Note Changing your legal name does not automatically update your driver's license, Social Security card, or any other records. You will have to update these documents individually. See the page on Updating Your Documents After a Name Change for more information.
Texas residents can apply for a name change under Texas Family Code Chapter 45. This chapter establishes the formal process to change an adult's legal name through the courts.
The court may issue an order changing the petitioner's legal name "if the change is in the interest or to the benefit of the petitioner and in the interest of the public." This law is in Subsection 45.103(a).
For applicants with certain types of criminal history, additional requirements will apply. See Subsections 45.103(b) and (c) for more information.
The process starts by filing a petition to change your legal name. This is usually done in person or online through the district clerk's office in the county where the applicant lives. The exact process will vary from court to court, but common steps include:
See the Forms section for a sample name change petition form. If you have questions about the filing process, contact your district clerk's office.
You will need two fingerprint cards for the name change process:
DPS requires a stamped copy of your filed petition, which you can request from the court. They will conduct a background check, process your fingerprints, and send the results to the court.
The guide from the DPS has detailed instructions including:
Different courts may have different requirements, so you may want to ask the district clerk for more information.
The following articles explain the law and the name change process in more detail.
Note As librarians and not attorneys, we cannot determine which forms, if any, are right for you to use. The links are for reference purposes only and are not a substitute for legal advice.
The district clerk's website for a specific county may have online forms for use in that county.
Resources that contain general Texas adult name change forms are listed below. You may access library e-books with a free library account or contact us for help.
Note As librarians and not attorneys, we cannot determine which forms, if any, are right for you to use. The links are for reference purposes only and are not a substitute for legal advice.
The district clerk's office for a specific county may have printed forms for use in that county. If your county has a public law library, it may also have forms. Contact them directly for more information.
Resources that contain general Texas adult name change forms are listed below. These titles may be accessed at the library.