Changing Your Name
Civ. Rights Law § 60 — a petition to the county or supreme court, or in New York City the civil court
A resident petitions the county court or the supreme court in the county where they live. A New York City resident may petition the supreme court or any branch of the civil court of the city. A child's name change may be sought by a parent, a guardian, the child's next friend or the child's attorney.
The petition is in writing, signed and verified, and gives the grounds, the current name, date and place of birth, age and residence, and the name proposed. It also states:
- Whether the petitioner has been convicted of a crime or adjudicated a bankrupt.
- Any judgments or liens of record, and any pending cases the petitioner is a party to.
- Whether the petitioner owes child support or spousal support, whether it is up to date, and any arrears, with the court that issued the order.
No reasonable objection. The court grants the order when satisfied that the petition is true and there is no reasonable objection to the name proposed, and for a child, that the change will substantially promote the child's interests. A petitioner born in New York attaches a birth certificate or a certificate that none is available.
In a related case already pending in Family Court, a child's name change may be granted there, but only on the consent of all the parties.
Sources for this section (3)
- Civ. Rights Law § 60 — Petition for change of name
- Civ. Rights Law § 61 — Contents
- Civ. Rights Law § 63 — Order
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed New York attorney.