Legal Question in Family Law in District of Columbia

Re: name change

You can file a Petition for name change if you have lived in DC continuously for 6 mo.,and intend to reside therein. You will need to prove the change is not for any dishonest or fraudulent reasons. Oyr office can help. Ph (301)441-3131 for more information.

Re: name change

Dear Client, In order to change your name you have to submit a petition to the court setting forth the reasons why you are seeking a name change. The law regarding "Name Change" is not very complicated. Following are the code sections regarding this particular procedure. Naturally, your individual circumstances are to be considered: for example a name change might have an impact on other aspects of your life, from simple ones such as Social Security Card or new Driver Licenses, to birth certificates... to ownership entitlements. You should seriously consider the aid of an attorney, especially if a name change is desired because of a divorce proceeding, whether pending or already in full effect. In your question, you also asked about how to be a resident of D.C.... All you need to do is show your intention to make D.C. your principal place of abode with a specific address. Proof of residency are mail sent to you at a D.C. address, a driver's license with a D.C. address, a bank account showing a D.C. address and so forth. It will take approximately six months to have full residency in the District. Should you have additional questions, please feel free to contact me for a more in depth consultation at 202/271-5983. Here are the code sections I mentioned above.

Title 16 Particular Actions, Proceedings and Matters Chapter 25 Change of Name � 16-2501. Application; persons who may file.

Whoever, being a resident of the District and desiring a change of name, may file an application in the Superior Court setting forth the reasons therefor and also the name desired to be assumed. If the applicant is an infant, the application shall be filed by his parent, guardian, or next friend. (Dec. 23, 1963, 77 Stat. 595, Pub. L. 88-241, � 1; July 29, 1970, 84 Stat. 560, Pub. L. 91-358, title I, � 145(i); 1973 Ed., � 16-2501.) D.C. Code Ann. � 16-2501 (1999)

� 16-2502. Notice; contents.

Prior to a hearing pursuant to this chapter, notice of the filing of the application, containing the substance and prayer thereof, shall be published once a week for three consecutive weeks in a newspaper in general circulation published in the District. (Dec. 23, 1963, 77 Stat. 595, Pub. L. 88-241, � 1; 1973 Ed., � 16-2502.) D.C. Code Ann. � 16-2502 (1999)

� 16-2503. Decree.

On proof of the notice prescribed by section 16-2502, and upon a showing that the court deems satisfactory, the court may change the name of the applicant according to the prayer of the application. (Dec. 23, 1963, 77 Stat. 595, Pub. L. 88-241, � 1; 1973 Ed., � 16-2503.) D.C. Code Ann. � 16-2503 (1999)

Good Luck, Tiziana Ventimiglia.