Vermont Name Change Petition
In Vermont an adult files a name change petition in the Probate Division of the Superior Court in the county where they live, and no newspaper publication is required. Attorney review available.
Introduction
A name change petition is the court document an adult files to legally change their own name, and once the court allows the change the new name becomes the person's legal name. In Vermont you file the petition in the Probate Division of the Superior Court of the district (county) where you live (15 V.S.A. Section 811 and Section 813). Vermont does not require newspaper publication for an adult name change; the old publication section, 15 V.S.A. Section 815, was repealed, so there is no order to show cause or newspaper notice step. Instead, a person of age and sound mind signs and acknowledges the change-of-name instrument before the judge of the Probate Division and files it. Before allowing the change, the Probate Court asks the Department of Public Safety whether your name is on the Sex Offender Registry, and a registrant cannot change their name unless the court finds a compelling purpose (15 V.S.A. Section 817 and 13 V.S.A. Section 5402). After the change is allowed, Vermont provides for amendment of the birth certificate (15 V.S.A. Section 816), and you use certified copies to update Social Security, your Vermont driver license, and other records. DocDraft builds your Vermont name change petition from your facts, with attorney review available before you file.
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Key Things to Know
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A name change petition is the court document an adult files to legally change their own name; when the court allows the change, that new name becomes your legal name.
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You file the petition in the Probate Division of the Superior Court of the district, meaning the county, where you live (15 V.S.A. Section 811 and Section 813).
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Vermont does not require newspaper publication for an adult name change; the former publication section, 15 V.S.A. Section 815, was repealed, so there is no order to show cause or newspaper notice step.
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A person of age and sound mind signs and acknowledges the change-of-name instrument before the judge of the Probate Division of the Superior Court, and the instrument is then filed with that court (15 V.S.A. Section 811 and Section 813).
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Before allowing the change, the Probate Court asks the Department of Public Safety whether your name is on the Sex Offender Registry, and a registrant cannot change their name unless the court finds a compelling purpose (15 V.S.A. Section 817 and 13 V.S.A. Section 5402).
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Vermont sets no fixed durational residency period in the statute; the requirement is that you reside in the district (county) where you file, and the petition uses the Vermont Judiciary form Petition of Adult to Change Name.
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After the change is allowed, Vermont provides for amendment of the birth certificate (15 V.S.A. Section 816); order certified copies to update Social Security, your Vermont driver 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 Vermont, a few decisions shape the document: which option to choose and what each one means. The Name Change Petition guide walks through them.
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Vermont Requirements for Name Change Petition
Probate Division in Your District of Residence
An adult name change in Vermont is handled by the Probate Division of the Superior Court. The change-of-name instrument is signed and acknowledged before the judge of the Probate Division of the Superior Court of the district in which the person resides (15 V.S.A. Section 811) and is filed in that Probate Division (15 V.S.A. Section 813).
Residency and Venue
You file in the Probate Division of the Superior Court of the district (county) where you live, and the instrument is filed in the district in which the person resides (15 V.S.A. Section 813). Vermont sets no fixed durational residency period; the requirement is that you are a person of age and sound mind who resides in the district where you file.
No Newspaper Publication Required
Vermont does not require newspaper publication for an adult name change. The former publication section, 15 V.S.A. Section 815, was repealed, so there is no order to show cause or newspaper notice step. You sign and acknowledge the change-of-name instrument before the judge of the Probate Division and file it (15 V.S.A. Section 811 and Section 813).
Present Name and Proposed New Name
The petition states your present legal name and the exact new name you are requesting. Under the statutory form, a person of age and sound mind declares the name by which they will hereafter be known and called (15 V.S.A. Section 811), and the court allows the change from the present name to the proposed name.
Reason for the Change
State the reason for the requested name change. Vermont uses the Judiciary form Petition of Adult to Change Name, filed in the Probate Division of the Superior Court of your district (15 V.S.A. Section 811 and Section 813). A person of age and sound mind may change their name for any lawful reason.
Good Faith and No Fraud
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. Vermont's statutory limit is the Sex Offender Registry gate: the court cannot allow a registrant to change their name absent a compelling purpose (15 V.S.A. Section 817).
Sex Offender Registry Consultation
Upon receipt of the change-of-name form, the Probate Court requests the Department of Public Safety to determine whether your name is on the Sex Offender Registry established by 13 V.S.A. Section 5402. If your name is on the Registry, the court shall not allow the change unless it finds, after letting the Department appear, a compelling purpose (15 V.S.A. Section 817). No fingerprinting is required.
Certified Copies and Birth Certificate
After the change is allowed, order certified copies of the order from the court. Vermont provides for amendment of the birth certificate (15 V.S.A. Section 816). Use certified copies to update Social Security, your Vermont driver license or ID, your passport, and other records. The filing fee is set by the court and a fee waiver is available.