Changing Your Name in Wisconsin
How adults change their legal name in Wisconsin: the court petition, publication, fees, and restoring a name after divorce.
Short answer: A Wisconsin resident may petition the circuit court of the county where they live. Before filing, the petitioner must publish a class 3 legal notice stating the nature of the petition and when and where it will be heard, and file proof of publication. Wis. Stat. §§ 786.36, 786.37
| Legal name change | A Wisconsin resident may petition the circuit court of the county where they live. Before filing, the petitioner must publish a class 3 legal notice stating the nature of the petition and when and where it will be heard, and file proof of publication. The court may order the change if no sufficient cause is shown against it. A petitioner may ask that the petition be kept confidential. The statute makes exceptions under its subsection (3) and Wis. Stat. § 301.47. Source: Wis. Stat. §§ 786.36, 786.37 |
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| Changing your name after divorce | When granting a divorce, the court must allow either spouse, on request, to resume a former legal surname (except for certain registered sex offenders under § 301.47). Source: Wis. Stat. § 767.395 |
Where to get help in Wisconsin
More Wisconsin divorce & family law
- Getting a Marriage License in Wisconsin
- Adopting a Child in Wisconsin
- Guardianship of a Child or Adult in Wisconsin
- Establishing Paternity in Wisconsin
- Child Custody Laws in Wisconsin
- How Child Support Is Calculated in Wisconsin
- Divorce Records in Wisconsin
- Alimony and Spousal Support in Wisconsin
- How to File for Divorce in Wisconsin
- Legal Separation and Annulment in Wisconsin
- All Wisconsin divorce & family law rules
FAQ
How do you legally change your name in Wisconsin?
A Wisconsin resident may petition the circuit court of the county where they live. Before filing, the petitioner must publish a class 3 legal notice stating the nature of the petition and when and where it will be heard, and file proof of publication. The court may order the change if no sufficient cause is shown against it. A petitioner may ask that the petition be kept confidential. The statute makes exceptions under its subsection (3) and Wis. Stat. § 301.47.
How do you change your name back after a divorce in Wisconsin?
When granting a divorce, the court must allow either spouse, on request, to resume a former legal surname (except for certain registered sex offenders under § 301.47).
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.