CIV-GP-82F – Petition for Family Change of Name

Jurisdiction: United States | States: New York

What is a CIV-GP-82F – Petition for Family Change of Name?

This is the Civil Court of the City of New York form for changing the legal names of multiple related people in one case. A single sworn petition can cover adults, minors, or both, so the family’s reasons and relationships are presented together. Filing opens a civil proceeding; a judge reviews your information, reasons, disclosures, and any consents or notices, then decides whether to approve the changes.

Families use this petition to unify surnames after marriage or divorce, align names in blended households, correct errors, add or remove hyphens, restore cultural or religious spellings, or choose names that promote safety and privacy. Parents or guardians often file for children, and adults can file together so all requests are decided in one matter. If approved, the court issues a signed order. That order authorizes the new names and is the document you show to agencies and organizations to update records.

You can request first, middle, and last name changes. Each person’s proposed name must be stated exactly and supported by reliable identification. The case does not change any other legal status or orders; it only authorizes the new names. After approval, you typically take certified copies of the order to government offices and institutions to update records.

The petition is verified—signed under oath. The court may decide on papers or set a brief hearing. In appropriate safety situations, the court can waive publication or seal records. Because the form is designed for families, it lets multiple related individuals proceed together, which can reduce duplicate filings and clarify relationships for the judge.

This form is for New York City residents filing in Civil Court. It is not for businesses or organizations and does not replace adoptions or other family proceedings. Its focus is limited: authorizing new legal names after the court confirms the request is proper and not intended to evade obligations.

When Would You Use a CIV-GP-82F – Petition for Family Change of Name?

Use this form when one family or household wants multiple name changes handled in one case. It is practical when a parent seeks the same surname for several children, when both parents want to share a family name with their children, or when a guardian requests coordinated changes for siblings. Couples may file together to share a surname or harmonize names in a blended family.

Other common uses include correcting misspellings or inconsistencies on vital or school records, restoring a former name after divorce while also updating a child’s surname, or adopting a culturally accurate spelling (including diacritics). Coordinating changes can simplify interactions with schools, medical providers, and agencies, reduce record confusion, and streamline travel and document verification. The form accommodates first and middle name changes as well, allowing you to present all planned adjustments at once.

Families with safety or privacy concerns sometimes seek waivers of publication or sealing. If publication would increase risk due to stalking, harassment, or similar threats, provide specific facts supporting your request. You can include sensitive details in an attachment and ask the court to limit access.

If only one adult seeks a change, a single-person petition might be simpler. If adult family members live in different counties or states, filing together may be impractical; each person often files where they live. When you and your minor children live in New York City, one CIV-GP-82F can avoid duplicate case numbers and repetitive steps. The form is flexible: include all related household members whose names you want to change, even if the changes differ per person.

Before filing, clarify goals. Decide whether everyone will share the same surname or use a hyphenated or combined surname. If you are correcting records, gather documents showing the error. If you are seeking privacy protections, outline the facts supporting a waiver or sealing. The petition should present who is included, how each person is related, and why each change is reasonable.

Legal Characteristics of the CIV-GP-82F – Petition for Family Change of Name

The petition is a verified civil filing that starts the case. It does not change names by itself; only a signed court order does. The Civil Court of the City of New York hears these petitions for NYC residents who file in the correct county. You submit a sworn statement listing each person’s current and proposed names, reasons, and required disclosures regarding criminal, civil, and financial history so the court can evaluate the request.

The court’s review centers on legitimacy and transparency. You must affirm that you are not using the petition to avoid debts, court orders, support obligations, or criminal accountability. Adults must disclose convictions, pending charges, probation or parole, civil judgments, liens, bankruptcies, and child support obligations, attaching documentation if available. Full disclosure does not automatically defeat the petition; it shows you are not misusing the process.

When minors are included, the judge applies a best interests standard. The court considers the child’s welfare, the parent-child relationships, the child’s identity and continuity, the length of time a name has been used, reasons for the change, and any objection by a parent. The court may require written consents or proof of proper notice to a nonconsenting parent and can inquire further if there is a dispute.

The court can require publication of the granted change and service of the order on agencies. In appropriate safety cases, the judge may waive publication, limit who must be notified, or seal the record to reduce risk. Provide facts that support these requests. The court has discretion to tailor directions to your family’s circumstances.

