This section of PALawHelp.org has information and resources about Name Change issues in Pennsylvania.
Click on a resource category listed below to see information related to that category.
Changing Your Name in Pennsylvania
This Classroom provides resources from a variety of sources regarding Changing Your Name in Pennsylvania
Changing Your Name
MidPenn Legal Services provides information and a self-help packet for changing your name in Pennsylvania. The packet of forms is available in PDF format below.
How to Change Your Name
This guide from the Pennsylvania Institutional Law Project is intended to provide information that will allow those wishing to change their names to do so without the need for an attorney. [PDF]
Carbon Self Service Center - Forms
Download forms and information from the Carbon County Court of Common Pleas
Dauphin County Self Help Center
Information on the Dauphin County Pro Se Litigant Self Help Center where forms and instructions are available.
How to File a Petition to Proceed In Forma Pauperis
This video from Laurel Legal Services provides an explanation of what In Forma Pauperis is (a request to file legal papers without having to pay the filing fee because you cannot afford to pay the fees) and line-by-line instructions on completing a petition to request permission to proceed without paying filing fees.
Lancaster County: Judge Henry S. Kenderdine Jr. Self Help Center
The Lancaster County Court Self Help Center opened in July, 2004. The main purpose of the Center is to provide one central location where self-represented litigants can obtain some of the information and forms that they may need to represent themselves in certain types of court actions.
Lehigh County: Name Change - Self Help Center of the Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas
The Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas provides this informational section for reference and research purposes. This section explains the basic forms and steps needed to legally change your name and/or the name(s) of your minor child(ren). A person must petition the court for a name change, and the court can then decide whether or not to grant it.
Lehigh County: Name Change - Self Help Center of the Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas
This informational section is for reference and research purposes. This section explains the basic forms and steps needed to legally change your name and/or the name(s) of your minor child(ren). A person must petition the court for a name change, and the court can then decide whether or not to grant it.
Lycoming County Forms
On this page, you will find various Lycoming County Courts legal forms. These packets can also be found in the law library and are provided one per filing. The law library staff cannot provide legal advice but they can assist in filling out the forms. You can stop in during regular operating hours or make an appointment.
Modifying a Birth Record
Information and forms from the Pennsylvania Department of Health to modify a birth record. These forms cannot be used to modify an individual's birth record due to an adoption. Upon update to the record, an updated birth certificate will be issued, if requested.
Monroe County - Forms
Forms available for use in the Monroe County Court of Common Pleas.
Montgomery County: Forms
Forms provided by the Montgomery County Court of County Pleas.
Northumberland County Court Forms
Court forms published on Northumberland County website.
Philadelphia County: Affidavit of Service
Form from the Family Division of the Court of Common Please of Philadelphia that may be used in family law proceedings taking place in Philadelphia courts.
Philadelphia County: Petition to Proceed In Forma Pauperis (IFP)
Form with instructions from the Family Division of the Court of Common Please of Philadelphia that may be used in custody proceedings taking place in Philadelphia courts.
Trans Youth Handbook
This Handbook was created to help you learn about your legal rights in different areas of your life. The information in this Handbook should not be considered legal advice. This Handbook provides legal information but does not attempt to apply that information to any specific situation. This guide was up-to-date as of its release in June 2020. However, because laws affecting trans people are constantly changing, the information contained in this Handbook may not reflect the current legal situation where you live. You can click on the links below to access the different sections online. You can also access the entire handbook by clicking here You can also review Resources and Definitions, which lists additional helpful resources and definitions for the terms used in this Handbook. If you have a question about your specific legal situation, you should contact NCLR’s legal helpline by phone at (415) 392-6257 or (800) 528-6257. You can also contact the helpline by e-mail at info@nclrights.org.
York County: Court Forms
The Court Forms section of the York County Court of Common Pleas offers popular forms provided by various Court and Court-related departments.
How do I change or correct my name on my Social Security Card?
If you legally change your name because of marriage, divorce, court order or need to correct your name for other reasons, you must tell Social Security so you can get a replacement SSN card with your correct legal name. Click on the link below for information and how to complete your application at the Social Security Administration website
How to File a Petition to Proceed In Forma Pauperis
This video from Laurel Legal Services provides an explanation of what In Forma Pauperis is (a request to file legal papers without having to pay the filing fee because you cannot afford to pay the fees) and line-by-line instructions on completing a petition to request permission to proceed without paying filing fees.
Local Forms and Self-Help Information
For local forms and information for your county, click the title to see the SELF-HELP FORMS AND INFORMATION sub-topic. Counties are listed alphabetically after some generally applicable forms or you can set your location on the page to see only forms applicable for that location.
Modifying a Birth Record
Information and forms from the Pennsylvania Department of Health to modify a birth record. These forms cannot be used to modify an individual's birth record due to an adoption. Upon update to the record, an updated birth certificate will be issued, if requested.
Changing Your Name
MidPenn Legal Services provides information and a self-help packet for changing your name in Pennsylvania. The packet of forms is available in PDF format below.
