Name Changes

 An application for name change is handled in the Civil Division of the  Circuit Court Clerk's Office in the county in which you live. You can check on the status of an  application for name change after it is filed by visiting Virginia's Judicial System Case Information website.  Remember that staff in the clerk's office cannot provide legal advice.  If you represent yourself, you will be expected to follow the same  procedures as an attorney. 

 Virginia's Judicial System Civil Forms website have the following forms and instructions to help people petition the circuit court for a name change:

• Application for Change of Name (Adult) [Form CC-1411]

                Spell out all names completely.  DO NOT USE INITIALS.

• Application for Change of Name (Child) [Form CC-1427]

                Spell out all names completely.  DO NOT USE INITIALS.

Complete the forms online.  Print the Supreme Court's revisable PDF forms using the "Print for  Submission to Court" button rather than using the print feature of your  browser. The clerk's office cannot accept forms that have gray bars over  printed material. 

Submit completed application and the following documents:

• Cover Sheet for Filing Civil Actions (CC-1416) 

                 http://www.courts.state.va.us/forms/circuit/cc1416.pdf

• Valid photo ID
• Notice Form
• Filing fee $35
• Self-addressed stamped envelope
• If applicant answered YES to Question 12, include certified copy of  Birth Certificate, Marriage License, Court Order, etc.

Mailing Your Application

• An application and fees sent by mail should be addressed to:
     Northumberland Circuit Court Clerk's Office
     P.O. Box 217
     Heathsville, VA 22473

In Person Application

• An application and fees delivered in person should be brought to the clerk's office:
   
  • Circuit Courthouse
         220 Judicial Place
         Heathsville, VA 22473
         Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
         Monday through Friday

Filing Online

We do not accept online filings.

The clerk's office will assign a case number and receive the filing and  service fees. Depending upon the type of name change application, there  may be additional procedural steps that have to be taken before the  court will consider the application.
 

If the court enters an order granting the name change, the clerk's  office will send a certified copy to you or your attorney. The Virginia  Code Section 8.01-217 requires the clerk to record the order in the  current deed book in the clerk's office, index it in both the old and  new names, and transmit a certified copy of the order and the  application to the State Registrar of Vital Records. 

View the Virginia State Bar pamphlet Marriage in Virginia, this is among the sources that address this topic. 

Name changes are also granted in divorce suits. Consult the attorney  handling your divorce suit, if you have questions about resuming your former name. 

When you request a copy, you will need identifying  information such as the person's old or new names, case number, deed  book and page number, or the instrument number. Clerk's staff can help  you find documents when you visit the clerk's office. For name change  orders entered after 2002, we may be able to help you find identifying  information by phone.