Legal Question in Administrative Law in California

Name change in California for resident born in Michigan

Hi, I would like to change my name due to domestic violence and stalking in California. I have lived here for over 20 years. However, I was born in Michigan, and my birth certificate and SSN were issued in that state.

I own no property and have no family in Michigan. My business and property are all in California.

Would I be able to file for name change in California?


Asked on 5/30/05, 10:43 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Bryan Whipple Bryan R. R. Whipple, Attorney at Law

Re: Name change in California for resident born in Michigan

Yes. In the United States, rights such as this depend much more on your state of permanent residency than on your state of birth.

The procedure is set forth in the Code of Civil Procedure at sections 1275 through 1279.6. The part of most interest to you is probably section 1276.

You might be able to do this yourself if you are energetic, like handling legal matters, and have some time to chat with the court clerks about formatting and filing your petition. I suggest you consider having a lawyer do it for you.

Read the Code and you'll get a sense of what's involved. Judges and counties will differ in the degree of legal formality required in a name-change petition filed by a non-attorney representing her- or himself.

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Answered on 5/30/05, 8:17 pm


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