How Can I Legally Change My Name?
- If newly married, you can use your marriage certificate to change your name with the Social Security Administration, Department of Motor Vehicles, your employer, bank, etc.
- If recently divorced, your Divorce Decree is proof that you may resume use of a prior name - if and only if the Judgment specifies the pre-marital surname.
- Ex: ORDERED that the Plaintiff may resume use of her pre-marital surname, specifically, _____;
- Otherwise, you need to obtain a Supreme Court Name Change Order in the county where you live.
What Forms Do I Need?
You must neatly fill out the following forms in black ink:
Adult Name Changes:
Child Name Changes:
- Child Name Change Petition
- Child Name Change Consent
- Child Name Change Order
- The Petitions and Consent must be signed in front of a Notary Public.
- The Broome County Clerk’s Office provides free Notary services (valid government-issued photo ID required).
- The Petitions and Consent must be signed in front of a Notary Public.
Do I Need Anything Else?
Yes, you must bring an original or certified copy of your birth certificate. This becomes part of your name change record. We will make a copy of it and return the original to you.
After you’ve been granted a legal name changed, you need to ask the New York State Department of Health’s Vital Records Correction Unit to issue you a new birth certificate. Continue reading for more info on how to obtain a new birth certificate.
How Do I Write the Caption on My Application for Index Number & RJI?
Write your caption exactly as it appears on your Petition for Name Change.
Adult Name Changes:
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
COUNTY OF BROOME
______________________________________
In the Matter of the Application of
YOUR CURRENT NAME HERE, Petitioner
For Leave to Change (His/Her) Name To:
YOUR PROPOSED NAME HERE
_______________________________________
Child Name Change:
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
COUNTY OF BROOME
_________________________________________
In the Matter of the Application of
PARENT’S NAME, as Parent and Natural Guardian
For Leave to Change the Name of
CHILD’S CURRENT NAME to CHILD’S NEW NAME
_________________________________________
How Much Does It Cost?
- $210 to file the Application for Index Number.
- Accepted forms of payment are cash, check and credit card (all cards except Discover).
- Checks should be made payable to the Broome County Clerk.
- Certified copies of the final Name Change Order are $5.20 each.
What if I Can’t Afford the Filing Fees?
If you have extreme financial hardship and are unable to pay the $210 filing fee, you can apply for a fee waiver by filing an Fee Wavier Application. The Judge will determine if you meet the qualifications.
- Instructions: www.nycourts.gov/legacyPDFs/courts/6jd/forms/SRForms/ifp_howto.pdf
- Form: https://w2.nycourts.gov/fee-waiver-application-36856
What Do I Do With the Forms?
After completing the forms in black ink, take them to the Broome County Clerk's Office for filing.
- Our office is located on the 3rd floor of the Broome County Office Building (60 Hawley Street / Binghamton, NY 13901).
- No appointments necessary. The front counter is open from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm.
What's Next?
The Broome County Clerk's Office will submit your papers to the Supreme Court.
- Your case will be assigned to a Judge, who will review your papers.
- You will be contacted by the Court if additional information is required or if the name change request has been granted.
What Happens After the Judge Signs the Order?
After the Court approves your name change, you must do 1 more thing:
- File the original signed Order in the Broome County Clerk’s Office.
What Happens After a Signed Order is filed in the Clerk's Office?
CONGRATULATIONS! Your name has been be legally changed!
You will need certified copies of the Name Change Order for your records as well as one for each agency you deal with so they can change their records.
- Certified copies are $5.20 each.
How Do I Get a New Birth Certificate?
After you’ve been granted a legal name change and it’s been published accordingly, you need to ask the New York State Department of Health’s Vital Records Correction Unit to issue you a new birth certificate.
- Birth Record Correction FAQs: www.health.ny.gov/vital_records/docs/public_instructions_for_birth_corrections.pdf
- Forms and Eligibility Requirements: www.health.ny.gov/vital_records/birth.htm
If you have any questions regard birth certificates, please contact New York State Vital Records at:
- Email: vr@health.ny.gov
- Toll-Free Phone: 855-322-1022
Do I Need to Tell Anyone Else About My Name Change?
There are several agencies that should be notified about your name change, including:
- U.S. Social Security Administration
- New York State Department of Motor Vehicles
- Your employer
- Any bank where you have an account
How do I request a certified copy of my Name Change?
If you are unable to visit our office in person, please send the Broome County Clerk a notarized letter requesting a Certified Copy of your Name Change.
- We charge a $5 search fee for each two-year period that we must search to locate your records.
- If you know your Index Number (Ex. CA2018005432), please reference it.
- Identify both parties of the Name Change (Ex. Old name v. New name).
- Include a phone number so we can contact you if we have any problems processing your request.
- We will also need to call you to obtain your credit card information for payment.
- Do not include this information in your letter.
- If you prefer to pay by check or money order, please call our office at (607) 778-2451 Ext. 6 so we can look up your Name Change and calculate your fee. Prices for Certified Copies vary based on the length of your Name Change.
- Your letter must be signed in front of a Notary Public.
- Be sure to enclose a photocopy of your Driver’s License to prove that you are a party to the action.
- Include a self-addressed stamped envelope so we can return the Certified Copy to you.
