The rules are different for an adult and a minor in Virginia; you will have to gather information from the local county to assure that there are no specific forms and requirements for your particular county. Both, an adult and a minor has to submit the change your name application in the circuit court of the country in which the person resides. In cases where there is no place and address, such people can apply to any court which will consider such application, if the court finds that the reason behind the application for the name change is genuine. Applications of convicted persons are also entertained by the court, if the court finds the cause is of good intentions.
A minor who has no living parents will have to entrust the job to a good friend. If the parents are living they have to initiate the process and should produce enough evidence to the court that the name change is for the best interests of the child. In the case of a minor an ex parte hearing is held after the submission of the papers. The application should be transparent and should throw light on all the details of the applicant, the place and residence of the applicant, names of the parents, the date and place of the petitioner, applicant’s crime records if any and whether the applicant has changed the name in the past.
The court is very much adamant that the name change shouldn’t be for any fraudulent purposes or the name change shouldn’t violate the rights of another person.
Documents Required to change your name
In Virginia, to change your name, the first thing is to get a Virginia State application to change the name. You will have to fill the form with all the details with utmost honesty and this form has to be notarized. The petition has to be filed in the circuit court in the country in which the applicant lives. Once the filing is done along with the required fee the filing clerk will give you a date when the hearing process is going to begin. During the hearing procedure you will have to convince the judge with suitable reasons why you are opting for a change in your name and you must disclose the cases of felony if any. You must state categorically that the name change is not for any purpose of deception or to escape from the clutches of law. And you don’t intend to tarnish the popularity of a person or the name change will not be a cause to any kind of social slur. The case of a minor’s name change also goes through the same process, only thing is that the parents consent is vital for the name change of a minor and you will have to bring to the notice of the court that the name change is for the best interests of the child. If one of the parent objects things will get complicated and under such circumstances it’s always suggested that an Attorney is the best solution.
The Court Order
On the given date of hearing the judge will ask you questions pertaining to your change your name case and to avoid a rejection of your request answer all the quires with honesty and integrity, after the session if the judge feels that your explanations are justifiable, an order confirming the name change will be issued. You can collect the copy of the same from the court clerk.