Change Your Name in Indiana

In Indiana, you can change your name simply by using a different name consistently. However, if you want to change legal documents, such as your birth certificate, then you should obtain court approval for the change.[1] All you need to do is gather the correct forms online or from your courthouse and complete them. After running an advertisement in the newspaper for three weeks, you should attend your court hearing where the judge will approve or deny the name change. Remember to update all government records and ID, such as your passport or driver’s license.

Steps

Changing Your Last Name After Marriage

  1. Receive a packet of information. When you apply for a marriage license, the clerk should give you a packet of information. This packet will explain how you can change your Social Security card to reflect your new name. The packet should also include appropriate forms.[2]
    • If the clerk doesn’t give you anything, then be sure to ask.
    • If you want to change your name for another reason, then follow the procedures in Parts 2 and 3.
  2. Complete form SS-5. You must complete this form and submit it to the Social Security Administration (SSA). You should print neatly in black ink and provide all information requested. The form will ask for the following information:[3]
    • your new name
    • your current name and any previous names
    • your Social Security Number
    • your date of birth and place of birth
    • your ethnicity and race
    • your sex
    • parental information, such as name and Social Security Number
    • your contact information
  3. Get supporting documents. You need to submit supporting documents so that the Social Security Administration can process the name change. Obtain the following:[4]
    • proof of U.S. citizenship, such as a certified birth certificate or certificate of naturalization, if you have not already established your citizenship with the SSA
    • certified copy of your marriage record
    • proof of your identity, such as a valid state-issued ID or passport (don’t send photocopies)
  4. Submit the application. You should submit the information to your nearest Social Security office, which you can find by calling 1-800-772-1213 or visiting https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp. Hours are generally Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.[5]
    • If you want to mail the information, then ask for the mailing address when you call.
    • Since you have to submit original documents (such as your driver’s license), you might want to hand deliver your application to the office. Staff can review these documents and then hand them back to you.
  5. Receive your new card. After receiving your information, the Social Security office will process your application and return your documents to you. You should receive your new Social Security card within two to three weeks.[6]
    • Although the name will be different, your Social Security Number remains the same.

Filling Out the Forms to Change Your Name (Non-Marriage)

  1. Check if you can change your name. You generally can change your name if you are an adult. However, some limitations apply. You can only change your name if each of the following applies:[7]
    • you are not in prison or jail
    • you are at least 17 years old
    • you aren’t required to register as a sex offender
    • you are not attempting to evade creditors
  2. Decide if you want to complete electronic forms. You have the option of completing the forms electronically or by hand. You should choose the electronic forms if your handwriting is messy or if you prefer to type your answers. You will answer a questionnaire and then print off completed forms.
  3. Download the forms instead. You also have the option of printing out the forms and completing them by hand.
    • If for some reason you can’t print them off, then you should stop by your county courthouse and ask if there is a packet you can pick up.
  4. Provide requested information. You should provide all information requested. If something doesn’t apply, then type in “not applicable” or “N/A.” You must provide the following information:
    • the county where you are filing
    • your address
    • your phone and fax
    • your email address
    • your date of birth
    • your driver’s license number or state identification card number
    • previous names
    • any felony convictions
    • the reason you want to change your name
    • the new name that you want
    • your signature under penalty of perjury before a notary public
  5. Make copies of the completed packet. You will need to file the original and possibly copies with the court clerk in the county where you live. You will also need to keep one copy of the completed forms for your records.

Completing the Process to Change Your Name (Non-Marriage)

  1. File with the court clerk. Take your copies and the original set of forms with you to the courthouse. Ask the clerk to file. The clerk should process the forms and give you back one copy with the filing date stamped on it.[8]
    • You may have to pay a fee to file. Check with the court clerk for the amount and acceptable methods of payment.
  2. Pick up a hearing date. When you file, the clerk will set a hearing date. You should write in this date on your form titled Notice of Petition for Change of Name.[9] Also write down the date in a notebook or on a slip of paper so that you remember it.
  3. Visit your local newspaper. A notice of the name change must run in the local newspaper once a week for three weeks. The last day it runs must be at least 30 days before your hearing.[10] The purpose of the notice is to give the public a chance to object to the name change. Go to your local newspaper and ask to talk to the person who handles legal notices.
    • You should run the notice in the paper with the largest circulation in your county. If there is no paper in your county, then you should use a paper for an adjoining county.[11]
    • Contact your court clerk if you don’t know which paper to run the notice in.
    • You will probably have to pay to run the notice in the newspaper. The amount will vary by the newspaper.[12]
  4. File your proof of publication. After the notice runs in the newspaper, you will receive a proof of publication. You should attach it to your Notice of Filing Proof of Publication and file it with the court clerk.[13]
  5. Provide notice of filing if you have a criminal history. You must provide notice of filing to the sheriff and the prosecuting attorney of the county where you live if you have had a felony conviction within the past 10 years.[14]
    • You must also notify the Indiana State Police Central Repository.
    • Provide the notice at least 30 days before your hearing date.
  6. Attend your hearing. Be sure not to be late to your hearing. Give yourself enough time to find parking and to go through courthouse security. Remember to take the following with you to your hearing:
    • your current driver’s license or state identification card
    • your proof of birth, such as a certified birth certificate
    • copies of all documents filed with the court
    • copy of proof of publication
  7. Receive your decree. If the judge agrees to the name change, then you will get a signed decree. You can get a certified copy of the decree from the court clerk. Hold onto this decree since it is proof of the name change.[15]
  8. Notify government agencies and others. After the name change goes through, you should notify appropriate agencies and other parties that need to know your new name. For example, you should notify the following:[16]
    • Social Security Administration
    • your employer
    • all creditors
    • any agency from which you have an ID (driver’s license, passport, etc.)
    • your vital records office (if you want to change the name on your birth certificate)

Tips

Related Articles

References

  1. ↑ http://www.indianalegalservices.org/sites/indianalegalservices.org/files/Name%20Change%20%20-%20PDF%20Brochure_0.pdf
  2. ↑ https://www.indy.gov/activity/change-your-name
  3. ↑ https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ss-5.pdf
  4. ↑ https://www.indy.gov/activity/change-your-name
  5. ↑ https://www.indy.gov/activity/change-your-name
  6. ↑ https://www.indy.gov/activity/change-your-name
  7. ↑ http://www.in.gov/judiciary/selfservice/2338.htm
  8. ↑ http://www.in.gov/judiciary/selfservice/2338.htm
  9. ↑ http://www.in.gov/judiciary/selfservice/2338.htm
  10. ↑ http://www.in.gov/judiciary/selfservice/2338.htm
  11. ↑ http://www.indianalegalservices.org/sites/indianalegalservices.org/files/Name%20Change%20%20-%20PDF%20Brochure_0.pdf
  12. ↑ https://getlegal.indiana.edu/services/name-change.php
  13. ↑ http://www.in.gov/judiciary/selfservice/2338.htm
  14. ↑ http://www.in.gov/judiciary/selfservice/2338.htm
  15. ↑ http://www.indianalegalservices.org/sites/indianalegalservices.org/files/Name%20Change%20%20-%20PDF%20Brochure_0.pdf
  16. ↑ http://www.in.gov/judiciary/selfservice/2338.htm
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