GGF Name Change Packet v.1.5

1205 W. Bessemer Avenue, Suite 226 | Greensboro, NC 27408 | 336-790-8419 | center@ggfnc.org | guilfordgreenfoundation.org

North Carolina Name Change Guidelines

& Form Requirements

The information provided in this document does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal

advice; instead, all information and forms in this document are for general informational

purposes only. Information in this document may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or

other information. This document contains web addresses to third-party websites. Such sites

are only for the convenience of the reader and are not endorsements.

Readers of in this document should contact their attorney to obtain advice with respect to any

particular legal matter. No reader of in this document should act or refrain from acting on

the basis of information in this document without first seeking legal advice from counsel in

the relevant jurisdiction. Only your individual attorney can provide assurances that the

information contained herein – and your interpretation of it – is applicable or appropriate to

your particular situation. Use of this document or any of the resources contained within the

document do not create an attorney-client relationship between the reader and authors,

contributors, contributing law firms, or Board members and their respective employers. All

liability with respect to actions taken or not taken based on the contents of this document are

hereby expressly disclaimed. The content in this document is provided "as is;" no

representations are made that the content is error-free

As Of: September 10

, 2019

1205 W. Bessemer Avenue, Suite 226 | Greensboro, NC 27408 | 336-790-8419 | center@ggfnc.org | guilfordgreenfoundation.org

Initial Steps for Legal Name Change:

These steps should be completed by the person changing their name. If there are any

questions regarding these steps, or if you need assistance finding a notary public,

contact the Guilford Green Foundation & LGBTQ Center.

1. Two (2) original FD-258 Applicant Fingerprint Cards.

a. What to bring:

i. Driver’s license or other government-issued picture identification

card.

ii. Payment.

b. Cost:

i. Usually $10.00 per card, or $20.00 total.

ii. Must be cash, certified check, or money order.

c. Where: Sheriff’s Office.

d. Details:

i. You need one (1) card for an FBI background check. Where it asks

your reason to be fingerprinted, write “Summary Request.”

ii. You need one (1) card for an SBI background check. Where it asks

your reason to be fingerprinted, write “Right to Review.”

2. FBI Background Check.

a. What to send:

i. Written request, available here: https://forms.fbi.gov/identity-

history-summary-checks-review/q384893984839334.pdf.

ii. Fingerprint Card. Do not fold.

iii. Payment.

b. Cost: $18.00 certified check or money order payable to Treasury of the

United States.

c. Where:

i. Send to:

FBI CJIS Division—Summary Report

1000 Custer Hollow Road

Clarksburg, WV 26306

d. Details:

i. Where it asks your reason, check “Other.”

1205 W. Bessemer Avenue, Suite 226 | Greensboro, NC 27408 | 336-790-8419 | center@ggfnc.org | guilfordgreenfoundation.org

3. SBI Background Check.

a. What to send:

i. Written request, available here: http://www.ncsbi.gov/Services/SBI-

Forms.aspx. Click on “Background Check for NC Criminal Records

(Right to Review Process).

ii. Fingerprint Card. Do not fold.

iii. Payment.

b. Cost: $14.00 certified check or money order payable to NC State Bureau

of Investigation.

c. Where:

i. Send to:

NC State Bureau of Investigation

Criminal Information and Identification Section

Attention: Applicant Unit—Right to Review

Post Office Box 29500

Raleigh, NC 27626-0500

d. Details:

i. Where it asks your reason, write “Summary Request.”

4. Original/Certified Birth Certificate.

a. Obtain one (1) original/certified birth certificate from the Bureau of Vital

Statistics, if you do not have one already.

The FBI process can take over a month longer than the SBI background check, and the petition of name

change must be filed within ninety (90) days of the background checks, so it is recommended that the

petitioner wait until they receive the results of the FBI background check before requesting the SBI

background check, which is a much faster process.

