How to Change My Son's Last Name in Illinois
- 1). Request a Petition for Change of Name form from the clerk's office in the county the child lives in.
- 2). Fill out the form completely, including the contact information of everyone involved. You may have to pay a fee when filing the form. You will need to document the reasons for the name change and show that the name change is in the best interests of the child.
- 3). Publish a notice of request for a name change in the newspaper in or closest to the county where the child lives. The court may do this for you. This notice will give anybody who objects to the name change a chance to come forward.
- 4). Wait for the county clerk to process the paperwork and schedule a hearing in front of a judge. You will be notified of the hearing date by mail.
- 5). Attend the hearing. The judge will review all documentation and ask for any additional information she may need to reach a decision. The judge will question witnesses and possibly the child, depending on the child's age. Once the judge has all the information, she will render a formal decision.
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