Changing Your Name in North Carolina

A person who wants to change his or her name for good cause applies to the clerk of superior court in the county where he or she lives. The application lists the current name, county and date of birth, parents' names and the new name, and includes the results of a state and national criminal history check done within 90 days, plus a sworn statement of county residence and domicile and whether the applicant owes taxes or child support. The clerk orders the change if there are good and sufficient reasons and the requirements are met. Records are kept confidential for address confidentiality program participants and victims of domestic violence, sexual offenses or stalking.

After an absolute divorce, a person may change their name by filing an application with the clerk of court in the county where they live or where the divorce was granted. A woman may resume her maiden name, the surname of a deceased prior husband, or the surname of a living prior husband if she has children with that surname; a man may resume his premarriage surname.