Before your court day
Make sure you have to show up at the hearing
In some courts, the judge may order the change of name without a hearing as long as you followed all the steps required. If you forgot to ask the clerk about the hearing when you filed your papers, call the clerk’s office now to make sure you have to show up.
If your hearing was cancelled because the judge already signed an order changing your name (called a Decree), then you can pick up your Decree. You will likely need to get a certified copy of the order in order to change your IDs and other records.
Your day in court
You may need to wait before your hearing
Keep in mind that other people may have a hearing the same day as you. Your case may not be called right away. You may end up waiting a few minutes or even more than an hour before it’s your turn.
The judge calls your case
Walk to the front of the courtroom
When it is your turn, the judge will call your names and say your case number. You go up to the front. Someone, usually the bailiff or a clerk, will show you which side to take and tell you to sit down. The bailiff is usually the person in charge of keeping order in the courtroom.
Tell the judge your name and answer their questions
The judge will ask you to say your names. If someone who objected to your request is there or the other parent, they will also come up. Then, you may be asked to swear to tell the truth.
The judge may ask a few questions, like why you’re changing your name or whether you published the name change papers.
The judge makes a decision
The judge will mostly likely make a decision at your hearing. If you are missing information or proof of publication from the newspaper, the judge may ask you to come back another day.
The judge signs the Decree
Once the judge makes a decision, the judge will need to sign a court order, called a Decree in name change cases.
- If you turned in the Decree, form NC-130, when you filed your case, the judge will sign that and the clerk will file it.
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If you were told to hold on to the Decree until the hearing, turn it in to the judge to sign it and the clerk will file it.
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If you didn’t prepare a Decree ahead of time, you may be given one to prepare yourself at the hearing.
Make sure your Decree (form NC-130) says exactly what the judge ordered and has your new name spelled correctly.