If you live in Texas and want to change your name, the good news is that the process is straightforward. The state allows adults to request a legal name change through the court system, as long as the request isn’t for fraud or hiding from legal trouble. The steps are mostly paperwork, a filing fee, fingerprints and a short hearing with a judge.
Let’s understand the Step-by-Step Guide:
1. Make Sure You Qualify for a Name Change
Texas courts will approve a name change if:
- You are 18 or older
- You are a Texas resident
- You are not trying to avoid debts, lawsuits, or criminal charges
- You pass a background check and provide fingerprints
If you have a felony conviction, the court may require proof that you finished your sentence or that you’ve been pardoned.
2. Get Your Fingerprints Done (Required)
Texas requires every adult name-change applicant to provide state and FBI fingerprints.
You must use an approved fingerprinting service such as IdentoGO. After the appointment, you’ll receive an FBI background report, which the court uses to confirm your identity.
Keep your receipt you’ll attach it to your petition.
Fingerprint Timing — How It Actually Works in Texas
You can get your fingerprints done before filing, but many Texas courts don’t require the background results to be in your hands before submitting your petition. What they want is:
- Proof that you completed fingerprinting (receipt from IdentoGO or another approved vendor)
- Your identifying information so DPS and the FBI can send the results directly to the court
The judge will not finalize your name change until those fingerprint/background results arrive.
This sometimes delays the hearing date by a few weeks depending on how fast DPS processes the prints.
So the correct practical explanation is, You may file the petition first or get fingerprints first, but in either case, the order cannot be granted until the background check is on file with the court.
3. Fill Out the “Petition for Change of Name of an Adult”
This is the official court document where you state:
- Your current legal name
- The name you want
- Your address and birth information
- Why you want the change
- Any criminal record information
The form must be accurate. Texas courts take false information seriously.
Many people attach copies of:
- Driver’s license
- Birth certificate
- Social Security card
These are not always required, but they help the judge verify identity.
4. File Your Petition at the Local District Court
Court Location: The filing must occur in the District Court or County Court in the county where you reside.
In Texas, adult name changes are filed in the district court or county court where you live.
You’ll pay a filing fee — usually $250 to $350, depending on the county.
Some counties allow e-filing, others require in-person submission.
After filing, the clerk will give you:
- A cause number
- Your judge assignment
- Instructions for setting a hearing date
5. Attend Your Court Hearing
Texas requires a short hearing for all adult name changes. Most hearings last just a few minutes.
The judge will ask:
- Why you want to change your name
- Whether you are avoiding legal trouble
- Whether you completed the fingerprint/background check
- Whether you understand the legal consequences
If everything is in order, the judge signs the Order Granting Name Change immediately.
In many counties, you can also ask for certified copies right after the hearing.
6. Update Your Legal Documents
Once the judge approves your new name, you must update your identity records. Expect to update:
- Social Security Administration
- Texas driver’s license (DPS)
- Passport
- Bank accounts
- Voter registration
- Employment and payroll systems
- Insurance and vehicle title
- School or university records
Most agencies will require a certified court order — it’s a good idea to buy 3–5 copies.
7. Special Cases: Marriage & Divorce Name Changes
If you are changing your name after marriage, the marriage certificate itself is enough — you do not need to file a separate name-change petition.
If you are changing your name after divorce, your divorce decree must list your requested name. If not, you must file a separate adult name-change request.
8. For Minors: A Parent Files the Petition
- Changing a child’s name requires:
- A parent or guardian to file the petition
- Written notice to the other parent
- A judge’s approval
- A best-interest-of-the-child review
If both parents agree, the process is usually smooth.
Final Take
In Texas, legally changing your name requires:
- Fingerprints
- A court petition
- A filing fee
- A short hearing
- Updating your identity documents
The process is structured but manageable. As long as your request is honest and you complete the paperwork correctly, Texas judges generally approve name changes without trouble.
