Changing Your Name in Arkansas
How adults change their legal name in Arkansas: the court petition, publication, fees, and restoring a name after divorce.
Short answer: A person files a verified written petition in circuit court stating the reasons, and the court may change the name for good reasons shown. The order lists the prior name, birth date, identifying information and new name; Ark. Code Ann. § 9-2-101
| Legal name change | A person files a verified written petition in circuit court stating the reasons, and the court may change the name for good reasons shown. The order lists the prior name, birth date, identifying information and new name; the clerk sends it to the Arkansas Crime Information Center and Driver Control (and Vital Records if requested). The court must seal the file if the petitioner shows by clear and convincing evidence that he or she would otherwise be endangered. The statute does not mention newspaper publication. Mirror: Arkansas Code text was read on FindLaw (codes.findlaw.com), a mirror of the official code. FindLaw states the text is current as of March 28, 2024. Source: Ark. Code Ann. § 9-2-101 |
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| Changing your name after divorce | When the court finds either party is entitled to a divorce, it may restore the wife to the name she had before the marriage. Read on a public code mirror (FindLaw, current as of March 28, 2024). The statute's wording refers to the wife. Source: Ark. Code Ann. § 9-12-318 |
Where to get help in Arkansas
More Arkansas divorce & family law
- Getting a Marriage License in Arkansas
- Adopting a Child in Arkansas
- Guardianship of a Child or Adult in Arkansas
- Establishing Paternity in Arkansas
- Child Custody Laws in Arkansas
- How Child Support Is Calculated in Arkansas
- Divorce Records in Arkansas
- Alimony and Spousal Support in Arkansas
- How to File for Divorce in Arkansas
- Legal Separation and Annulment in Arkansas
- All Arkansas divorce & family law rules
FAQ
How do you legally change your name in Arkansas?
A person files a verified written petition in circuit court stating the reasons, and the court may change the name for good reasons shown. The order lists the prior name, birth date, identifying information and new name; the clerk sends it to the Arkansas Crime Information Center and Driver Control (and Vital Records if requested). The court must seal the file if the petitioner shows by clear and convincing evidence that he or she would otherwise be endangered. The statute does not mention newspaper publication.
How do you change your name back after a divorce in Arkansas?
When the court finds either party is entitled to a divorce, it may restore the wife to the name she had before the marriage.
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.