The name change petition can be filed in the County Court or Supreme Court of the county where you live. For a name change, you need to bring either an original or certified copy of your birth certificate if you were born in New York State.To change your name in NYC, you need a Petition and your original birth certificate. For this form you'll put your full legal DEADNAME (including middle) in the Plaintiff field. New York Name Change Laws. To obtain a legal name change in New York, an applicant must submit a petition to the court. To file for a name change in New York, the individual seeking a name change must have lived in New York for at least six (6) months and be a current resident. Your birth certificate. You must use the original or a certified copy, they have raised seals. You must have a certified legal name change court order.