Wyoming Name Change Petition
In Wyoming an adult files a name change petition in the district court of the county where they live, after at least six months of Wyoming residency, and gives public notice by publication unless a confidentiality exception applies. Attorney review available.
Introduction
A name change petition is the court document an adult files to legally change their own name, and once a judge signs the order that new name becomes the person's legal name. In Wyoming you file the verified petition in the district court of the county where you live, and you must have been a bona fide resident of Wyoming for at least six months immediately before filing (Wyoming Statutes Section 1-25-101 and Section 1-25-102). The petition sets out your full name, the name you want, a concise reason for the change, your place of birth, and your residence. Wyoming requires public notice of the petition to be given by publication, in the same manner as service by publication upon nonresidents in civil actions, so anyone with an objection can be heard (Wyoming Statutes Section 1-25-103). Publication is not required if the court has entered a confidentiality order under Wyoming Statutes Section 35-21-112 or another order keeping your residence information confidential, or upon good cause shown. If the court is satisfied the change is proper and not detrimental to the interests of any other person, it orders the change and records the proceedings (Wyoming Statutes Section 1-25-101). After the order is signed, you use certified copies to update Social Security, your Wyoming driver license, and other records. DocDraft builds your Wyoming 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; in Wyoming you must have lived in the state at least six months before filing, and after public notice by publication a judge's order makes the new name legal.
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You file the verified petition in the district court of the county where you live (Wyoming Statutes Section 1-25-101).
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You must have been a bona fide resident of Wyoming for at least six months immediately before filing the petition (Wyoming Statutes Section 1-25-102).
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Wyoming requires public notice of the petition by publication, in the same manner as service by publication upon nonresidents in civil actions (Wyoming Statutes Section 1-25-103); confirm the exact publication schedule with the district court clerk.
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Publication is not required if the court has entered a confidentiality order under Wyoming Statutes Section 35-21-112 or another order keeping your residence information confidential, or upon good cause shown (Wyoming Statutes Section 1-25-103).
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The court orders the change only if it is satisfied the change is proper and not detrimental to the interests of any other person; Wyoming Statutes Section 1-25-101 through Section 1-25-103 do not require a criminal background check for an adult name change.
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After the order is signed, order certified copies from the clerk to update Social Security, your Wyoming driver license or ID, your passport, 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 Wyoming, 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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Wyoming Requirements for Name Change Petition
District Court in Your County of Residence
An adult name change in Wyoming is filed in the district court. A person desiring to change their name may petition the district court of the county of the petitioner's residence for the desired change (Wyoming Statutes Section 1-25-101). File in the district court of the county where you live.
Six-Month Wyoming Residency
You must have been a bona fide resident of Wyoming for at least six months immediately preceding filing the petition (Wyoming Statutes Section 1-25-102). The verified petition must also state your place of residence and the length of time you have been a bona fide resident of the county where you file (Wyoming Statutes Section 1-25-101).
Verified Petition Contents
The petition must be verified by affidavit and set forth your full name, the name desired, a concise statement of the reason for the change, your place of birth, your place of residence, and the length of time you have been an actual bona fide resident of the county where the petition is filed (Wyoming Statutes Section 1-25-101).
Public Notice by Publication
Wyoming requires public notice of the petition to be given by publication, in the same manner as service by publication upon nonresidents in civil actions (Wyoming Statutes Section 1-25-103). The statute sets the manner by cross-reference rather than stating a number of weeks, so confirm the exact publication schedule with the district court clerk. Publication is not required in confidentiality cases or upon good cause shown.
Present Name and Desired New Name
The petition must state your full present legal name and the exact new name you are requesting (Wyoming Statutes Section 1-25-101). The court changes the name from the present name to the desired name in its order if it is satisfied the change is proper and not detrimental to others.
Good Faith and No Detriment to Others
State the concise reason for the change and that it is made in good faith and not to defraud a creditor, evade a legal obligation, judgment, or criminal record, or for any unlawful purpose. A Wyoming court orders the change only if satisfied it is proper and not detrimental to the interests of any other person (Wyoming Statutes Section 1-25-101).
Confidentiality Option for Safety
If the court has entered a confidentiality order under Wyoming Statutes Section 35-21-112 or another order allowing you to keep residence information confidential, your address, city or state of residence, and other residence-identifying information remain confidential, and public notice by publication is not required (Wyoming Statutes Section 1-25-101 and Section 1-25-103). Publication may also be excused upon good cause shown.
Court Order, Records, and Certified Copies
If satisfied the change is proper and not detrimental to others, the court orders the change and records the proceedings in the records of the court (Wyoming Statutes Section 1-25-101). Order certified copies from the clerk and use them to update Social Security, your Wyoming driver license or ID, your passport, and other records. The filing fee is set by the court and a fee waiver is available.