Updated February 26, 2024
Arkansas name change forms request a legal name change for an adult by submitting a written petition to the local Circuit County Clerk. Name changes after marriage or divorce are less complicated because petitioners can change their names when signing marriage licensing documents or during divorce proceedings. After a person has officially changed their name, they should update the information currently on record with the Social Security Office and other government agencies to reflect the alteration to their name.
Name Change After Marriage
A name change is available when completing the standard Arkansas marriage licensing documents. After receiving an official marriage record, update government agencies such as the Social Security Office and the DMV with the alteration.
A spouse can order marriage records in one of the following ways:
- Mail a completed Marriage Coupon Application with a copy of an acceptable photo ID[1] and a check or money order made out to the Arkansas Department of Health for the appropriate amount. One copy of a marriage record costs $10.[2]
- Order online through the Vital Records Online Service. This service incurs an additional $5.00 processing fee and a $1.85 non-refundable identity verification fee.
- Visit the Arkansas Department of Health’s vital records office at 4815 West Markham St., Little Rock, AR 72205.
- Call (866) 209-9482 toll-free. The phone service offers multiple shipping options and debit or credit card payments.
Name Change After Divorce
The opportunity to change one’s name during a divorce is available during the divorce process, specifically by entering the intention in the Marital Settlement Agreement.
If the judge allows the name change, it will be incorporated into the divorce decree when it is final. This document will indicate the name change when updating identification documents such as driver’s licenses, passports, and social security cards.
To order divorce records:
- Mail a completed Divorce Coupon Application with a copy of an acceptable photo ID and a check or money order made out to the Arkansas Department of Health for the appropriate amount. One copy of a divorce record costs $10.
- Order online through the Vital Records Online Service. This service incurs an additional $5.00 processing fee and a $1.85 non-refundable identity verification fee.
- Visit the Arkansas Department of Health’s vital records office at 4815 West Markham St., Little Rock, AR 72205.
- Call (866) 209-9482 toll-free. The phone service offers multiple shipping options and debit or credit card payments.
Adult Name Change Outside of Marriage or Divorce (5 Steps)
Arkansas law states the circuit court has the “power…to alter or change” a person’s name upon request.[3] A person can change their name for any reason that is not fraudulent. This person, known as the petitioner, must submit a written petition to their local Circuit County Clerk by following these six steps.
- Cover Sheet
- Petition for Change of Name
- Order for Name Change
- File with the Circuit Court Clerk
- Attend Hearing (if necessary)
2. Petition for Change of Name
The Secretary of State does not provide an official petition for name changes, so the petitioner must write their own request to include the following details:
- Current and other prior names
- Birth date
- Identifying information (ex/Social Security Number or Driver’s License Number)
- New name
Use this Petition for Name Change to get started. When finished, find a Notary Public in Arkansas to notarize the petition. Notaries are also located at banks and shipping companies like UPS[4] and FedEx.[5]
3. Order for Name Change
4. File with the Circuit Court Clerk
5. Attend Hearing (if necessary)
The judge may schedule a hearing if they require more information from the petitioner. If they permit the name change, the judge will finalize the Order for Name Change. The clerk will automatically notify the Arkansas Crime Information Center and Arkansas Driver Control of the name change. The petitioner can request the court to inform the Division of Vital Records.
Driver’s License
To change the name on your Arkansas driver’s license or ID card, you will need to appear in person at a local DFA Office and present the following documents:
- Proof of name change (e.g., marriage license, divorce decree, court order)
- Identification – One (1) ID from the primary list or two (2) IDs from the secondary list
- Review the List of Accepted Documents
- Payment – $40 for a driver’s license[7]
Voter Registration
Change the name on a voter registration card by completing a new Arkansas Voter Registration Application (Solicitud de Inscripción como Votante en Arkansas) and submitting it to a County Clerk. The application is also available at the DMV, public libraries, disability agencies, and military recruitment offices.[8] To request an application in the mail, fill out this online form.
On the Voter Registration Application, select the small box labeled “This is a name change” found in the upper-left portion of the form.
To register to vote in Arkansas, the voter must meet the following requirements.
- 18 years old by the next election day
- Legally mentally competent
- No felony conviction
- Permanent Arkansas resident
- U.S. citizen
Sources
- Government Issued Identification Documents
- Arkansas Department of Health: Order Marriage Records
- § 9-2-101
- UPS Notary Services
- FedEx Office Online Notary
- Center for Arkansas Legal Services: Name and Gender Change
- Arkansas DFA: License, ID and Permits
- Arkansas Secretary of State: Voter Registration Information