Connecticut Name Change Instructions and Forms Package for a Family
Note: This summary is not intended to be an all inclusive discussion of the law applicable to an action for change of name in your State, but does include basic and other provisions.
Name Change Action Allowed: In Connecticut, a person may change the name of a minor by filing an action in the Superior Court or the Probate Court (other than change of name incident to dissolution of marriage) with appropriate forms.
Who is an adult? In Connecticut, a person who has attained the age of 18 years is considered an adult.
Who is a minor? In Connecticut, a person who has not attained the age of 18 years is considered a minor.
Is there any reason why a petitioner might not be allowed to change the name of a minor? Yes. The court must find that the requested name change is consistent with the public interest. If an objection to the proposed name change is presented by a parent or guardian, the court may consider the objection and grant the Petition only if it is based on reasonable grounds. A person is not allowed to change the name of a minor in order to avoid judgments or legal actions against the minor, or to avoid the minor's debts and obligations. A person can not change the name of a minor to defraud any person.
Must the child agree to the name change? No, but the court may consider the wishes of a child old enough to express their wishes in considering whether to grant the Petition.
Must the parent(s) of the minor agree to the name change? If the Petition is filed by a parent and the second parent doe not join in the Petition, the Petitioner must explain the reasons the other parent chose not to join in the Petition.
Requirements for Name Change Order: For an order of name change to be granted, the court must finds sufficient reasons for the change and also find it consistent with the public interest. A change of name upon marriage, dissolution, or divorce meets these requirements.
Is Publication of a Notice Required? No.
Can individuals object to the Petition for Name Change? The court has the discretion to consider any objection that it considers of sufficient weight to warrant consideration.
Procedures: The Petitioner begins the name change process by filing an Application for Change of Name (Adult) in the Superior Court or the Probate Court in the Judicial District in which the Petitioner resides. No public notice is required. The court may issue an Order of Name Change if satisfied that the request is based on reasonable grounds and not for an improper purpose.
Additional Information and Instructions
Statutes:
Complaints for change of name:
(a) The superior court in each judicial district shall have jurisdiction of complaints praying for a change of name, brought by any person residing in the judicial district, and may change the name of the complainant, who shall thereafter be known by the name prescribed by said court in its decree.
(b) Whenever the court, pursuant to this section, orders a change of name of a person, the clerk of the court shall notify the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection of the issuance of such order if the clerk finds that such person is listed in the registry established and maintained pursuant to section 54-257 or in the registry established and maintained pursuant to section 54-280.[Title 52 - Civil Actions, Chapter 895 - Civil Jurisdiction, Sec. 52-11]
Jurisdiction to grant change of name:
(a) The courts of probate shall have concurrent jurisdiction with the Superior Court, as provided in section 52-11, to grant a change of name, except a change of name granted in accordance with subsection (a) of section 46b-63.
(b) Whenever the court, pursuant to this section, orders a change of name of a person, the court shall notify the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection of the issuance of such order if the court finds that such person is listed in the registry established and maintained pursuant to section 54-257. [Title 45a - Probate Courts and Procedure, Chapter 801a - Probate Court: Jurisdictions, Powers, Sec. 45a-99. (Formerly Sec. 45-3b)]
Other Name Change References:
Family relations matters defined:
Matters within the jurisdiction of the Superior Court deemed to be family relations matters shall be matters affecting or involving:
(4) alimony, support, custody and change of name incident to dissolution of marriage, legal separation and annulment;
(6) complaints for change of name;
Conn. Gen. Stat., Title 46b - Family Law, Chapter 815 - Court Proceedings in Family Relations Matters, Sec. 46b-1.
Restoration of birth name or former name of spouse:
(a) At the time of entering a decree dissolving a marriage, the court, upon request of either spouse, shall restore the birth name or former name of such spouse.
(b) At any time after entering a decree dissolving a marriage, the court, upon motion of either spouse, shall modify such judgment and restore the birth name or former name of such spouse. [Title 46b - Family Law, Chapter 815j* - Dissolution of Marriage, Legal Separation and Annulment, Part I - General Provisions, Sec. 46b-63. (Formerly Sec. 46-60).]
Change in name or status of owner of real estate:
Any person, corporation, limited liability company or limited liability partnership owning real estate or having an interest therein whose name has been changed, any corporation which has been merged into or consolidated with another, and any general or limited partnership which has converted to a limited liability company or limited liability partnership, shall, within sixty days after the change, merger, consolidation or conversion file with the town clerk of the town in which the real estate is located a certificate, duly acknowledged, giving the name before and after the change, merger, consolidation or conversion and the town clerk shall record and index the certificate in the land records. [Title 47 - Land and Land Titles, Chapter 821 - Land Titles, Sec. 47-12]
Conveyance of property acquired prior to change of name:
Any person or corporation who conveys property acquired prior to a change of name shall state in the instrument of conveyance the name under which that person or corporation acquired the property, and the town clerk shall index the record of the instrument in the name under which the property was acquired and in the name under which it was transferred. [Title 47 - Land and Land Titles, Chapter 821 - Land Titles, Sec. 47-13]
