In all cases other than adult adoption or marriage, the standard form is the Rhode Island Name Change Petition, which you can find here: http://sos. ri. gov/documents/probate/PC8. 1. pdf. If you are changing your name for any reason other than adult adoption, and you need to petition for a name change, print out this form and fill it out. (You do not need to petition if you are taking your spouse’s last name. )
The fee varies by county but can be found by contacting the local clerk and will generally be in the range of $65. You will be given a court date approximately 30 days from the date of petition submission and can expect to pick up your decree on that day. Check with your local clerk about details, such as whether there will be a brief court appearance, as this varies with the county.
Publishing a name change can be done by publishing an ad in the newspaper where you reside that states your former and new name. Upon completion of this step, you will be granted a ‘Proof of Publication’. If you have been legally asked to announce your name, you will need to bring this to a hearing so make sure to keep track of it!
Depending on the specifics of your case and of your county, the court may hold a hearing simply in order to have an official statement from you. This does not mean your petition is in question.
If your legal status is being affected in more complex ways, you may want to check with a lawyer about what else needs to be taken into account.
The form to fill out is the Adult Adoption Petition and Change of Name form, here: http://sos. ri. gov/documents/probate/PC8. 2. pdf If you are changing your name due to adult adoption, such as taking the last name of a new family, print this out and enter all of the information that it asks for. If you are changing your name for any other reason, use the standard petition form.
The fee for adult adoption is at the discretion of the local court. Check with your local clerk. You will be given a court date with a judge in your county. The clerk will direct you if there are further steps that need to be taken.
Publishing a name change can be done by publishing an ad in the newspaper where you reside that states your former and new name. Upon completion of this step, you will be granted a ‘Proof of Publication’. If you have been legally asked to announce your name, you will need to bring this to a hearing so make sure to keep track of it!
Adult adoption is handled by judicial discretion in Rhode Island, so follow the directions of your local court. Since this petition is more than just the name change, the court may have further requests or want a hearing. Rhode Island leaves this to the individual courts to determine.
This means the name change is assumed due to the marriage and the next time you apply for a new driver’s license or State ID card, the new name will be put on the documents at your request. Taking the new name is not required. If you choose to use your previous name when you apply for identification, that is also accepted. Changing first or middle names will always require a petition.
In some counties or rulings, further petitions like name change can be included in the legal process of marriage, but in others the license will only list the birth names of the individuals who are marrying. If you can add petitioning to your marriage license, then your options for name changing will be much wider.
The DMV in Rhode Island will want your name to be official with the federal government first. [3] X Research source Providing the Social Security office with your marriage certificate and previous identification will be enough to get a new card, and the process is free. [4] X Trustworthy Source Social Security Administration Independent U. S. government agency responsible for the administration and management of Social Security Go to source . It can also be done by mail if you follow the instructions on the website.
Fill out an LI-1 form as usual to apply for a Rhode Island driver’s license or ID card. Bring your new Social Security card. Bring your old ID card or driver’s license. Bring your marriage certificate. [5] X Research source
The process in Rhode Island is essentially the same to change your name back as it was to take a married name. The main difference to check for is that some counties will want to see a birth certificate as well as a divorce decree.
The DMV in Rhode Island will want your name to be official with the federal government first. [6] X Research source Providing the Social Security office with your divorce decree or birth certificate and previous identification will be enough to get a new card, and the process is free. [7] X Trustworthy Source Social Security Administration Independent U. S. government agency responsible for the administration and management of Social Security Go to source . It can also be done by mail if you follow the instructions on the website.
Fill out an LI-1 form as usual to apply for a Rhode Island driver’s license or ID card. Bring your new Social Security card. Bring your old ID card or driver’s license. Bring your divorce decree. [8] X Research source
Check the “for minor child” box on the form. Provide your name, along with the child’s name, full address, name on original birth record, date and place of birth, mother’s maiden name, and father’s name. You will also need to provide your address and any addresses at which the child lived previously. [9] X Research source Give the new name that you are requesting for the minor.
For example, wanting to rename your child “Harry Potter Smith” might be considered frivolous and not in the child’s best interest. However, changing an adopted child’s last name in order to promote a sense of family unity would be a reasonable reason.
The fee varies by county, but can be found by contacting the local clerk. It will generally be in the range of $65. You will be given a court date approximately 30 days from the date of petition submission and can expect to pick up your decree on that day. Check with your local clerk about details, such as whether there will be a brief court appearance, as this varies with the county.
Publishing a name change can be done by publishing an ad in the newspaper where the minor resides that states the minor’s former and new name. Upon completion of this step, you will be granted a ‘Proof of Publication’. If you have been legally asked to announce your name, you will need to bring this to a hearing so make sure to keep track of it.
Depending on the specifics of your case and of your county, the court may hold a hearing simply in order to have an official statement from you. This does not mean your petition is in question.
If the child is old enough to drive, change the name on his/her driver’s license. You will need to fill out a TR-1 form (http://www. dmv. ri. gov/documents/forms/registration/TR-1. pdf) and provide documentation of the name change, such as the court order. If the child has a passport, you will need to apply for a new passport under the new name.