1205 W. Bessemer Avenue, Suite 226 | Greensboro, NC 27408 | 336-790-8419 | center@ggfnc.org | guilfordgreenfoundation.org

Steps for Legal Name Change After Receiving Results of

Background Checks:

This portion of the name-change process can be completed by the person filing for a

name change directly, or with the help of an attorney. If you have questions about these

steps or if you need assistance in locating an attorney or a notary public, you can

contact the Guilford Green Foundation & LGBTQ Center.

1. Notice of Intent to File for Name Change.

a. What to bring: Notice of Intent to File Name Change (see page 9).

b. Where: Clerk of Superior Court (Special Proceedings) in county where

you live.

c. Details:

i. Have your Notice file-stamped with date/time when you post it.

ii. Must be posted for ten (10) consecutive days in the “appropriate

location.” The Clerk will tell you where this is.

2. Petition for Name Change.

a. What to bring:

i. Petition for Name Change (see page 10).

ii. Notarized Verification page.

iii. Two (2) notarized Affidavits of Good Character.

iv. Notarized Affidavit Regarding Outstanding Tax or Child Support

Obligation.

v. Original/certified birth certificate.

vi. Photocopy of birth certificate.

vii. Proof of residency (e.g., driver’s license, or official

correspondence, such as a bill or bank statement, addressed to

you and received within the past thirty (30) days).

viii. Proof of identity (e.g., driver’s license or passport).

ix. Payment.

x. Other documents as required. Confirm with the Clerk to

determine if any other documents are required.

xi. Self-addressed and stamped envelope.

b. Cost: $120.00 cash, money order, or certified check. Confirm with the

Clerk to determine to whom it needs to be made out.

c. Where: Clerk of Superior Court (Special Proceedings) in county where

you live.

d. Details:

i. This must be filed within ninety (90) days of receipt of your FBI

and SBI background checks.

Affidavits of Good Character must be completed by persons living in the county in which the name

change petition will be filed and cannot be related to the petitioner by blood or marriage.

1205 W. Bessemer Avenue, Suite 226 | Greensboro, NC 27408 | 336-790-8419 | center@ggfnc.org | guilfordgreenfoundation.org

3. Hearing.

a. All name changes are subject to a hearing. Even if all your documents

have been filed correctly, your request to change your name may be

denied.

b. A hearing, if required, will be scheduled for approximately thirty (30)

days after filing the petition.

4. Copies of Court-Ordered Name Change.

a. Obtain five (5) certified copies of the court-ordered name change.

i. The cost varies by county, but it usually costs $5. Most counties

only accept cash.

b. Make sure the Clerk sends the pink copy of the court-ordered name

change to the Bureau of Vital Records.

1205 W. Bessemer Avenue, Suite 226 | Greensboro, NC 27408 | 336-790-8419 | center@ggfnc.org | guilfordgreenfoundation.org

Steps for Legal Name Change After Receiving Court-Ordered

Name Change:

These steps should be completed by the person changing their name. If there are any

questions regarding these steps, or if you need assistance finding a notary public,

contact the Guilford Green Foundation & LGBTQ Center.

1. Change Name with Social Security Office.

a. What to bring:

i. Certified Copy of Court-Ordered Name Change.

ii. U.S. birth certificate or U.S. passport.

iii. Driver’s license.

iv. Application for Social Security Card, available here:

https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ss-5.pdf.

b. Where:

i. Find the correct office here: https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp.

c. Details:

i. Make sure you get all the documents you bring with you, other

than the application, back. If they refuse to give them to you,

contact the Guilford Green Foundation & LGBTQ Center

immediately via e-mail, documenting the date, time, & names of

any employees assisting you at the Social Security Office.

ii. Updating your information at the Social Security office is free.

2. Change Name on Your Birth Certificate.

a. What to send:

i. Application for a Copy of a North Carolina Birth Certificate,

available here:

http://vitalrecords.nc.gov/documents/Appl_BirthCert_GN_fill-

in_20161101.pdf.

