Changing Your Name in Virginia
How adults change their legal name in Virginia: the court petition, publication, fees, and restoring a name after divorce.
Short answer: Apply under oath to the circuit court of the county or city where you live, listing your residence, parents' names, date and place of birth, any felony convictions, whether you must register as a sex offender, whether you are incarcerated or on probation, and any former names. Va. Code § 8.01-217
| Legal name change | Apply under oath to the circuit court of the county or city where you live, listing your residence, parents' names, date and place of birth, any felony convictions, whether you must register as a sex offender, whether you are incarcerated or on probation, and any former names. The court must order the change unless it is sought for a fraudulent purpose or would infringe on others' rights. Applications from probationers, registered sex offenders or incarcerated persons are accepted only for good cause, with notice to the Commonwealth's attorney. The statute does not require newspaper publication for an adult's name change. Source: Va. Code § 8.01-217 |
|---|---|
| Changing your name after divorce | When granting a divorce, the court must, on the motion of a party who changed their name because of the marriage, restore that party's former or maiden name by separate order meeting the requirements of the general name-change statute (§ 8.01-217). Outside of divorce, a name change is requested from the circuit court under § 8.01-217. Source: Va. Code § 20-121.4 |
Where to get help in Virginia
More Virginia divorce & family law
- Getting a Marriage License in Virginia
- Adopting a Child in Virginia
- Guardianship of a Child or Adult in Virginia
- Establishing Paternity in Virginia
- Child Custody Laws in Virginia
- How Child Support Is Calculated in Virginia
- Divorce Records in Virginia
- Alimony and Spousal Support in Virginia
- How to File for Divorce in Virginia
- Legal Separation and Annulment in Virginia
- All Virginia divorce & family law rules
FAQ
How do you legally change your name in Virginia?
Apply under oath to the circuit court of the county or city where you live, listing your residence, parents' names, date and place of birth, any felony convictions, whether you must register as a sex offender, whether you are incarcerated or on probation, and any former names. The court must order the change unless it is sought for a fraudulent purpose or would infringe on others' rights. Applications from probationers, registered sex offenders or incarcerated persons are accepted only for good cause, with notice to the Commonwealth's attorney.
How do you change your name back after a divorce in Virginia?
When granting a divorce, the court must, on the motion of a party who changed their name because of the marriage, restore that party's former or maiden name by separate order meeting the requirements of the general name-change statute (§ 8.01-217). Outside of divorce, a name change is requested from the circuit court under § 8.01-217.
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.