Yes.  But…

The vast majority of Name Change in California Petitions are approved if they’re properly and completely prepared, filed and served.

During the 4 or more weeks the public notice ad is running, information will be brought into your file that your judge will use to decide your Petition.  If anyone objects, those objections will be part of the judge’s consideration.  The judge is possibly going  to disapprove certain Petitions if a Petitioner is currently in prison, on parole or probation, or is a registered sex offender (see California Civil Code §1278 (d) and §1278.5 (for minors) and §1279.5).

The large majority of Name Change in California Petitions are processed and approved without objections.  Part of the Name Change laws in California require you to publish a copy of your Order to Show Cause in a local newspaper of general circulation.  This is the mechanism that lets your community know of your pending Petition and “tells the world” “speak now or forever hold your peace”.  If no one files an objection with the court, which is almost always the case, then your judge proceeds with his review and decision on your hearing date.

Besides objections from the community or paperwork problems, there are 3 other kinds of reasons why your Petition could be denied:

1.  If the judge thinks the proposed New Name is likely to cause harm, confusion, fraud, get you out of paying your debts, or trade on the fame of someone else.

2.  If the Name Change is for a child, if a parent or other relative objects for a reason with which the judge agrees.

3.  If the Petitioner is in prison, under the supervision of the Department of Corrections, or is a Registered sex-offender and does not have a written approval from the required Department of Corrections Personnel or if the judge is not satisfied that the Name Change would not put the public at risk.

Most California Name Change Petitions are granted.  If you wonder if your reason to Change Your Name will work, consider that basketballer Ron Artest legally Changed his Name to Metta World Peace!  

When you’re ready to get your Name Legally Changed, click our “Start My Name Change Now” button and we’ll have your Petition paperwork done properly in no time flat!  Plant Your Flag!