Name Change Information

This section does not address every circumstance that arises when one petitions the court for a name change.  You may petition the court without the assistance of a lawyer. While the Clerk’s Office staff can help with filing procedure, but it cannot give legal advice.  The Virginia State Bar’s Resources for the Public web page has information about finding a lawyer.

The Clerk’s Office Judicial Support Civil Division located on the 2nd floor of the Circuit Court Building, 7507 Library Drive, Hanover, VA, handles petitions for name changes (VA Code §8.01-217).  It is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.  See Hanover County Government Complex Map and Directions for location information.

Note: Name changes are also granted in divorce suits. Consult the attorney handling your divorce suit, if you have questions about resuming your former name. VA Code §20-121.4

Notify the Clerk’s Office at HanoverCC@courts.state.va.us, if you have questions about this web page or if any of the links do not work.

Judicial Support Civil Division – Contact Information

Call the Civil Division at the following numbers:

• 804-365-6147
• 804-365-6148
• 804-365-6143
• 804-365-6478

Filing a Petition for Name Change

An original sworn petition for name change, with copies if the petition needs to be served on any person, and the filing fee can be hand delivered or mailed to Hanover Circuit Court Clerk’s Office, Attention: Civil Division, Post Office Box 39, Hanover, VA 23069.

Virginia’s Judicial System Civil Forms Section has the following forms and instructions: 

Petition for Change of Name (Adult)[Form CC-1411]
Instructions for Petition for Name Change (Adult)[Instructions for CC-1411]
Petition for Change of Name (Child)[Form CC-1427]
Instructions for Petition for Name Change (Child)[Instructions for CC-1427]
Affidavit for Order of Publication[Form CC-1435]
Instructions for Affidavit for Order of Publication[Instructions for CC-1435]

Print the Supreme Court’s revisable PDF forms using the "Print for Submission to Court" button at the top of the form rather than the print feature of your internet browser.  The Clerk’s Office generally cannot accept forms that have gray bars over printed material.

When the forms cannot be adapted for use in requesting the name change, the petitioner must prepare a petition that meets the requirements of the law.  

What is the fee for filing a Petition for Name Change?

The filing fee for a Name Change not related to divorce can be determined on Virginia’s Judicial System Civil Filing Fee Calculator.  For help, call the Civil Division (Tel. 804-365-6147, 804-365-6148 and 804-365-6143).

Filing fees are paid in cash or by check or money order made payable to Hanover Circuit Court Clerk.

Are there fees if the petition has to be served on a person?

A service fee is charged when a copy of the petition has to be served on a person.  For example, when a living parent does not join in the application for name change of a minor, the petition shall be served on that person (VA Code §8.01-217(A)) in accordance with VA Code §8.01-296.

When the petition has to be served on a person whose address is unknown, an Affidavit for Order of Publication[Form CC-1435] must be submitted.  An Order of Publication will be entered and published in one of the newspapers authorized by the court to publish legal notices.  The Clerk’s Office will collect the fee for publishing the notice.

What happens after the petition is filed?

If the Judge grants your request, a court order will be entered granting the name change.  A certified copy of the court order will be sent to you.  In accordance with VA Code §8.01-217, the clerk of the court will record the order in the current deed book in the Clerk’s Office, index it in both the old and new names, and transmit a certified copy of the order and the application to the State Registrar of Vital Records and the Central Criminal Records Exchange.

How do I obtain copies?

The copy fee is 50¢ per page. The additional fee for certifying a copy is $2.00. Requests for copies sent by mail must be accompanied by check or money order, made payable to Hanover County Circuit Court Clerk, and a stamped self-addressed envelope. The request must identify the document to be copied.