Free Texas Name Change Petition and Order

State Identification Numbers (SID) and Federal Bureau of Investigation numbers (FBI) are assigned in the criminal system. If you were charged with any misdemeanor in the state of Texas, you are assigned an SID at the county level. This number is used to identify you within the system and may be obtained from your local law enforcement office.

If the local law enforcement requested information from the FBI regarding a severe misdemeanor or felony, you are assigned an FBI number. Your local law enforcement should have this number on record, or you may have to request your number from the FBI.

All persons attempting to obtain a legal name change must have their fingerprints taken on an approved DPS or FBI fingerprint card. Contact your local law enforcement or county courthouse and ask where you can have your fingerprints taken. You will need a legible copy of your fingerprint card to attach to your petition.

There are many reasons to petition for a legal name change. If you want a legal name change because you are recently married or divorced, you do not have to file a legal name change petition. See the Free Legal Help section for more information on how to get a legal name change after marriage or divorce.

When requesting a legal name change, you need a brief and honest reason for your request. It may be as simple as: I do not like my current name and I would prefer to change it legally. If you have a security reason for changing your name, list the reason concisely. If the judge has any questions regarding your reasons, he or she will ask you in your hearing.

If you are required to register as a sex offender in Texas, you must notify the local law enforcement office of your intent to file for a legal name change. Contact the law enforcement agency with which you register as a sex offender and inform them of your intent to change your name. You will need to fill out a form and request a proof of notification from their office. This procedure varies from county to county, but you must attach a proof of notification to your petition if you are required to register as a sex offender.

1. You will need to sign the Petition in front of a Public Notary. Do not sign the petition until you are in front of a Notary. The Notary will verify your identity and verify that you signed the document in their presence. Usually, there is a Notary in the courthouse.

2. You will need to attach your fingerprint card to the petition. If you haven't done this already, contact your local law enforcement or county courthouse and ask where you can have your fingerprints taken.

3. If you received a certificate of discharge for a felony offence, you will need to attach the certificate to the petition.

4. If you are a registered sex offender, you will need to notify the local authorities of your intent to change your name and obtain a proof of notification and attach it to the Petition.

5. File your Petition. After you have signed the Petition before a notary and attached your documents, make two copies of the Petition, Order, Fingerprint card, and proof of notification if applicable. You will need to take the original signed Petition and Order and at least one copy to the District Clerk's office for your county of residence. The clerk's office is usually in the county courthouse. Tell the clerk you would like to file your Petition and get a stamped copy back. You will be required to pay a filing fee. Request to have a court date assigned from the Clerk's office.

This Petition is used to request a legal name change in the state of Texas if you are not recently married or divorced. See the Free Legal Help section for information on how to get a legal name change after marriage or divorce.

This interview process will complete all the forms you will need to complete the process, including a letter to send to your local newspaper. After creating your legal documents here, the steps you will need to complete your name change are:

• Have your fingerprints taken by local law enforcement
  
• File the Petition and Order for Name Change
  
• Attend a name change hearing
  
• Get certified copies of your Order
  
• Change your name with various government agencies