How to Change Your Name
This guide from the Pennsylvania Institutional Law Project is intended to provide information that will allow those wishing to change their names to do so without the need for an attorney. [PDF]
Name Change in PA for Adults
Information from Northwestern Legal Services providing an overview of the procedure in changing an adult's name in Pennsylvania.
Name Change in PA for Minor Children
Information from Northwestern Legal Services providing an overview of the procedure in changing a minor child's name in Pennsylvania. (2018)
How to File a Petition to Proceed In Forma Pauperis
This video from Laurel Legal Services provides an explanation of what In Forma Pauperis is (a request to file legal papers without having to pay the filing fee because you cannot afford to pay the fees) and line-by-line instructions on completing a petition to request permission to proceed without paying filing fees.
Change of Name
Information from the Erie County Bar Association on the legal issues related to changing your name.
How do I change or correct my name on my Social Security Card?
If you legally change your name because of marriage, divorce, court order or need to correct your name for other reasons, you must tell Social Security so you can get a replacement SSN card with your correct legal name. Click on the link below for information and how to complete your application at the Social Security Administration website
Modifying a Birth Record
Information and forms from the Pennsylvania Department of Health to modify a birth record. These forms cannot be used to modify an individual's birth record due to an adoption. Upon update to the record, an updated birth certificate will be issued, if requested.
PA Courts Public Access Policy - Filing Requirements in the Courts (Video)
Effective on January 6, 2018, a new Public Access Policy is in effect in Pennsylvania Courts. This policy imposes requirements on anyone filing court documents in the trial and appellate courts to safeguard information in the documents they file. The Pennsylvania Courts have released this series of videos that explain the judiciary’s new policy for protecting confidential information and the required steps you must take to protect that information when filing documents in the courts.
Petition to Proceed In Forma Pauperis
Costs to record, or “file” documents such as the complaint, vary from the type of document, or pleading, to the county in which you begin your case. Some court filing costs may be in the hundreds of dollars. If you cannot afford to pay these fees to the court, you will need to complete this form, In Forma Pauperis, a Latin term, referring to someone who cannot pay.
Trans Youth Handbook
This Handbook was created to help you learn about your legal rights in different areas of your life. The information in this Handbook should not be considered legal advice. This Handbook provides legal information but does not attempt to apply that information to any specific situation. This guide was up-to-date as of its release in June 2020. However, because laws affecting trans people are constantly changing, the information contained in this Handbook may not reflect the current legal situation where you live. You can click on the links below to access the different sections online. You can also access the entire handbook by clicking here You can also review Resources and Definitions, which lists additional helpful resources and definitions for the terms used in this Handbook. If you have a question about your specific legal situation, you should contact NCLR’s legal helpline by phone at (415) 392-6257 or (800) 528-6257. You can also contact the helpline by e-mail at info@nclrights.org.
Local Forms and Self-Help Information
For local forms and information for your county, click the title to see the SELF-HELP FORMS AND INFORMATION sub-topic. Counties are listed alphabetically after some generally applicable forms or you can set your location on the page to see only forms applicable for that location.
Carbon Self Service Center - Forms
Download forms and information from the Carbon County Court of Common Pleas
Dauphin County Self Help Center
Information on the Dauphin County Pro Se Litigant Self Help Center where forms and instructions are available.
Lancaster County: Judge Henry S. Kenderdine Jr. Self Help Center
The Lancaster County Court Self Help Center opened in July, 2004. The main purpose of the Center is to provide one central location where self-represented litigants can obtain some of the information and forms that they may need to represent themselves in certain types of court actions.
Lehigh County: Name Change - Self Help Center of the Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas
The Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas provides this informational section for reference and research purposes. This section explains the basic forms and steps needed to legally change your name and/or the name(s) of your minor child(ren). A person must petition the court for a name change, and the court can then decide whether or not to grant it.
Lehigh County: Name Change - Self Help Center of the Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas
This informational section is for reference and research purposes. This section explains the basic forms and steps needed to legally change your name and/or the name(s) of your minor child(ren). A person must petition the court for a name change, and the court can then decide whether or not to grant it.
Lycoming County Forms
On this page, you will find various Lycoming County Courts legal forms. These packets can also be found in the law library and are provided one per filing. The law library staff cannot provide legal advice but they can assist in filling out the forms. You can stop in during regular operating hours or make an appointment.
Monroe County - Forms
Forms available for use in the Monroe County Court of Common Pleas.
Montgomery County: Forms
Forms provided by the Montgomery County Court of County Pleas.
Northumberland County Court Forms
Court forms published on Northumberland County website.
Philadelphia County: Affidavit of Service
Form from the Family Division of the Court of Common Please of Philadelphia that may be used in family law proceedings taking place in Philadelphia courts.
Philadelphia County: Petition to Proceed In Forma Pauperis (IFP)
Form with instructions from the Family Division of the Court of Common Please of Philadelphia that may be used in custody proceedings taking place in Philadelphia courts.
York County: Court Forms
The Court Forms section of the York County Court of Common Pleas offers popular forms provided by various Court and Court-related departments.