Changing Your Name in Alabama
How adults change their legal name in Alabama: the court petition, publication, fees, and restoring a name after divorce.
Short answer: The probate court in the county where an adult lives can change the adult's name when the adult files a signed written declaration stating the current name and the name wanted. Ala. Code § 12-13-1(b)(10)
| Legal name change | The probate court in the county where an adult lives can change the adult's name when the adult files a signed written declaration stating the current name and the name wanted. Source: Ala. Code § 12-13-1(b)(10) |
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| Changing your name after divorce | Outside of a divorce case, an adult can change their name through the probate court in the county where they live by filing a signed written declaration giving their current name and the name they want. The court system publishes a Request to Change Name form (PS-12). The statutes read do not spell out how a former name is restored within the divorce judgment itself. |
Where to get help in Alabama
More Alabama divorce & family law
- Getting a Marriage License in Alabama
- Adopting a Child in Alabama
- Guardianship of a Child or Adult in Alabama
- Establishing Paternity in Alabama
- Child Custody Laws in Alabama
- How Child Support Is Calculated in Alabama
- Divorce Records in Alabama
- Alimony and Spousal Support in Alabama
- How to File for Divorce in Alabama
- Legal Separation and Annulment in Alabama
- All Alabama divorce & family law rules
FAQ
How do you legally change your name in Alabama?
The probate court in the county where an adult lives can change the adult's name when the adult files a signed written declaration stating the current name and the name wanted.
How do you change your name back after a divorce in Alabama?
Outside of a divorce case, an adult can change their name through the probate court in the county where they live by filing a signed written declaration giving their current name and the name they want. The court system publishes a Request to Change Name form (PS-12).
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.