1. Complete the “Record Changes” section regarding “Name

Change.”

ii. Copy of your driver’s license or passport.

iii. $39.00 money order or certified check.

b. Where: Send to:

North Carolina Department of Health and Human

Services

Division of Public Health

N.C. Vital Records

1903 Mail Service Center

Raleigh, NC 27699-1900

1205 W. Bessemer Avenue, Suite 226 | Greensboro, NC 27408 | 336-790-8419 | center@ggfnc.org | guilfordgreenfoundation.org

3. Change Name on Driver’s License.

a. What to bring:

i. Certified Copy of Court-Ordered Name Change.

ii. New Social Security Card.

iii. Current driver’s license.

iv. If you have not received a REAL ID, the documents required to do

so. Find required documents here:

https://www.ncdot.gov/dmv/driver/realid.

b. Cost: $13.00

c. Where: DMV.

d. Details:

i. Make sure you get all the documents you bring with you, other

than the application, back. If they refuse to give them to you,

contact the Guilford Green Foundation & LGBTQ Center

immediately via e-mail, documenting the date, time, & names of

any employees assisting you at the DMV.

4. Change Name on Passport, if applicable.

a. What to bring:

i. Certified Copy of Court-Ordered Name Change.

ii. Birth certificate and driver’s license OR old passport.

iii. U.S. Passport Application, available here:

https://eforms.state.gov/Forms/ds11.PDF.

b. Where: Passport office.

c. Details:

i. Make sure you get all the documents you bring with you, other

than the application, back. If they refuse to give them to you,

contact the Guilford Green Foundation & LGBTQ Center

immediately via e-mail, documenting the date, time, & names of

any employees assisting you at the DMV.

You must report your new name to the North Carolina DMV within 60 days of your court-ordered name

change and get an updated NC driver’s license or ID card. Before changing your name on your NC driver’s

license or ID card, you must first change your name with the Social Security Administration. Wait 2-3

days after changing your name with the Social Security Administration before reporting the change to

the NC DMV.

1205 W. Bessemer Avenue, Suite 226 | Greensboro, NC 27408 | 336-790-8419 | center@ggfnc.org | guilfordgreenfoundation.org

5. Change Name Everywhere Else.

a. Certified copies of your court-ordered name change may be required.

Due to the expense of obtaining certified copies, always request that the

copy be returned to you, or request that you be allowed to send a copy

of the certified copy.

b. Examples:

i. Post Office

ii. IRS

iii. Voter Registration

iv. Banks

v. Credit Cards

vi. Cell Phone Plans

vii. Utilities

viii. Doctors

ix. Insurance Companies

x. State Tax Authority

xi. Clubs

xii. Memberships

xiii. Employer

xiv. Retirement Plans

xv. Will

xvi. Health Care Proxy

xvii. Living Will

xviii. Trust

xix. Contracts

xx. Power of Attorney

1205 W. Bessemer Avenue, Suite 226 | Greensboro, NC 27408 | 336-790-8419 | center@ggfnc.org | guilfordgreenfoundation.org

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA

COUNTY OF __________________

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE

SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION

BEFORE THE CLERK

FILE NO. ________________

IN THE MATTER OF CHANGE OF

NAME OF [ORIGINAL NAME]

TO [NEW NAME]

NOTICE OF PETITION

FOR NAME CHANGE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on or after [date 10 days after posting this

notice], 2019 that the Petitioner, [ORIGINAL NAME] will petition to this Court for

a change of name to [NEW NAME].

This the __

day of _________, 20__.

[Original name]

[Address]

Posted: _____________________

1205 W. Bessemer Avenue, Suite 226 | Greensboro, NC 27408 | 336-790-8419 | center@ggfnc.org | guilfordgreenfoundation.org

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA

COUNTY OF __________________

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE

SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION

BEFORE THE CLERK

FILE NO. ________________

IN THE MATTER OF CHANGE OF

NAME OF [ORIGINAL NAME]

TO [NEW NAME]

VERIFIED PETITION FOR

NAME CHANGE

NOW COMES the Petitioner and, after being duly sworn says:

1. Petitioner is a citizen and resident of the County of _______, North

Carolina.

2. Petitioner was born in [City], _________ County, [State] on the __

day

of _________, [year].

