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Get the decree changing your child’s name (when one parent asking)

If the judge approves your request to change your child’s name, you will get a Decree. That’s the document you will use to change your child’s name on all their legal documents. Once you have the signed Decree, you need to get a certified copy from the court clerk  to change your child's IDs and other legal documents.

How to get a signed and filed Decree

  • Get your Decree from the court clerk

    1. Get your Decree Changing Name (form NC-130) (link opens in a new tab) from the clerk if you don't already have one
      • If you did not have to go to a hearing, or you did go but you didn’t get the Decree at the hearing, go to the clerk’s office.
      • If you have the Decree, take it with you. If the clerk kept it when you filed, tell the clerk they have it.
    2. The clerk will process your Decree and return it to you, signed by the judge and filed.

  • Get a certified copy of your Decree

    • Get a certified copy of your Decree so you can change your child's legal ID documents.
      • This means the clerk adds an official stamp to your Decree that says the copy is true copy of the original. 
      • Depending on how many legal ID documents you want to update, you can ask for more than one certified Decree. 
    • 💵 There is a $40 fee for each certified copy. If you have a fee waiver, you will not have to pay this fee.

  • Change your child’s legal ID documents

    Take the certified copy of your Decree to the different agencies that issued the IDs you have to update for your child.

    For example, take it to the:

    • Social Security Office near you to change their social security card and records 

    • DMV to change their driver’s license or ID (if they have one)

    • Office of Vital Records to get an amended (updated) birth certificate  

    • US Passport office to change their passport

    ⚠️ Your child's records are not updated automatically with their new name. 
    You must take a copy of the name change Decree to each government agency where you need to update their ID or record.

    Get more information to update your child's records with every agency 

You are done with the court's name change process. You use your Decree to update your child's IDs and other legal documents.

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