Legally Change You Name in Los Angeles. We Handle the Entire Process for You
Court-Ordered Name Changes for Adults, Minors, and Gender Identity in Los Angeles County.
Los Angeles
Name Change Attorney
Legally changing your name in California requires filing a petition with the Superior Court, publishing a notice in a local newspaper, attending a court hearing, and obtaining a court order that you then use to update your identification, records, and documents. The process involves specific filing requirements, deadlines, and procedural steps that vary depending on your circumstances and the county in which you file. At The Law Offices of Arash Hashemi, we handle the entire name change process on your behalf, from preparing and filing the petition through obtaining the final court order. Contact our office today for a free, confidential consultation.
Reasons People Legally Change Their Name in Los Angeles
California courts grant name change petitions for a wide range of personal, professional, and legal reasons. There is no requirement to justify a name change to the court beyond confirming that the request is not made for fraudulent purposes. Common reasons our clients seek a legal name change include:
- Marriage or divorce, including returning to a former name after dissolution of marriage
- Gender identity and transition, including aligning a legal name with gender identity
- Personal preference, including simplifying a difficult name or adopting a name used informally
- Religious conversion or adoption of a religious name
- Cultural identity, including adopting a name that reflects heritage or family tradition
- Professional reasons, including adopting a name used in a professional or creative context
- Escaping a connection to a former identity following a significant life change
- Correcting a name that was recorded incorrectly on a birth certificate or other official document
- Adoption, including an adoptee seeking to take the name of their adoptive family
- Parental name alignment, including a child taking a stepparent’s name following remarriage
Regardless of the reason, the legal process is the same. Our firm handles name change petitions for adults, minors, and individuals seeking a name change in connection with gender identity recognition, and we guide every client through the process efficiently and correctly the first time.
The Adult Name Change Process in California
An adult seeking a legal name change in Los Angeles County must follow the procedure set out in California Code of Civil Procedure § 1275 through § 1279.6. Our name change attorney handles every step of this process on your behalf.
Step 1: Prepare and File the Petition
The process begins with preparing a petition for name change on the court-required forms, including the Petition for Change of Name (NC-100), the Civil Case Cover Sheet (CM-010), and the Order to Show Cause for Change of Name (NC-120). The petition must be filed in the Superior Court of California in the county where you reside. In Los Angeles County, petitions are filed at the appropriate courthouse based on your address. Our firm prepares all required forms accurately and files them on your behalf.
Step 2: Publication of the Order to Show Cause
California law requires that the Order to Show Cause be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the county for four consecutive weeks before the hearing date. This publication requirement exists to give any interested party the opportunity to object to the name change. Our firm identifies a qualifying newspaper, arranges publication, and obtains proof of publication to file with the court before the hearing.
Step 3: The Court Hearing
After the publication period is complete, the petitioner appears before a judge at a scheduled hearing. In most uncontested name change cases, the hearing is brief and the judge grants the petition on the same day. Our firm prepares every client for what to expect at the hearing and appears alongside them to present the petition to the court.
Step 4: The Decree Changing Name
When the judge grants the petition, the court issues a Decree Changing Name (NC-130). This document is the legal basis for updating all of your identification and records. Our firm obtains certified copies of the decree for you and provides guidance on the sequence of steps to update your Social Security record, driver’s license, passport, financial accounts, and other documents.
Name Change for a Minor Child in Los Angeles
A name change petition for a minor child in California requires the consent of both parents or legal guardians, or a court order dispensing with the consent of an absent, unknown, or non-consenting parent. The process is more involved than an adult name change when a non-consenting parent is in the picture, and the court applies a best interests of the child standard when evaluating any contested petition.
When Both Parents Consent: Both parents or legal guardians must sign the petition or provide written consent. The court will typically grant the petition at the hearing without requiring extensive evidence on the child’s best interests. Our firm prepares the petition, obtains the required signatures, and handles the filing and publication on your behalf.
When One Parent Objects: The court must determine whether the name change serves the best interests of the child. California courts weigh factors including the child’s own preference if old enough to express one, how long the child has used their current name, the strength of the child’s relationship with each parent, and whether the change would cause confusion or embarrassment. Our firm represents parents seeking to change a child’s name over the other parent’s objection and builds a thorough evidentiary presentation in support of the petition.
