Name Change

[nythng4mygrl]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? LOUISIANA

Looking for guidance on how to change first name of a 13 year old boy. If his legal first name is "Chadwick", and he is called "Chad", can I change his birth certificate and social security card to reflect "Chad"? I am unable to access any forms and I have been told by other people that it would cost almost $750 to involve an attorney. Can't I just go to Clerk of Court and file in person? Thanks!

 

[justalayman]

who are you to the child? Unless you are the parent or court appointed guardian, you can't do anything about this.

 

[nythng4mygrl]

I am the mother of the child and have sole custody. His father is incarcerated for non-support and has a year sentence to serve.

 

[ecmst12]

Child would have an easier time waiting until he is 18 to change his own name. I don't see any reason you need to change his birth certificate just because he has a nickname. You would need to serve dad and he would have to consent or you would have to convince a judge to order it over his objections. Complicated. Once he's an adult, he can change his own name, if he wishes, without permission of anyone but the court.

 

[nythng4mygrl]

He just entered high school and when he has sports events, or anything school related they call him by his first legal name. He asked me to change it now, so I am trying to research it. His dad doesn't have a problem with it. I will go see Clerk of Court in the morning. I am looking for a form to fill out before I go file. Thank you for your response.

 

[ecmst12]

Or, he could just ask them to please call him by his preferred name. He doesn't need a legal name change for that.

 

[TheGeekess]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? LOUISIANA

Looking for guidance on how to change first name of a 13 year old boy. If his legal first name is "Chadwick", and he is called "Chad", can I change his birth certificate and social security card to reflect "Chad"? I am unable to access any forms and I have been told by other people that it would cost almost $750 to involve an attorney. Can't I just go to Clerk of Court and file in person? Thanks!

Why? Everybody in my family goes by shortened versions of our names. There's Chuck (aka Charles), Bob (aka Robert) and Randy (aka Randall).

When folks call the house and ask for Charles or Robert, we've got a pretty good idea that those calling don't personally know Chuck or Bob.

 

[TheGeekess]

He just entered high school and when he has sports events, or anything school related they call him by his first legal name. He asked me to change it now, so I am trying to research it. His dad doesn't have a problem with it. I will go see Clerk of Court in the morning. I am looking for a form to fill out before I go file. Thank you for your response.

OMG. I hated my first name in HS. So, when the teachers would use my given name, I'd correct them to my nickname. And it didn't matter what they called me during band concerts, theatre productions or any other recognitions program. Most of those folks didn't know me and those who did knew what name I went by.

 

[justalayman]

Louisiana Revised Statutes, Sec. §4751. Petition for name change; adults; minors
A. The name of a person may be changed as provided in this Section.

B. Whenever any person who has attained the age of majority desires to change his name, he shall present a petition to the district court of the parish of his residence, the parish of his birth, or the parish of venue for the Vital Records Registry, or, in the case of a person incarcerated in a penal institution, to the district court of the parish in which he was sentenced, setting forth the reasons for the desired change.

C. If the person desiring such change is a minor or if the parents or parent or the tutor of the minor desire to change the name of the minor:

(1) The petition shall be signed by the father and mother of the minor or by the survivor in case one of them be dead.

(2) If one parent has been granted custody of the minor by a court of competent jurisdiction, the consent of the other parent is not necessary if the other parent has been served with a copy of the petition and any of the following exists:

(a) The other parent has refused or failed to comply with a court order of support for a period of one year.

(b) The other parent has failed to support the child for a period of three years after judgment awarding custody to the parent signing the petition.

(c) The other parent is not paying support and has refused or failed to visit, communicate, or attempt to communicate with the child without just cause for a period of two years.

(d) Repealed by Acts 2001, No. 555, §1.
(3) In case the minor has no father or mother living, the petition shall be signed by the tutor or tutrix of the minor and in default of any tutor or tutrix, shall be signed by a special tutor appointed by the judge for that purpose.

(4) The petition may be signed by either the mother or the father acting alone if a child has been given a surname which is different from that authorized in R.S. 40:34(B)(1)(a).
D.
(1) A person who has been convicted of a felony shall not be entitled to petition for a change of name under the provisions of this Section until his sentence has been satisfied. This Subsection shall apply whether the offender is actually imprisoned or on probation or parole.

(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of Paragraph (1) of this Subsection or any other provision of law to the contrary, a person convicted of any felony enumerated in R.S. 14:2(B) shall not be entitled to petition for a change of name.

contact your local parish office to find out how your parish handles this.

 

[cbg]

For complicated family politics reasons, my husband goes by a shortened version of his middle name. We've never needed to get any government issued documents changed in order for that to happen. All the kid has to do is say, "I go by Chad". And if they put Chadwick in the program, what the heck difference does that make? Probably half the kids listed there are listed by names they don't use.

 

[ecmst12]

He's 13...I'm guessing some of the kids were making fun of him for having a dorky name and he wanted to crawl into a hole and hide. Totally normal for that age, both the teasing and the embarassment. But going to court and changing the name is not the solution, that's like using a flamethrower to take out a mosquito. Kids are always going to find something to tease each other about, and really, if it's that important to him, he can go to his coach/teacher/whatever and ask them to put the nickname down as his "official" name. Again, no court order needed for that.