Petition for Change of Name in West Virginia
Start with the official West Virginia form
The canonical, court-accepted version of this form is published by the Circuit Court. Search your county or district court's website for the current Petition for Change of Name form before relying on any template. Forms are revised periodically — always confirm you have the current revision before filing.
Verify with your local court clerk before filing: local rules sometimes add cover-sheet, formatting, or service requirements beyond what the state-issued form shows.
West Virginia Requirements
- WV resident
- Petition with reason
- Publication required
- Court hearing
Circuit Court
Approximately $200 plus publication costs
How to Complete This Form
- 1Obtain a name change petition form from your local court or court website.
- 2Complete the petition with your current legal name, proposed new name, and reason for the change.
- 3File the petition with the court clerk and pay the filing fee.
- 4If required by your state, complete fingerprinting and a criminal background check.
- 5If required, publish notice of the name change in a designated newspaper for the required period.
- 6Attend the court hearing and bring identification and any supporting documents.
- 7After the court grants the order, update your name on identification documents, bank accounts, and other records.
Editorial Template (Not the Official Court Form)
This is an educational template showing the typical structure of a Petition for Change of Name in West Virginia. It is not a court-validated form and should not be used in place of the official form issued by the Circuit Court. Use this template only to understand what information you will need to assemble before completing the official form. Submitting this template instead of the official form may result in rejection by the court clerk.
Petition for Change of Name in Other States
Other Forms in West Virginia
When to Talk to a Lawyer
- You have a criminal record or are a registered sex offender and your state imposes additional requirements.
- You are changing a minor child's name and the other parent objects or cannot be located.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.