CHANGE OF NAME AND CHANGE OF SEX

FORMS AND PROCEDURE
MINOR CHILD NAME CHANGE
PETITIONS FOR CHANGE OF SEX
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS


You can purchase forms from any store that sells legal documents, the court does not provide these forms.

FORMS AND PROCEDURE:

  1. Petition for Change of Name: This is the first document you will file and it opens the case.  You will use this form to explain the reason for the name change.  This form must be notarized by a notary. You will need to pay the $84 filing fee at the time of filing the petition.
  2. Order to Give Notice and Appear and Show Cause: - The clerk of the court will enter the date and time for you to “appear” and “show cause” why the application should not be granted. If a person objects to the change of name, they must make the objection in writing or in person on or before th hearing date set in the order. The hearing will be the first Monday after 14 days have elapsed.
  3. Notice of Change of Name Hearing: This notice must be posted for 14 days before the date set in the Order to Give Notice and Appear and Show Cause. Josephine County has a notice board where this can be posted. You will need to check with the Board of County Commissions on the first floor of the courthouse to post the notice.
  4. Affidavit - Proof of Posting Notice; You must bring this to court on the day of the hearing. The notice must have a copy of Notice of Change of Name hearing form attached. The clerk will swear you to the fact that the notice was posted for 14 days.
  5. Change of Name Decree: The judge will sign the decree in court on the day of the hearing if there has been no objection. After court you need to return to the clerks office. You may get a certified copy of the decree for $5.00
  6. Notice of Change of Name Decree: You must post this notice in a public place for 14 days. 
  7. Affidavit - Posting Notice:  After the 14 days, you must file this notice with the court. This must be notarized by a notary or the court clerk.
  8. The documents filed should be signed using your current name throughout the entire procedure. Some of the documents need to be notarized; the documents must be signed in front of  a notary public and you must show identification. The court does not notify any agency or department of the name change.

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MINOR CHILD NAME CHANGE

Minor child name changes can be complicated. You may wish to consult an attorney on the process.

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PETITIONS FOR CHANGE OF SEX

A court may order a legal change of sex and enter a decree indicating the change of sex for a person whose sex has been changed by surgical procedure. The court may order a change of name and legal change of sex at the same time in the same proceeding.  You will need to contact an attorney familiar with Oregon law to complete the necessary documents for a legal change of sex. There are no forms available for a legal change of sex.

To change your birth certificate to show your new name, contact Center for Health Statistics, PO Box 14050, Portland, Oregon 97241, 503.731.4108

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What forms do I file to change the name of an adult?

  1. Application for Change of Name
  2. Order to Give Notice and Appear and Show Cause
  3. Notice to All Persons
  4. Proof of Posting Public Notice
  5. Order and Decree Changing Name
  6. Notice to All Persons
  7. Proof of Posting Public Notice

Where do I get the forms?

Where do I file a name change?

How much does it cost?

What forms do I file to change the name of a minor child?

How do I post the notices?

  1. First, fill out and sign the notice
  2. Make a copy of the notice to file with the proof of notice.
  3. Post the notice in a public place in Josephine County. You can post the notices yourself, or have any competent adult do it.  You can post on the public bulletin board on the first floor of the courthouse. Other public places including city hall, fire stations, public laundry facilities, community centers and private stores open to the public.
  4. For the first notice you post, the date you post the notice must be at least 14 days before the date set for people to object. If you don’t get the notice posted in time, you will need to file anther Order to Give Notice and Appear and Show Cause with the court and get another hearing date.

How do I file proof of posting?

  1. After posting the notice, fill out the proof form and sign it before a notary. If the proof says how long the notice was left posted (i.e. 14 days before the hearing date), do not sign the proof until that day has passed.
  2. Attach the proof a copy of the notice that was posted.
  3. Mail or deliver the proof to the Probate Department.

When is my name change final?

After all the requirements have been met, the court prepares a Certificate of Change of Name. This certifies that the court has changed the name.

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