NAME CHANGE GUIDE ADULT ONLY Please read this entire guide before you go any further. Remember that this is only a guide and not an all-inclusive document. If you have further questions you may need to consult with an attorney before going further. The filing fee is not refundable if you change your mind. WHAT AN ADULT MUST DO TO FILE FOR A CHANGE OF NAME HEARING You must file in the county where you live. You must have lived within the State of Minnesota at least six months. Pay the civil filing fee and certified copy fee or proceed in forma pauperis. (Fee Schedule) At the hearing you must bring two adult witnesses who have known you for one year or longer. Your witnesses may be relatives. If you are married, one of your witnesses should be your spouse/ domestic partner registered in accordance with Minneapolis City Ord. 142.20(a). If you own your home or other real estate, you need to have the legal description when you file your documents. CRIMINAL RECORD CHECK (Minnesota Statute 259.11) Minn. Stat. § 259.11 requires the Court to determine whether any person seeking to have their name changed has a criminal history in Minnesota or any other state. The court may conduct a search of national records through the Federal Bureau of Investigation by submitting a set of fingerprints and the required fee to the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. To comply, you must complete a Criminal History Check Release form for each party covered by the application. If you are changing the name of a minor who is 14 years of age or older, both the minor and the parent must sign the release form. A criminal history check will be made on all persons listed on the application. If the applicant has a criminal history, both the person whose name is changed and the Court shall report the change within 10 days of receiving a copy of the order by mailing a copy of the order granting the name change to: Attention: Team A Bureau of Criminal Apprehension 1430 Maryland Avenue East St. Paul, MN 55106 Note: Any information placed in name change file will be accessible to the public, unless the court determines that the name change is made in connection with participation in a victim or witness protection program. You will need to prove to the Court by clear and convincing evidence that your application for name change is not based on the intent to defraud, is made in good faith, will not cause injury to a person and will not compromise public safety. Absent this evidence, your name change will not be granted. For criminal history in Hennepin County: Hennepin County Attorney's Office C-2100 Government Center 300 South Sixth Street Minneapolis, MN 55487 For criminal history in Ramsey County: Director, Prosecution Division Ramsey County Attorney's Office 50 West Kellogg Blvd., Suite 315 St Paul, MN 55102 FORMS THAT ARE REQUIRED TO OPEN A CHANGE OF NAME Application for name change Order granting name change Request for Copy form (not required but highly encouraged) Last Revised 09-26-14 American LegalNet, Inc. www.FormsWorkFlow.com  If there is a criminal history, proof of service of Application of Name Change on the prosecuting authority and/or Attorney General You may bring your forms here to fill in using a sample we will provide. The forms should be typed or legibly written using black ink. Be sure the "For a change of name to" name(s) appear exactly, do not use initials, unless that is the way you want the name changed. A married couple or a couple registered as domestic partners with the City of Minneapolis under Minneapolis City Ordinance 142.20(a) may complete one application listing both parties (one application per file with one filing fee). All other adults including related adults must complete separate applications (each application is a file and the filing fee must be paid for each file). The Civil Intake Department cannot fill out your forms for you. Do not sign the application. Your signature must be witnessed and notarized by a court clerk or a notary. If you own the house you live in, or any other property, we need the legal description of the property. (This is not the address.) You can find the legal description on the deed, contract for deed or mortgage or on the 5 th floor of the Administrative Tower of the Government Center or call 612-348-3011. Bring your forms to the Civil Intake counter on C3 of the Hennepin County Government Center, 300 South Sixth Street, Minneapolis, MN from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday - Friday (closed on legal holidays). Or, mail them to Civil Filing, MC 332 Government Center, 300 So 6th St, Mpls, MN 55487-0332. A filing fee and a fee for each certified copy of the signed order you will need is required (Fee Schedule). The copies you have requested will be mailed out to you after the hearing. All checks written to the Court must be made payable to District Court Administrator. In approximately two weeks, a "Notice of Judicial Officer Assignment" will be mailed to you. On this Notice will be the name of the Judge assigned to the case. You will need to wait until you have your assignment before calling for a hearing date and courtroom number. Contact the Judge's clerk that has been assigned. The clerk who assists in filing your case will give a list of Judges and their phone numbers to call to schedule your hearing. You may also check for the phone numbers on-line at: http://www.mncourts.gov/district/4/?page=1629. If you have a felony conviction your hearing date cannot be less than 45 days from filing. (This time frame is set by Statute.) WHAT YOU NEED TO DO ON THE DAY OF YOUR HEARING Come at the assigned time with your two adult witnesses and go straight to the courtroom GETTING A CERTIFIED COPY OF THE SIGNED ORDER GRANTING NAME CHANGE You need to fill out a request form. You can do this at the time you file your application. There is a fee for each certified copy you request. (Fee Schedule) Your certified copy will be mailed in two to three weeks after your hearing. You may make additional photocopies of the certified copy as needed. A certified copy of the Order is required to change your driver's license, social security records, etc. It is your responsibility to notify all interested people, businesses, employers, schools, etc. of your new name. It is up to those you notify of your name change to inform you whether they require a certified copy or a plain copy of the Order Granting Name Change. An extensive list will be given to you in Court as to whom you may ne