How to Change Your Name in Utah

Co-authored by Clinton M. Sandvick, JD, PhD

Last Updated: May 6, 2021 References

This article includes step-by-step instructions for how to change your name in the state of Utah, according to the Statute 42-1-1, which allows a resident to change their name after marriage, divorce, or for personal reasons.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Changing Your Name After Marriage or Divorce

1
Get a marriage certificate. Apply for marriage licenses with both applicants present at the county clerk's office. Pay a $40 filing fee. ^{[1]
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Research source} The officiator of your wedding will send the signed license in to be recorded, after which you will receive a marriage certificate. Additional certified copies cost $5.
2
Get a divorce or annulment certificate. You can order divorce certification summaries—essentially a certified copy of the original—online through the VitalCheck system via the Utah Department of Health website. There is an $18 search fee, which includes one copy; each additional copy is $8. You can also order copies through the VitalCheck system over the phone. If you prefer to order by mail, you must send a photo copy of acceptable identification, an Application for Divorce Certification, and a check for the fee made out to the Office of Vital Records and Statistics to PO Box 141012, Salt Lake City, UT 84114-1012.^{[2]
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- You can also apply in person at 288 North 1460 West, Salt Lake City, Utah.
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3
Change your name with the Social Security Administration. Complete the SS-5 form. Gather certified copies of marriage or divorce or annulment certificate. Bring the completed SS-5 form and certified copies of marriage or divorce certificates along with a Utah driver's license, state ID, or passport to the SSA office. You will also need a U.S. birth certificate, U.S. citizenship certificate, or work authorization letter and I-94.^{[3]
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- You can also apply by mail by mailing your documents to your local SSA office along with the SS-5 form; your documents will be mailed back to you.^{[4]
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- You will receive your documents and new social security card with your new name by mail.
4
Change your name on your driver's license or state ID. Provide a current Utah driver’s license (with photo), a non-expired U.S. passport, or your Social Security card to your local Utah Department of Public Safety Driver License Division office in person. You will need proof of your name change, such as your marriage certificate (original/certified copy) or record of divorce (certified). You will then either renew your license with the new name or apply for a duplicate with the new name—you will get a duplicate if there is more than six months left before your current license expires, otherwise you will have to renew to have your license reflect your new name.^{[5]
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5
Change your name on your car title and registration. To change your name on your car title and registration you will have to visit a Utah DMV office and surrender your current title and registration. You will submit a Vehicle Application for Utah Title and pay a fee of $6 for the title and $4 for the registration.^{[6]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Changing Your name for Other Reasons

1
Prepare Department of Corrections Certification Regarding Sex Offender Registry form. This form verifies that you are not on the sex offender registry form, which would prohibit you from changing your name. Send this completed form to the address listed on the form itself with a self-addressed, stamped envelope. The form will be completed and returned to you, at which point you can prepare your petition.
2
Complete Name Change Petition and Cover Sheet forms. You will need to completely fill out a Utah Name Change Petition and Cover Sheet. Fill out the petition completely and attach your completed Department of Corrections Certification Regarding Sex Offender Registry form after it is returned to you. Sign your petition in the presence of a notary public. You must also attach a Cover Sheet for Civil Actions form.^{[7]
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- Be sure to make copies of all forms.
3
Complete Request for Hearing and Application and Affidavit for Waiver of Court Filing Fees forms. The request for hearing form asks the court to schedule a hearing in your case. The Affidavit for Waiver of Court Filing Fees form allows you to avoid the filing fee if your income is too low. ^{[8]
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4
File forms. Once you have completed all the forms up to this point, take them to the district court in the county where you have lived for at least one year. Give the documents to the court clerk and pay the filing fee. If you did not have the petition notarized, you must sign it in front of the clerk upon filing.^{[9]
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5
Public Notice. If the court requires that you send notice to anyone, you must fill out the Notice for Hearing on Petition for Name Change to show you have done so. You will need to send the notice to those you are required to notify along with your petition.^{[10]
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6
Attend your hearing. You will need to attend your court hearing and bring a prepared Order Changing Name. Dress appropriately to attend your hearing. When your number is called, stand to show you are presence and tell the judge you are representing yourself. You will stand before a podium, and you may be sworn in to testify. If your name change is granted, the judge will sign your prepared Order Changing Name at the end of the hearing. You should return to the court clerk after your order has been signed to get certified copies of the order, which you will use to change your name with any agencies or private institutions, such as your work place, bank, etc.^{[11]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Changing the Name of a Minor Child

1
Complete a Petition for Minor's Name Change for and Cover Sheet. Make a copy of the completed form for yourself and any other parent, guardian, or other party legally entitled to notice. You must give the minor notice as well if they are old enough to decide for themselves whether they agree to the name change. Sign this form in front of a notary. You must also attach a Cover Sheet for Civil Actions form.^{[12]
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2
Complete Request for Hearing and Application and Affidavit for Waiver of Court Filing Fees forms. The request for hearing form asks the court to schedule a hearing in your case. The Affidavit for Waiver of Court Filing Fees form allows you to avoid the filing fee if your income is too low. ^{[13]
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3
Get written consent from non-petitioning parent. If one parent is not petitioning for the name change—or guardian or custodian—you must get written consent from them to change the name. You must file this consent with the petition—ask the court for the proper form. If you cannot secure written permission, you must have notice and the petition sent to the non-petitioning party. Your hearing will be rescheduled to give the other party time to receive notice and respond.^{[14]
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4
Complete Request for Hearing and Application and Affidavit for Waiver of Court Filing Fees forms. The request for hearing form asks the court to schedule a hearing in your case. The Affidavit for Waiver of Court Filing Fees form allows you to avoid the filing fee if your income is too low.^{[15]
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5
File forms. Once you have completed all the forms up to this point, take them to the district court in the county where you have lived for at least one year. Give the documents to the court clerk and pay the filing fee. If you did not have the petition notarized, you must sign it in front of the clerk upon filing. Find out from the clerk whether the hearing is set automatically—if it is not, you should call about a week later to see when the hearing has been scheduled. Have your case number handy—you should have gotten one from the clerk when you filed your forms. If a hearing is not set, you may be required to submit a request to set a hearing.^{[16]
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6
Serve non-petitioning parents with Summons. You must use the form available at the court and use the court address on the form. Service must be signed by the recipient to be valid. After the signed receipt is sent back to you, you must attach it to the Proof of Service by Mail form. Attach the Summons to this form as well and file it with the court.^{[17]
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- If you cannot get service by mail, you may have a sheriff present the Summons and Petition. If you cannot afford the fee for this service, you may present an Application for Waiver of Court Fees. You will receive a Return of Service form after the delivery which you should file with the court after making a copy for yourself.^{[18]
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- The person served has 30 days to respond if they live outside Utah, 21 days in they live in the state. If they do not respond, you will have to file a Motion to Waive Service, Petitioner's Affidavit in Support of Motion to Waive Service, and Order to Waive Service with the court.^{[19]
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7
Attend the hearing. Bring copies of all your forms with you to the hearing and be prepared to testify to any and all information. Bring the minor with you to the hearing—they must be prepared to testify as well. Prepare the final Order Changing Minor's Name before the hearing, the judge will sign your prepared Order at the end of the hearing. You should return to the court clerk after the order has been signed to get certified copies of the order, which you will use to change the minor's name with any agencies or private institutions.