Changing Your Name in Kentucky
How adults change their legal name in Kentucky: the court petition, publication, fees, and restoring a name after divorce.
Short answer: Any person 18 or older may have his or her name changed by the District Court of the county where he or she lives (or an adjacent county for residents of a U.S. Army post or military reservation). KRS 401.010, 401.040, 64.012
| Legal name change | Any person 18 or older may have his or her name changed by the District Court of the county where he or she lives (or an adjacent county for residents of a U.S. Army post or military reservation). The order is certified to the county clerk for recording unless the court seals it; the county clerk's recording fee is set by KRS 64.012. KRS Chapter 401 does not contain a newspaper publication requirement. Source: KRS 401.010, 401.040, 64.012 |
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| Changing your name after divorce | When a marriage is dissolved or declared invalid, the court may restore a wife's maiden or former name at her request, and must do so if there are no children of the marriage. The statute is written in terms of 'a wife.' Source: KRS 403.230(2) |
Where to get help in Kentucky
More Kentucky divorce & family law
- Getting a Marriage License in Kentucky
- Adopting a Child in Kentucky
- Guardianship of a Child or Adult in Kentucky
- Establishing Paternity in Kentucky
- Child Custody Laws in Kentucky
- How Child Support Is Calculated in Kentucky
- Divorce Records in Kentucky
- Alimony and Spousal Support in Kentucky
- How to File for Divorce in Kentucky
- Legal Separation and Annulment in Kentucky
- All Kentucky divorce & family law rules
FAQ
How do you legally change your name in Kentucky?
Any person 18 or older may have his or her name changed by the District Court of the county where he or she lives (or an adjacent county for residents of a U.S. Army post or military reservation). The order is certified to the county clerk for recording unless the court seals it; the county clerk's recording fee is set by KRS 64.012. KRS Chapter 401 does not contain a newspaper publication requirement.
How do you change your name back after a divorce in Kentucky?
When a marriage is dissolved or declared invalid, the court may restore a wife's maiden or former name at her request, and must do so if there are no children of 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.