A Childs Name Change

Instructions for Agreed Child’s Name Change

Instrucciones para el cambio de nombre acordado de un menor

Who Can Use These Forms to Change a Child’s Name? Any parent or conservator or any person who has a legal relationship to the child must join in the petition to change the child’s name. This means both the child’s mother and father have to agree to the name change, along with any other person who has ever been given legal rights to the child in a court order. Additionally, if the child is over 10 years old, the child must agree to the name change, in writing. If all parties do not agree, then these forms should not be used. The child’s name can still be changed, just not with these forms. What? A court order to change a child’s name simply changes a child’s name. It does not take away any legal rights or responsibilities the child had under the original name. It does not grant any new legal rights, either. Changing a child’s name is NOT a simple adoption, and does not terminate any parental rights or responsibilities. Where? You must file the petition to change the child’s name in the county where your child lives. When? You can file the petition at any time. However, if you simply want to correct a mistake made on your child’s birth certificate, you may not need a court order. Contact the Bureau of Vital Statistics (the agency responsible for maintaining birth records) to see if it is possible for you to amend the birth certificate without a court order, before you pay court costs to change your child’s name. (www.dshs.state.tx.us) My child’s name is hyphenated. I just want to drop the hyphen. Do I have to go through the name change process? Yes.
TexasLawHelp.org & Partnership for Legal Access Last Update: 6-16-05

¿Quién puede usar estos formularios para cambiar el nombre de un niño menor de edad? Cualquier padre o tutor, o persona que tenga una relación legal con el menor, tiene que ser parte en la Petición del cambio de nombre de un menor. Esto... [continues]

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