3. Petitioner’s true name is [ORIGINAL NAME].

4. Petitioner desires to adopt the following name: [NEW NAME].

5. The Petitioner’s name has never before been changed.

6. The reasons for the proposed name change is: Petitioner is transgender.

Petitioner is known by the assumed name in the community.

7. The name of Petitioner’s mother is [Mother’s name] and the name of

Petitioner’s father is [Father’s name].

8. The Petitioner is over 18 years of age and presents proof of good

character by two citizens of Wake County, North Carolina, who know of the good

character of Petitioner.

WHEREFORE, Petitioner prays the Court to allow this change of name.

1205 W. Bessemer Avenue, Suite 226 | Greensboro, NC 27408 | 336-790-8419 | center@ggfnc.org | guilfordgreenfoundation.org

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED, this the ____ day of _________________, 2019.

Original name

Address

1205 W. Bessemer Avenue, Suite 226 | Greensboro, NC 27408 | 336-790-8419 | center@ggfnc.org | guilfordgreenfoundation.org

VERIFICATION

[NAME], being first duly sworn, deposes and says:

I am the Petitioner in the above-entitled action; that I have read the Verified

Petition for Name Change and know the contents thereof; that the same is true of my

own knowledge, or based upon reasonable investigation.

This the ____ day of ___________________________, 2018.

Original name

Address

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA

COUNTY OF WAKE

Signed and sworn to (or affirmed) before me by ___________________

Date: _______________________ ________________________________________________

[Official Signature of Notary]

__________________________________, Notary Public

[Notary’s printed or typed name]

[Official Seal] My commission expires: _________________________

1205 W. Bessemer Avenue, Suite 226 | Greensboro, NC 27408 | 336-790-8419 | center@ggfnc.org | guilfordgreenfoundation.org

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA

COUNTY OF __________________

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE

SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION

BEFORE THE CLERK

FILE NO. ________________

IN THE MATTER OF CHANGE OF

NAME OF [ORIGINAL NAME]

TO [NEW NAME]

AFFIDAVIT OF

GOOD CHARACTER

I, being duly sworn, depose and say:

1. I am a resident of the County of _________________, North Carolina.

2. I have known the Petitioner for _____ years. I personally know the

Petitioner to be a person of good character and that the Petitioner has a reputation

as a person with good character and good standing in the community.

This the ____ day of ____________________, [YEAR].

Name:

Address:

1205 W. Bessemer Avenue, Suite 226 | Greensboro, NC 27408 | 336-790-8419 | center@ggfnc.org | guilfordgreenfoundation.org

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA

COUNTY OF __________________

Signed and sworn to (or affirmed) before me by _________________________________.

Date: _______________________ ________________________________________________

[Official Signature of Notary]

__________________________________, Notary Public

[Notary’s printed or typed name]

[Official Seal] My commission expires: _________________________

1205 W. Bessemer Avenue, Suite 226 | Greensboro, NC 27408 | 336-790-8419 | center@ggfnc.org | guilfordgreenfoundation.org

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA

COUNTY OF _________________

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE

SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION

BEFORE THE CLERK

FILE NO. ________________

IN THE MATTER OF CHANGE OF

NAME OF [ORIGINAL NAME]

TO [NEW NAME]

AFFIDAVIT REGARDING

OUTSTANDING TAX AND CHILD

SUPPORT OBLIGATIONS

I, being duly sworn, depose and say:

1. I am the Petitioner in the request for a legal name change posted on [date].

2. I am a bona fide resident of, and domiciled in, the County of ___________,

North Carolina, the county where the name change is sought.

3. The Petitioner does not have an outstanding tax obligation.

4. The Petitioner does have an outstanding child support obligation.

This the ____ day of _________________, [YEAR].

[Original name]

[Address]

1205 W. Bessemer Avenue, Suite 226 | Greensboro, NC 27408 | 336-790-8419 | center@ggfnc.org | guilfordgreenfoundation.org

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA

COUNTY OF __________________

Signed and sworn to (or affirmed) before me by ___________________

Date: _______________________ ________________________________________________

[Official Signature of Notary]

__________________________________, Notary Public

[Notary’s printed or typed name]

[Official Seal] My commission expires: _________________________