A name change in Louisiana is granted by a district court judge after you file a verified petition, serve the local district attorney, publish notice of the request, and attend a hearing. The process is governed by Louisiana Revised Statutes Title 13, Sections 4751 through 4755. Filing fees generally run $250 to $500 depending on the parish, and the case can take several weeks to a few months from filing to signed order. Rules differ for adults and minors, and certain felony convictions can block you from petitioning at all.
Who Can File and Where
Any Louisiana resident who has reached the age of majority can petition on their own behalf. You are not confined to the parish where you live. Louisiana law gives you three choices: the district court in your parish of residence, the district court in the parish where you were born if that was in Louisiana, or Orleans Parish, which houses the Vital Records Registry.1Louisiana State Legislature. Louisiana Revised Statutes Title 13 RS 13-4751 – Petition for Name Change; Adults; Minors People incarcerated in a state penal institution must file in the district court of the parish where the institution sits.
A minor cannot file for themselves. A parent or legal guardian files on the child’s behalf, and the same three filing locations apply.
Felony Convictions That Block a Petition
If you have been convicted of any felony, you cannot petition for a name change until your entire sentence, including probation and parole, is complete. Being on supervised release counts the same as being in custody for this purpose.1Louisiana State Legislature. Louisiana Revised Statutes Title 13 RS 13-4751 – Petition for Name Change; Adults; Minors
For a conviction that qualifies as a “crime of violence” under Louisiana law, the bar is permanent. The statutory list is long and includes murder, rape, armed robbery, kidnapping, carjacking, human trafficking, stalking, and home invasion, among others.2Louisiana State Legislature. Louisiana Revised Statutes Title 14 RS 14-2 – Definitions A conviction on that list closes the door regardless of how much time has passed.
What the Petition Must Contain
The petition needs your current legal name, the name you want, your date of birth, your residence address, and the reason for the change. It must be verified, meaning you swear under oath before a notary or other authorized official that the contents are true.1Louisiana State Legislature. Louisiana Revised Statutes Title 13 RS 13-4751 – Petition for Name Change; Adults; Minors Judges look for a legitimate reason and will deny petitions that look designed to dodge debts, evade criminal liability, or commit fraud.
Serving the District Attorney
Louisiana requires the district attorney of the parish where you file to be served with a copy of your petition. The proceeding is contradictory, which gives the DA standing to oppose the change on public safety or fraud grounds.3Justia. Louisiana Revised Statutes 13-4752 – Representation of State; Service You can deliver the petition to the DA’s office directly or arrange formal service through the clerk of court. The court will not move forward without it.
Publishing Notice
After filing, the court typically requires you to publish a notice of your petition in a local newspaper. How many times the notice must run, and in what publication, varies by parish. The publication period lets the public raise objections before the hearing. Costs generally range from around $50 to $150, sometimes more, depending on the newspaper and the length of the notice.
There is an important exception for people who face safety risks. In cases involving domestic violence or stalking, the court has discretion to waive the publication requirement to protect the petitioner. Raise this at filing if it applies to you.
The Hearing and the Order
Once publication is complete and the DA has been served, the judge will hear the petition, either in open court or in chambers. You present your reason and any supporting evidence. The judge considers any objections from the DA or third parties and rules.4Justia. Louisiana Revised Statutes 13-4753 – Hearing and Determination A granted petition produces a court order that becomes the legal basis for updating every other record you hold.
Changing a Minor’s Name
The court process for a minor tracks the adult process but adds parental consent requirements. Both the father and the mother must sign the petition. If one parent has died, the surviving parent can sign alone.1Louisiana State Legislature. Louisiana Revised Statutes Title 13 RS 13-4751 – Petition for Name Change; Adults; Minors
Where one parent has sole custody, the court may proceed with only that parent’s signature, though the noncustodial parent generally must be notified and given a chance to object. If consent cannot be obtained and there is no custody order, the court weighs whether the change is in the child’s best interests. Judges are protective in these cases; the emphasis falls on the child’s stability and welfare rather than a parent’s preference.
What It Costs
Total cost depends on your parish and whether you hire an attorney. The main line items:
- Court filing fee, typically $300 to $500, though some parishes charge less. Jefferson Parish, for example, charges $250 for a name change petition.524th Judicial District Court. Fee Schedule
- Newspaper publication, roughly $50 to $150 or more depending on the paper and the notice length.
