How to File an Adult Name Change in Texas Without a Lawyer (Chapter 45)

In Texas, an adult (18 or older) can petition for a legal change of name in the county where they reside under Texas Family Code Chapter 45, Subchapter B (§§ 45.101–45.107). Unlike a divorce or custody suit, an adult name change is an ex parte proceeding with no opposing party or respondent.

Statutory requirements under Tex. Fam. Code § 45.102

• Where to file: you must file your Original Petition for Change of Name of an Adult in the county where you currently reside (Tex. Fam. Code § 45.101).
• Ex parte caption: the petition is styled "IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION FOR THE CHANGE OF NAME OF: [YOUR CURRENT FULL LEGAL NAME], AN ADULT".
• Identifying demographics: the petition must state your current full name, requested new name, reason for the request, date and place of birth, present home address, sex, race, and the last three digits of your Social Security number and driver's license number (Tex. Fam. Code § 45.102(a)–(b); Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 30.014).
• Criminal history & statutory disclosures: you must disclose whether you have ever been finally convicted of a felony (§ 45.102(a)(4); if so, you generally must attach proof of pardon or that at least two years have elapsed since receipt of a certificate of discharge under § 45.103(b)), whether you are subject to sex offender registration under Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ch. 62 (§ 45.102(a)(5)), and any offense above a Class C misdemeanor (§ 45.102(b)(2)).
• DPS-approved fingerprint card: you must attach a legible and complete set of your fingerprints on a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) or FBI fingerprint card (Tex. Fam. Code § 45.102(a)(6); IdentoGO DPS FAST Service Code 1192DY).

Verification: Unsworn Declaration vs. Local Court Notary Jurat

Under Texas Family Code § 45.102(a) and Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 132.001, most Texas district and county courts accept a signed Unsworn Declaration under penalty of perjury in place of a notary stamp. However, certain benches—such as Williamson County Court at Law No. 4 (Judge John B. McMaster)—enforce a local rule requiring a formal sworn Texas Notary Public Jurat with an embossed or inked notary seal. Calari Legal's Chapter 45 Engine automatically configures the proper verification block for your selected county and bench.

Step by step

1. Schedule your DPS fingerprint card

   Book an appointment with IdentoGO (Texas DPS Service Code 1192DY) to obtain your official fingerprint card for Exhibit A.

2. Prepare your Verified Original Petition & Proposed Final Order

   Include all required § 45.102 demographic and criminal history disclosures and prepare a separate zero-blank Proposed Order Granting Change of Name (§ 45.103).

3. Execute your verification (or TRCP Rule 145 fee waiver)

   Sign the CPRC § 132.001 Unsworn Declaration—or sign before a Texas Notary Public if filing in a court requiring a sworn jurat. If you cannot afford court costs, attach a TRCP Rule 145 Statement of Inability.

4. E-file or file in person with the clerk

   Submit the Verified Petition (with fingerprint card attached) as the Lead Document and the Proposed Final Order as a separate Proposed Order on eFileTexas.gov.

5. Obtain certified copies & Change of Name Certificate

   Once signed by the judge under § 45.103, request certified copies of the Final Order or a Change of Name Certificate (§ 45.106) from the clerk to update your Social Security record, Texas driver's license, and passport.

Frequently asked questions

Related guides

• How to Waive Texas Court Filing Fees Under TRCP Rule 145
• How to File for Divorce in Texas Without a Lawyer
• Find your Texas county

Last reviewed 2026-10-27. Laws change. Confirm current rules with the court clerk or an attorney.