How to Petition for a Name Change As a Minor in Kentucky

The Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution allows American citizens the ability to change their name. To do so, you must submit a petition to a court of law. Although this right also applies to children, a minor child cannot change her name without the consent of both parents. To petition for a name change in Kentucky, you must complete a Petition for Name Change form.

• 1

  Go to the Kentucky Court of Justice website and print two "Petition for Name Change" forms (see Resources). Alternatively, you can receive a form from your county's Office of Circuit Court Clerk.

• 2

  Complete and sign the forms in front of a notary republic. This form must be typed, not handwritten. The court requires that both parents sign the form. If both parents do not sign the form, you must notify the other parent of the petition. Send a copy of the petition to the parent's last known address by regular and certified mail. You must include the court date information to allow the parent a chance to appeal the name change.

• 3

  Return the form to the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in your county and pay the filing fees assessed by the circuit county clerk. The filing fee for the amount differs in each county. The clerk will give you a court date, because court appearances are required for all minor name changes.

• 4

  Appear at the scheduled court date and present your case to the judge. You must have proof that a name change is in the best interest of the child. If the judge approves the name change, you will receive an official court order stating the child's new name.