Publication Requirements for Name Changes
Why Publication Matters
Publishing a legal name change ensures that the process is transparent and allows anyone with a legal interest—such as creditors or family members—to be informed. This step helps prevent fraudulent name changes, such as those intended to evade debts or legal obligations. However, requirements differ across states, with some mandating publication in a newspaper, and others allowing alternative methods.
Overview of Requirements
The following outlines the publication requirements for legal name changes in 24 states, based on the most recent available information. These requirements specify how often a notice must be published, where it must be published, and when the publication must occur in the name change process.
| State | LLC Publication Details |
|---|---|
| Alaska |
Publication Frequency: Once a week for 4 weeks Publication Location: Newspaper of general circulation in the county where the Petition is filed When Publication Takes Place: After filing the Petition and before the hearing |
| California |
Publication Frequency: Once a week for four (4) weeks (at court's discretion) Publication Location: In a newspaper of general circulation in the county where the Petition is filed When Publication Takes Place: After a hearing date has been set, but before the hearing takes place |
| Colorado |
Publication Frequency: A minimum of three (3) times within 21 days from the date listed on the Order for Publication for Change of Name Publication Location: In a newspaper of record When Publication Takes Place: After the hearing date (if a hearing is required) but before the Final Decree is issued |
| Georgia |
Publication Frequency: Once a week for 4 weeksPublication Location: In one of the court-approved legal organ newspspers When Publication Takes Place: Within 7 days after filing the Petition |
| Hawaii |
Publication Frequency: Once (for at least one day) Publication Location: Newspaper of general circulation When Publication Takes Place: After the Notice of Name Change has been sent back once it has been signed by the Lieutenant Governor |
| Idaho |
Publication Frequency: Once a week for four (4) successive weeks Publication Location: In one of the court-approved newspspers When Publication Takes Place: After the Petition is filed and before the hearing |
| Illinois |
Publication Frequency: Once a week for three consecutive weeks Publication Location: Any newspaper published in the county in which you live After you have been given a hearing date, but before the hearing takes place |
| Indiana |
Publication Frequency: Once a week for three weeks Publication Location: Local county newspaper When Publication Takes Place: After the Petition has been filed, and before the hearing takes place |
| Massachusetts |
Publication Frequency: Once (for at least one day) Publication Location: Paper form, via mail When Publication Takes Place: After filing the Petition and before the hearing |
| Michigan |
Publication Frequency: Once, but it must be at least fifteen (15) days before the name change hearing Publication Location: Either a local newspaper, or the local Legal News (at Court's discretion) When Publication Takes Place: After a hearing date has been set, but before the hearing takes place |
| Missouri |
Publication Frequency: Once a week for three consecutive weeks Publication Location: A newspaper of general circulation in the county where you live When Publication Takes Place: After the final Judgment is signed by the Court |
| Montana |
Publication Frequency: Once a week for four (4) consecutive weeks Publication Location: In the newspaper listed in the Order Setting Name Change Hearing When Publication Takes Place: After a hearing date has been set, but before the hearing takes place |
| Nebraska |
Publication Frequency: Once a week for four (4) consecutive weeks Publication Location: In a court-approved newspaper When Publication Takes Place: After a hearing date has been set, but before the hearing takes place |
| Nevada |
Publication Frequency: Once a week for three consecutive weeks Publication Location: In a court-approved newspaper When Publication Takes Place: After filing the Petition and before the hearing |
| North Carolina |
Publication Frequency: Ten (10) consecutive days Publication Location: At the designated place for Notices to be posted at the Court where the Petition will be filed When Publication Takes Place: Before filing the name change Petition with the court |
| North Dakota |
Publication Frequency: Once (for at least one day) Publication Location: In the legal notices section of your county newspaper When Publication Takes Place: Before filing the name change Petition with the court |
| Ohio |
Publication Frequency: Once Publication Location: In a newspaper of general circulation approved by the court When Publication Takes Place: At least thirty (30) days before the hearing date |
| Oklahoma |
Publication Frequency: Once Publication Location: Local newspaper serving the county where the Petition was filed When Publication Takes Place: At least 10 days before the date of the hearing if then newspaper is printed daily. If it is a weekly newspaper, then at least 21 days before the date of the hearing |
| Pennsylvania |
Publication Frequency: Once Publication Location: In two newspapers in the county of your residence (one newspaper must be a newspaper of general circulation and the other must be a legal newspaper) When Publication Takes Place: For at least thirty (30) days before the scheduled hearing date. |
| South Dakota |
Publication Frequency: Once a week for four consecutive weeks Publication Location: In the legal notices section of the newspaper in the county where the Petition was filed When Publication Takes Place: After a hearing date has been set, but before the hearing takes place |
| West Virginia |
Publication Frequency: Once Publication Location: In a newspaper authorized to publish legal notices in your county When Publication Takes Place: At least ten (10) days before the date of the court hearing |
| Wisconsin |
Publication Frequency: Once a week for three consecutive weeks Publication Location: In a newspaper authorized to publish legal notices in your county When Publication Takes Place: After a hearing date has been set, but before the hearing takes place |
| Wyoming |
Publication Frequency: Once a week for four (4) consecutive weeks Publication Location: In a newspaper authorized to publish legal notices in your county When Publication Takes Place: After the Petition has been filed |
Note: 1. In Arizona, the person seeking a name change must provide notice to any person (Interested Party) concerned with or affected by the name change.
Arizona only requires publication if the spouse's whereabouts are unknown. The clerk will provide instructions on how to complete the publication.
2. In Kansas, the person seeking a name change must give notice to any party the court deems appropriate. Notice may be given via mail or publication. If
publication is chosen, it must be in an approved newspaper once a week for three consecutive weeks after the Petition is filed, and before the hearing date.