Instructions - br The California name change for an adult as described in the State Code 1275-1279.6 is done by filing a petition to the county's civil court where you are a resident. 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 California but it depends on the circumstances of the name change.br br REQUIREMENTSbr Must be a resident for at least 6 monthsbr If just married, must have your original marriage certificate.br If just divorced, must have your divorce decree.br Step 1 - Fill-Out the California Petition for Name Change NC-100, the required cover sheet CSM-010, and the Name Change Addendum NC-110. All forms and the Petition must be notarized.br br Step 2 - Make 2 copies of each.br br Step 3 - File the Petition to the County Court Clerk's office in the County where your live (See County List Below). Pay the filing fee and you will be given a case number.br br Step 4 - You will need to file the NC-120, which is the showing cause for name change form which requires the petitioner to make a publication in the newspaper where they are a resident for at least 1 day for 4 consecutive weeks. The type of ad that you will need is referred to as the 'General Circulation', the newspaper will usually have a department sepcifically for handling these.br br Step 5 - Take your NC-130 and go back to the court when there is a time available or told by the court clerk and you will be able to have your name change decree signed by a Judge which is the official document that authorizes your legal name change.