Houston Name Change Attorneys

Houston Name Change Attorneys

Changing your name in Texas is generally a relatively simple process, but the requirements involved can differ depending on your reason for the name change. When a person is changing his or her name because of a marriage, then no additional court procedures are required so long as the name change section of the marriage certificate is completed.

In most other cases, a person will need to complete a petition and file it with the district clerk of the county where the person is requesting the name change. Under Texas Family Code § 45.103(a), a court must order a change of name for any person other than a person with a final felony conviction or a person subject to the sex offender registration requirements of Chapter 62 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, when the change is in the interest or to the benefit of the petitioner and in the interest of the public.

Are you hoping to change your name or your child’s name in Southeast Texas? You will want to contact The Gonzalez Law Group for assistance in ensuring all of your paperwork is properly handled. Contact us today to have our attorneys review your case and help you understand all of your legal options during a free initial consultation.

Overview of Name Changes in Harris County

Adult Name Changes in Texas

Texas Family Code § 45.101 establishes that an adult can file a petition requesting a change of name in the county of the adult’s place of residence. A petition to change the name of an adult must be verified and include:

  • the present name and place of residence of the petitioner;
  • the full name requested for the petitioner;
  • the reason the change in name is requested;
  • whether the petitioner has been the subject of a final felony conviction;
  • whether the petitioner is subject to the registration requirements of Chapter 62 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure; and
  • a legible and complete set of the petitioner’s fingerprints on a fingerprint card format acceptable to the Department of Public Safety and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

A petition also needs to include each of the following or a reasonable explanation of why the required information is not included:

  • the petitioner’s full name;
  • the petitioner’s sex;
  • the petitioner’s race;
  • the petitioner’s date of birth;
  • the petitioner’s driver’s license number for any driver’s license issued in the 10 years preceding the date of the petition;
  • the petitioner’s social security number; and
  • the petitioner’s assigned FBI number, state identification number, if known, or any other reference number in a criminal history record system that identifies the petitioner;
  • any offense above the grade of Class C misdemeanor for which the petitioner has been charged; and
  • the case number and the court if a warrant was issued or a charging instrument was filed or presented for an offense listed above.

Child Name Changes in Texas

Under Texas Family Code § 45.001, the parent, managing conservator, or guardian of a child may file a petition requesting a change of name of the child in the county where the child resides. A petition to change the name of a child must be verified and include:

  • the present name and place of residence of the child;
  • the reason a change of name is requested;
  • the full name requested for the child;
  • whether the child is subject to the continuing exclusive jurisdiction of a court under Chapter 155 of the Texas Family Code; and
  • whether the child is subject to the registration requirements of Chapter 62 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.

Under Texas Family Code § 45.002(b), a child’s written consent to the change of name must be attached to the petition when the child is 10 years of age or older.

Name Change Resources in Harris County

Texas Family Code | Chapter 45. Change Of Name — View the full text of state laws governing name changes in Texas. Subchapter A covers the change of name of a child while Subchapter B deals with the change of name for an adult. Learn more about petition requirements, waiver of citation, and liabilities and rights that are unaffected.

Name Changes In Texas | Texas Young Lawyers Association (TYLA) — The TYLA is a department of the State Bar of Texas for which all licensed Texas lawyers 36 years of age or younger or attorneys in their first five years of practice—regardless of age—are automatically members of TYLA. View a TYLA brochure discussing the name change process in Texas. You can learn more about filing a petition for a change of name, preparing and entering an order for change of name, and what happens after the order is entered.

Contact a Name Change Lawyer in Houston, TX

If you are hoping to change your name or a child’s name in Harris County, you could benefit from having legal representation. The Gonzalez Law Group assists individuals in communities throughout Harris County, Friendswood, Pearland, Seabrook, League City, Deer Park, Pasadena, La Porte, Galena Park, Baytown, and many others.

Our attorneys in Houston can help you legally change your name and resolve any related issues. You can have our lawyers provide a complete evaluation of your case when you call (832) 530-4070 or submit an online contact form to set up a free, confidential consultation.

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