A signed order authorizes the new names and may include directions on publication, service, or follow-up steps. It does not erase prior names from history or automatically update records. Existing obligations continue; you carry them forward under your new legal name. Agencies update records after you present a certified copy of the order.

Practical limits apply: courts usually reject names containing symbols, numerals, offensive language, or names designed to mislead. Propose clear, lawful names. Use suffixes (Jr., Sr., III) consistently to avoid confusion. If you add diacritics or hyphens, spell the name exactly as you want it to appear on the order. Some agencies may not display certain characters due to technical limits, so plan how your name will appear across systems.

Because the petition is sworn, false statements can result in denial, sanctions, or penalties. If you discover an error, you can seek to amend. Clarity, completeness, and candor help the court decide efficiently.

How to Fill Out a CIV-GP-82F – Petition for Family Change of Name

1. Confirm venue.

• File in the NYC county where you reside: Bronx, Kings (Brooklyn), New York (Manhattan), Queens, or Richmond (Staten Island). If family members live in different NYC counties, use the county where the primary petitioner or most petitioners reside. Housing instability does not bar filing; show your county connection (shelter letter, mail, services letter).

2. Gather documents.

• Adults: photo ID and proof of address. Everyone: certified birth certificates (long-form for minors preferred). Collect marriage/divorce records if relevant, and documents for judgments, liens, support, bankruptcy, or criminal matters. If records vary in spelling, collect examples. Translate non-English documents and include a translator’s statement when possible.

3. Complete the caption.

• Enter “Civil Court of the City of New York” and the correct county. Leave the index number blank; the clerk assigns it at filing. Follow the form’s format for the proceeding title (for example, “In the Matter of the Application of [Petitioners] for a Change of Name”).

4. Identify the parties (Parties).

• List each petitioner’s full current name, mailing address, and contact information. For minors, a parent or guardian is the petitioner on the child’s behalf; identify the relationship. Include every person you want covered.

5. State current and proposed names.

• For each person, list the exact current legal name and the exact proposed name, including first, middle, last, and any suffix. Double-check hyphens, spacing, capitalization, and any diacritics.

6. Provide personal details.

• For each, include date and place of birth, current address, and length of residence in the county. If recently moved, provide prior address if the form requests it.

7. Explain relationships.

• Briefly describe how petitioners are related (parent and child, siblings, spouses, or legal guardian). Clarify step or guardianship ties when relevant and why adults are filing together if not all are parents of the minors.

8. Give your reason (Clauses: purpose statement).

• Provide practical, factual reasons for each person (unifying surname, correcting errors, cultural or religious alignment, or safety). Identify any record errors you are correcting. For safety, give limited public details and note that fuller facts appear in a sealed statement if requested.

9. Address fraud and obligations (Clauses: compliance).

• Affirm that the petition is not to avoid debts, orders, support, or criminal accountability and that you will honor existing obligations under the new name.

10. Disclose criminal and civil history.

• For each adult, list convictions, pending cases, probation or parole status, and civil judgments, liens, bankruptcies, and support orders. Provide dates, case numbers, and attach dispositions or orders when possible, noting whether matters are resolved or pending.

11. Prior names and petitions.

• List all prior legal names (maiden, married, prior court-ordered names). Identify previous name change petitions, with when and where filed, and note outcomes if asked.

12. Minors’ consents and best interests.

• Attach consents from both living parents when available. If consent is missing, explain why and how you will provide notice. Include guardianship proof when applicable. Briefly explain why the change benefits the child. If appropriate, include the child’s preference.

13. Safety and publication requests (Clauses: confidentiality).

• If publication or a public file creates risk, request a waiver or sealing and provide specific facts. Specify whether you seek to seal the entire file, addresses, or limited exhibits, and why that scope is necessary.

14. Add attachments (Schedules/Exhibits).

• Label exhibits (for example, A for birth certificates, B for marriage/divorce, C for guardianship, D for dispositions or judgments). Include proof of current residence, certified vital records, relevant orders, and any translations with a translator’s statement.

15. Review and proofread.

• Ensure identical spellings across the petition and exhibits, confirm dates and places of birth, and verify county residency details. Check proposed names for precise punctuation and spacing.

