What is the criteria that must be met before applying for a Name Change?

  1. must live in Cook County for at least 6 months; otherwise you must apply in the County you live in,
  2. must have no convictions or any felonies, otherwise you must wait 10 years to change your name.
  3. cannot apply if you have been convicted of any felonies or misdemeanors that you must register with the Sex Offenders Office.

What is the procedure for a name change?

  1. You must complete the Name Change Form with the Affidavit on the 3rd page, the Judgment form, and the Cover Sheet. The Affidavit must
    be signed by someone who knows you (not a relative) and notarized before submitting all forms. You may obtain the forms on the Clerk’s
    website by going to www.cookcountyclerkofcourt.org. Click on court forms, scroll down to County Div., click, and scroll down to the forms.
  2. Once forms are completed, take them (Name Change, Judgment, and Cover Sheet) — including the notarized Affidavit on the Petition--to
    any one of the outlying 5 Circuit Court district offices: Rolling Meadows, Skokie, Maywood, Bridgeview, or Markham.
  3. Or, take the forms to the Circuit Court in the Richard J. Daley Center, 50 W. Washington, Room 1202 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:
    30 p.m. If you need assistance, there is an Advisory Help Desk in Room 1303 to answer any questions.
  4. Once forms are completed, pay the fee--at this time it is $334.00.
  5. You will be given a court day, judge, room number and time to appear in court at least 8 weeks from the date of filing.
  6. According to State Law, you must publish your name in the newspaper for three (3) consecutive weeks for a fee (check with the newspaper
    as to the fee).
  7. You must bring the publication piece with you to court.
  8. You must bring the old birth certificate with you to court.
  9. You must bring the Judgment form with you to court.

For adult name changes – the name change must be published in a legal publication for three consecutive weeks and filed in court on the date
given (8 weeks out)

For child name changes – When both parents are in agreement to the Name change, and all forms are completed and filed, the judge may hear
the case the day of filing. The judge will grant, deny or continue the name change.

For the child�s name change – If one parent cannot be located or the one parent is not in agreement with the name change, then the name
change must be published for three consecutive weeks and the name change filed in court on the date given.

For family name changes – publish the family name change in a legal publication for three consecutive weeks and file the family name change (all
names on one petition) in court on the date given for one fee.

Why does a name change have to be published?

Publishing a name change is intended to combat petitioners looking to avoid creditors or acting under other fraudulent motives.

How much does a name change cost?

The filing fee for a name change is $334.00 (effective 4/10). The publication fee varies depending on the publication used.

Does a legal name change have to be filed when taking a spouse’s name or resuming use of a maiden name following a divorce?

In case of marriage, no. A copy of your marriage license will suffice. In the case of a divorce, usually the use of a woman’s maiden name is
granted in the divorce decree. If so, a certified copy of the divorce decree is the only documentation needed. If not, the party in question has two
years to amend the divorce decree. After two years, the party in question must go through the name change procedure.
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