Changing Your Name in Nebraska
How adults change their legal name in Nebraska: the court petition, publication, fees, and restoring a name after divorce.
Short answer: A person files a petition in the district court of the county where he or she lives, stating that he or she has been a bona fide resident of that county for at least one year, along with address, date of birth, the reason for the change and the new name. Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 25-21,270, 25-21,271
| Legal name change | A person files a petition in the district court of the county where he or she lives, stating that he or she has been a bona fide resident of that county for at least one year, along with address, date of birth, the reason for the change and the new name. Notice of the filing must be published in a county newspaper once a week for two consecutive weeks, unless the court waives it because notice would endanger the petitioner. The court orders the change after proof in open court that the allegations are true and there is proper and reasonable cause. |
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| Changing your name after divorce | Either spouse may ask in the divorce or annulment to restore a former name, and the court must grant it unless there is good cause not to. A parent and child having different surnames is not, by itself, good cause. The change takes effect on the date of the decree. Source: Neb. Rev. Stat. § 42-380 |
Where to get help in Nebraska
More Nebraska divorce & family law
- Getting a Marriage License in Nebraska
- Adopting a Child in Nebraska
- Guardianship of a Child or Adult in Nebraska
- Establishing Paternity in Nebraska
- Child Custody Laws in Nebraska
- How Child Support Is Calculated in Nebraska
- Divorce Records in Nebraska
- Alimony and Spousal Support in Nebraska
- How to File for Divorce in Nebraska
- Legal Separation and Annulment in Nebraska
- All Nebraska divorce & family law rules
FAQ
How do you legally change your name in Nebraska?
A person files a petition in the district court of the county where he or she lives, stating that he or she has been a bona fide resident of that county for at least one year, along with address, date of birth, the reason for the change and the new name. Notice of the filing must be published in a county newspaper once a week for two consecutive weeks, unless the court waives it because notice would endanger the petitioner. The court orders the change after proof in open court that the allegations are true and there is proper and reasonable cause.
How do you change your name back after a divorce in Nebraska?
Either spouse may ask in the divorce or annulment to restore a former name, and the court must grant it unless there is good cause not to. A parent and child having different surnames is not, by itself, good cause. The change takes effect on the date of the decree.
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.