16. Sign and notarize (Signatures).

• Sign the verification in front of a notary. Adults sign for themselves; parents or guardians sign for minors. Bring ID matching your current legal name. If you correct a signature block, initial changes and keep the notary section readable.

17. Make copies.

• Keep a full set of the petition and exhibits for your records, plus extra sets for service and publication proofs. Label originals and copies clearly.

18. File with the court.

• File in the proper county clerk’s office, obtain the index number, and pay the fee or apply for a fee waiver if needed. Ask how you will receive notices and whether a hearing is likely.

19. Attend the hearing if scheduled.

• Bring originals of key records and consents. Answer questions clearly about reasons, relationships, disclosures, and, for minors, best interests. If objections arise, respond calmly and factually.

20. Complete post-order steps.

• If granted, get certified copies of the order. Follow directions for publication or service, meet deadlines, and file proofs with the court. Keep your proofs.

21. Update your records.

• Update Social Security, DMV, passport, and vital records first, then banks, employers, schools, medical providers, insurers, and other institutions. Bring certified copies as requested.

22. Keep your paperwork.

• Store certified orders securely and maintain a complete file with your petition, exhibits, and proof of service or publication. Keep a log of where and when you updated records.

Legal Terms You Might Encounter

A petitioner is the person asking for the name change; when a minor is involved, the petitioner is usually the parent or guardian acting on the child’s behalf. There is typically no respondent unless the court designates one for notice. Jurisdiction is the court’s authority to hear your case; venue is the specific county where you file. The index number (case or docket number) is assigned by the clerk and tracks your case.

Verification is the sworn statement at the end of the petition; you sign before a notary who confirms your identity. Consent is a written agreement from a person whose approval is needed (often the other parent for a child). Notice is the formal delivery of case papers to the required person. An affidavit of service is a sworn statement by the person who served the papers, describing when and how service occurred. Publication is a court-ordered announcement of the granted change; you may request a waiver or sealing to protect safety. Sealing limits who can view all or parts of the file; the court decides whether and to what extent to seal.

The court’s decision is an order. Once signed, it authorizes the new name and may include directions for publication, service, or other steps. A certified copy is stamped by the clerk to show it is an official duplicate; agencies often require certified copies. For minors, the best interests standard guides the judge’s analysis and can include identity, continuity, safety, and the child’s ties to each parent. Exhibits are supporting documents attached to the petition, which should be labeled for easy reference.

Service is how documents are delivered formally, often by personal delivery; the court may allow substituted or mail service in certain circumstances. A disposition is the outcome of a criminal case (conviction, dismissal, or similar). A lien is a legal claim against property; disclosing liens shows the change is not intended to evade them. A notary acknowledgment confirms that the signer appeared, presented identification, and signed willingly.

FAQs

Do you need a separate petition for each family member?

No. This form allows multiple related people in one case. List each person, their current and proposed names, and attach their supporting documents. Combining requests clarifies relationships and reasons and can save fees. If a family member lives outside NYC or wants to file alone, they can file separately without affecting this petition.

Do you have to change only the last name?

No. You can change first, middle, and last names. Be exact and consistent in spelling, hyphens, diacritics, and suffixes. If different family members request different formats (for example, hyphenated versus non-hyphenated), specify each clearly and keep the spelling identical wherever it appears.

Do you need the other parent’s consent for a child?

Usually, you provide consent from the other parent or show that proper notice was given. If consent is unavailable, explain why and how you will notify the other parent. The court decides based on the child’s best interests. If the other parent’s location is unknown, describe your efforts to locate them and follow any alternate notice instructions from the court.

Do you have to go to a hearing?

Sometimes. Some petitions are decided on the papers; others require a brief appearance to verify reasons, disclosures, and, for minors, best interests. Watch for court notices and bring originals of key records if a hearing is set. Hearings are typically short and focused.

Do you have to publish the name change?

It depends on the order. Some petitions require publication; others may be waived when safety or privacy concerns are credibly presented. If ordered, publish promptly and file proof by the deadline. If publication risks harm, explain the danger and request a waiver or partial sealing.

Do you need to disclose past legal or financial issues?

Yes. Disclose convictions, pending cases, judgments, liens, bankruptcies, and support obligations. Provide brief details (case type, date, status) and attach documents when possible. Transparency minimizes delays and demonstrates proper use of the process.