When a Parent Cannot Be Located: The petitioning parent must show the court that reasonable efforts were made to locate the absent parent before the consent requirement can be waived. Our firm advises on exactly what steps satisfy that standard and prepares all documentation the court requires to proceed without the absent parent’s involvement.
Name Change for Gender Identity
California law provides a streamlined process for individuals seeking a name change in connection with their gender identity. Under California Code of Civil Procedure § 1277.5, petitioners seeking a name change to conform their name to their gender identity are exempt from the publication requirement that applies to standard name change petitions. This means the process is faster, more private, and less expensive than a standard adult name change.
In addition to the name change, California allows individuals to petition for a change of gender recognition on their birth certificate, driver’s license, and state identification documents. Our firm handles gender recognition name change petitions and coordinates the process for updating identity documents following the court order. Every aspect of the representation is handled with complete confidentiality and respect.
Name Change After a Criminal Conviction in California
California imposes additional restrictions on name change petitions filed by individuals with certain criminal convictions. Under Code of Civil Procedure § 1279.5, the following individuals face specific requirements or restrictions:
- Registered sex offenders are required to notify law enforcement of a name change and face heightened scrutiny from the court, which has discretion to deny the petition if it determines the change would adversely affect public safety
- Individuals required to register as arsonists face similar notification and scrutiny requirements
- Individuals currently incarcerated in state prison must file their petition in the superior court of the county in which they are incarcerated and obtain permission from the court before proceeding
- Individuals on probation or parole may be required to notify their supervising officer of a name change petition
Our firm advises clients on the specific requirements applicable to their situation and prepares petitions that address the court’s concerns and maximize the likelihood of approval.
Why Clients in Los Angeles Trust The Law Offices of Arash Hashemi with Their Name Change
A legal name change involves specific court procedures, filing deadlines, and publication requirements that must be completed correctly to avoid delays or rejection. Our firm handles the entire process so you do not have to navigate it alone.
We Handle the Entire Process on Your Behalf
From preparing and filing the petition through arranging publication, attending the hearing, and obtaining certified copies of the decree, our firm manages every step. Most clients do not need to make a single court filing themselves. We handle it so the process is straightforward and completed correctly the first time.
Straightforward Pricing, No Surprises
Name change petitions have predictable costs including court filing fees and publication fees. Our firm provides clear pricing at the outset so you know exactly what the process will cost before we begin. There are no hidden fees and no surprises.
Experience Across Every Type of Name Change Petition
Our firm handles name change petitions for adults, minors, individuals seeking a name change in connection with gender identity, and individuals with prior criminal convictions who face additional court requirements. Whatever your situation, our firm has handled it and can guide you through the process efficiently.
One Attorney. Direct Access. Clear Communication.
At The Law Offices of Arash Hashemi, Attorney Hashemi handles your matter personally. You will always know the status of your petition, what comes next, and what to expect at the hearing. You will never be left without answers or passed to a paralegal.
Contact a Los Angeles Name Change Attorney Today
If you are ready to legally change your name in Los Angeles, our firm is ready to handle the process for you. Whether you are changing your name after a marriage or divorce, for gender identity, for personal reasons, or for any other lawful purpose, we will prepare your petition correctly, manage every step of the filing and publication process, and appear with you at your hearing. During your free consultation, we will explain the process, the timeline, the costs, and everything you need to know before we begin. Call our firm immediately or schedule a confidential consultation with Attorney Hashemi using our secure online system.
Schedule a Free Consultation:
- Phone: (310) 448-1529
- Email: Info@hashemilaw.com
- Address: 11845 W Olympic Blvd #520, Los Angeles, CA 90064
- Office Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM, with flexible scheduling options available, including weekend appointments.
We are conveniently located in the Westside Towers, serving clients seeking name changes across Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, the San Fernando Valley, Pasadena, Long Beach, and all surrounding communities. Contact our name change attorney today and let us handle the process for you from start to finish.