How do I legally change my name in Louisiana?

Q: How do I legally change my name in Louisiana?

Louisiana adult name changes are governed by La. R.S. §§ 13:4751 through 13:4755 and filed in the district court of the parish of the petitioner's residence (or, for Louisiana-born petitioners, the parish of birth). 1. File the Petition - Complete a Petition for Change of Name with reasons for the change and supporting documents. - File with the district court clerk ; filing fee is approximately $300–$500 (Orleans Parish CDC: ~$485; East Baton Rouge: ~$350). - Must be a Louisiana resident OR have been born in Louisiana. 2. Notice to District Attorney - Petitioner must serve the District Attorney of the parish (La. R.S. § 13:4752). - DA may oppose if there is reason to suspect fraud or evasion. 3. No Newspaper Publication Generally Required - Louisiana does not require newspaper publication for most adult name changes. - Court may order additional notice in unusual cases. 4. Restrictions - Felons convicted of certain offenses (sex offenses, identity theft, terrorism) cannot change names unless 10 years after sentence completion (La. R.S. § 13:4751(C)). 5. Judgment & Birth Certificate Amendment - Court enters Judgment of Name Change . - For Louisiana-born petitioners, file the judgment with the Louisiana Vital Records Registry to amend the birth certificate (La. R.S. § 40:34). 6. After the Decree - Certified copies ($15 each). - File SSA Form SS-5 (free). - Update Louisiana DL at OMV ($21.50), passport, voter registration, banks. 7. Divorce-Based Restoration - La. C.C. art. 136 / La. R.S. § 9:381 allows a married woman to retain or resume use of a former name without court order — common-law right combined with statute. This is legal information, not legal advice.

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Accepted Answer

Louisiana adult name changes are governed by La. R.S. §§ 13:4751 through 13:4755 and filed in the district court of the parish of the petitioner's residence (or, for Louisiana-born petitioners, the parish of birth).

1. File the Petition

Complete a Petition for Change of Name with reasons for the change and supporting documents.

File with the district court clerk; filing fee is approximately $300–$500 (Orleans Parish CDC: ~$485; East Baton Rouge: ~$350).

Must be a Louisiana resident OR have been born in Louisiana.

2. Notice to District Attorney

Petitioner must serve the District Attorney of the parish (La. R.S. § 13:4752).

DA may oppose if there is reason to suspect fraud or evasion.

3. No Newspaper Publication Generally Required

Louisiana does not require newspaper publication for most adult name changes.

Court may order additional notice in unusual cases.

4. Restrictions

Felons convicted of certain offenses (sex offenses, identity theft, terrorism) cannot change names unless 10 years after sentence completion (La. R.S. § 13:4751(C)).

5. Judgment & Birth Certificate Amendment

Court enters Judgment of Name Change.

For Louisiana-born petitioners, file the judgment with the Louisiana Vital Records Registry to amend the birth certificate (La. R.S. § 40:34).

6. After the Decree

Certified copies ($15 each).

File SSA Form SS-5 (free).

Update Louisiana DL at OMV ($21.50), passport, voter registration, banks.

7. Divorce-Based Restoration

La. C.C. art. 136 / La. R.S. § 9:381 allows a married woman to retain or resume use of a former name without court order — common-law right combined with statute.

This is legal information, not legal advice.