Do you need certified documents?

Yes. Certified birth records and relevant court orders (custody, guardianship) help verify identity and relationships. Use legible copies for filing and bring originals to a hearing. Include translations for documents not in English, ideally with a translator’s statement.

Do you have to update your records after approval?

Yes. After receiving the signed order, update government identification and vital records first, then financial institutions, employers, schools, and medical providers. Many offices require a certified copy. Track your updates and confirmations to avoid gaps.

Checklist: Before, During, and After the CIV-GP-82F – Petition for Family Change of Name

Before signing

• Current and proposed names for each person; confirm exact spelling, hyphens, diacritics, and suffixes.
• Dates and places of birth; proof of residence for the filing county.
• Certified birth records; marriage, divorce, custody, or guardianship papers as applicable.
• Prior legal names and any past name change petitions (dates and locations).
• Criminal dispositions; pending case information; judgments, liens, bankruptcies; support orders.
• Consents from parents or guardians or a concrete notice plan if consent is unavailable.
• Safety facts supporting publication waiver or sealing, with a separate sensitive statement if needed.
• Translations for non-English documents, with translator statements when available.

During signing

• Verify every name, date, and place matches supporting records.
• Ensure reasons are clear and tailored by person where needed.
• Confirm complete disclosures for each adult petitioner.
• Include guardianship proof and consents; note steps for notice when consent is missing.
• Specify any publication waiver or sealing request and its scope.
• Label all exhibits and reference them in the petition.
• Sign the verification before a notary; initial any corrections.

After signing

• Make full copy sets for yourself and for service or publication.
• File with the clerk; obtain your index number and receipt; confirm how you will receive notices.
• Track deadlines for publication, service, and hearings and set reminders.
• Prepare for any hearing; bring originals and be ready to answer focused questions.
• After a decision, follow the order’s instructions first, then update government IDs and key accounts.
• Store certified orders and a clean copy set; keep a log of updates completed and pending.

Common Mistakes to Avoid CIV-GP-82F – Petition for Family Change of Name

• Omitting a family member or relationship details. Result: that person is not covered and may need a new petition. Make a roster of all included people with full entries (current and proposed names, birth data, relationship, and reason) before filing.
• Inconsistent spellings or dates between the petition and exhibits. Result: delays or questions. Cross-check every name, date of birth, and place of birth. If a document contains a typo you are fixing, mention the discrepancy rather than silently using a different spelling.
• Incomplete disclosures of legal or financial matters. Result: possible denial or amendment. Disclose convictions, pending cases, judgments, liens, bankruptcies, and support obligations. If in doubt, disclose briefly and attach any available documentation.
• Not addressing consent or notice for a child. Result: postponements. Plan ahead to obtain consent or to complete notice. If a parent’s location is unknown, document your efforts to find them and follow the court-approved alternate notice.
• Failing to request safety protections when needed. Result: unnecessary exposure. If publication or a public file creates risk, request a waiver or sealing and provide specific facts supporting the scope you seek.

 What to Do After Filling Out the Form CIV-GP-82F – Petition for Family Change of Name

1. File the signed petition and exhibits with the clerk; note your index number and how the court will send updates. Keep your receipt and, if available, a stamped copy. Ask whether a hearing is expected and what the next steps are.
2. If you discover an error before a decision, prepare a corrected version and ask how to submit an amended petition. Act promptly. If a hearing is scheduled, bring the amended version and be ready to explain the change.
3. If the court requires service or publication, follow the method and deadlines exactly. Obtain an affidavit of service from the server. For publication, keep receipts and proofs. File compliance papers before the deadline.
4. After approval, obtain multiple certified copies of the signed order. Update records in a logical sequence: Social Security and vital records first, then DMV and passport, followed by banks, employers, schools, insurers, and other institutions. Bring certified copies to each.
5. Provide copies to schools, medical providers, and payroll/benefits administrators as requested. Some keep a certified copy; others return it. Ask how many certified copies you will need so you can plan.
6. Maintain a secure packet with the filed petition, signed order, proofs of service/publication, and a running list of updates completed (with dates). Add new confirmations as you go. If you later find a record still showing an old name, return to your list and complete that update.