- Certified copies of the court order. You will need several to update records. Fees vary by parish but are generally modest.
- Attorney fees, if you hire one. Many people handle name changes without a lawyer, but counsel can be worth it if your case involves a felony history, a contested minor petition, or another complication.
If you cannot afford the filing fee, you can ask the court to let you proceed in forma pauperis, a request to waive fees based on your financial situation.
Updating Your Records After the Order
A signed order does not push your new name through government databases. You have to update each record yourself, and the order matters. Start with Social Security, since most other agencies want to see a matching SSA record before they will update theirs.
Social Security Card
Complete Form SS-5 and submit it with your court order and proof of identity such as a driver’s license or passport. The order has to identify you by both your old and new names.6Social Security Administration. Learn What Documents You Will Need to Get a Social Security Card You can apply in person at a Social Security office or by mail. Only original documents or certified copies are accepted; photocopies will be rejected.7Social Security Administration. Application for Social Security Card The card itself is free.
Louisiana Driver’s License
Take your certified court order and current identification to any Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles location that handles driver’s license name changes. A fee applies to reissue the license. A name change can only be processed on a valid, unexpired credential, so handle it before your license expires if renewal is close.
U.S. Passport
Which form you use depends on when your current passport was issued. If it was issued less than a year ago, use Form DS-5504. If it was issued more than a year ago, use Form DS-82.8U.S. Department of State. Frequently Asked Questions About Passport Services Both are available through the State Department’s forms portal.9U.S. Department of State. Forms Portal – Passport Forms Submit the completed form with your court order and current passport.
Louisiana Birth Certificate
To amend a Louisiana birth certificate, send a certified copy of the court order, the original petition, and the district attorney’s answer (if any) to the Louisiana Department of Health’s Vital Records office.10Louisiana Department of Health. Amendments to Birth Records The amendment fee is $27.50, which includes one certified copy of the amended record.11Louisiana Department of Health. Vital Records Service Fees Processing generally runs 8 to 12 weeks.
IRS and Tax Records
Use IRS Form 8822 to report the change. Line 5 captures prior names for you and your spouse. The IRS recommends updating your name with SSA first, because a mismatch between the name on your return and the name in SSA’s records can delay a refund and affect Social Security benefits later.12Internal Revenue Service. Form 8822 Change of Address
Credit Bureaus
Contact Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion separately. Updating one does not update the others. Most handle name changes through their online process, using a name change request rather than a traditional dispute, with supporting documents like your court order, updated driver’s license, or Social Security card. Allow up to 30 days for processing. Doing this promptly avoids split credit files.
Property Deeds
If you own real estate, your deed still reflects your former name until you act. The usual approach is a quitclaim deed transferring the property from your old name to your new one. You are not selling anything; you are updating the record. The deed has to be notarized and recorded with the parish recorder’s office, and recording and notary fees apply. If you carry a mortgage, notify the lender so they have your current legal name on file, though the lender does not change the deed for you.
Employer and Professional Licenses
Tell your employer so they can update your Form I-9. The employer records the change on Supplement B of the I-9.13U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Instructions for Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification A mismatch between your legal name and employment records can cause payroll, withholding, and E-Verify problems.
If you hold a professional license, in nursing, law, engineering, teaching, or another regulated field, notify your licensing board. Many boards require notice within 30 days and ask for a copy of your court order. Deadlines and procedures vary by profession, so check directly with your board.
Wills and Trusts
A name change does not invalidate an existing will or trust, but it can create confusion when the documents use your old name and your assets are now titled under the new one. For a simple will, a codicil noting the new name is usually enough. Living trusts are more involved; if the trust’s title includes your name, you may need to create a new trust and retitle assets into it, which is worth handling with an attorney. Keep a copy of your court order with your estate planning file so the link between your old and new identities is clear to anyone who administers your estate.
Obligations Follow You
A name change does not erase existing legal obligations. Debts, court orders, and contracts follow you regardless of what name you use. Courts expect you to notify creditors and other relevant parties, and failing to do so can look like fraud, which is exactly what judges screen for when reviewing the petition.