Instructions - br The West Virginia name change for an adult as described in the Chapter 48 Article 25. The process starts by filing a petition to the county's civil court where you are a resident of at least 1 year. It is easier, if you were just married, to have your certified marriage license with the raised seal or if you were recently divorced to have your divorce decree. Typically, you will not have a court hearing in West Virginia but it depends on the circumstances of the name change.br br REQUIREMENTSbr Must be a resident for at least 12 monthsbr If just married, must have your original marriage certificate.br If just divorced, must have your divorce decree.br Step 1 - Download and completely fill in the West Virginia Name Change Petition. This will be the official application for changing your name. You will need to have this form NOTARIZED.br br Step 2 - Submit your forms at the court location in your county and pay the $145 filing fee. See below for the list of courts in West Virginia.You will be given a court date for your hearing. Get a West Virginia Notice of Name Change and have it completed at the clerk's office..br br Step 3 - Get your Notice and submit it to a newspaper that circulates within your county. The clerk can usually guide you to the best newspaper to use. Once you have fully published your new name to the public, you will be given a 'Public Notice Affidavit'.br br Step 4 - Go to your hearing and if successful, you will receive a West Virginia Order For Name Change. This will be the official form for changing your name at any public or private institution.br br Step 5 - Take your official Order Changing Name to the DMV (to get a new driver's license), Social Security Office, Passport Agency, Bank, and any other institutions that should be notified of your recent name change.