over You

Verified Written Petition

Residency and Venue

No Newspaper Publication Required

Good Reasons and Good Faith

Confidentiality and Sealing for Safety

Hearing or Order on Good Reasons Shown

Certified Copies and After the Order

Frequently Asked Questions