A Rose By Any Other Name – FAQ’s Regarding a Name Change for an Adult
The Texas Family Code provides the requirements for a name change for an adult. Among other requirements, the Petition must be notarized and include the reason the name change is requested, whether the petitioner has been the subject of a final felony conviction and whether the petitioner is subject to the registration requirements of Chapter 62, Code of Criminal Procedure. A legible and complete set of the petitioner's fingerprints on a fingerprint card format acceptable to the DPS and the FBI must be filed with the Court. A criminal background check must be requested and once the report is completed, it will be returned to the court.
Some reasons for the requested change can include, but are not limited to, a person no longer likes their birth name, the name is difficult for people to pronounce and this has been burdensome to the Petitioner or a person wants a name that better suits them or a name of which they more closely identify.
A change of name does not release a person from a liability incurred in that person's previous name or defeat any right the person had in the person's previous name.
A court may order a change of name for a person with a final felony conviction if certain conditions are met.
On the final disposition of a suit for divorce, for annulment, or to declare a marriage void, a court shall enter a decree changing the name of a party specially requesting the change to a prior used name unless the court states in the decree a reason for denying the change of name.
A person whose name is changed may apply for a change of name certificate which provides proof of the name change.
“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose,
by any other name would smell as sweet.” - Shakespeare