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Vermont Name Change Forms | Petition PC122

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Vermont Name Change Forms | Petition PC122
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Updated August 14, 2023

Vermont name change forms allow residents to legally change their name through their county’s probate court. Those with intentions of changing their name after marriage or reverting to their maiden name after a divorce are not required to complete the Vermont name change forms. For any other reason, a judge will decide whether the name change is appropriate.

Name Change After Marriage

When registering for a marriage license with the local court clerk, input the desired name on the document. After the ceremony, the officiant will complete the license and, once it is returned to the clerk, this becomes a valid marriage certificate.[1] This certificate will serve as proof of a legal name change and can be used to update documentation and identification cards.

Copies of the marriage certificate can be ordered online. To request one, visit the Vermont Department of Health Vital Records Ordering Service. The fee is $12.

Name Change After Divorce

Changing your name after a divorce is simple. Indicate in the marital settlement agreement a desire to revert to a maiden name. Once the divorce decree is signed by a judge, use it to update the name on file with various agencies and institutions.

Copies of divorce records can be ordered online the Department of Health Vital Records Ordering Service link in the previous section, or by contacting the court that issued the decree.

How to Change Your Name (5 steps)

  1. Verify Eligibility
  2. Complete Petition
  3. Gather Documents
  4. File Forms
  5. Attend Hearing

1. Verify Eligibility

Any adult can change their name in Vermont through their county’s probate court.[2] However, once a petition is filed, the court will contact the Department of Public Safety to establish whether or not the petitioner is on the sex offender registry.[3] If their name does appear on the registry, the court will most likely deny the name change petition unless they find reasonable grounds to continue with the case.

2. Complete Petition

Download the Petition of Adult to Change Name and provide your personal information in the appropriate fields. The form must be signed before a notary public or court clerk.

3. Gather Documents

You are required to submit a copy of your birth certificate to the probate court along with your Petition. You must request a certified copy of your birth certificate. This can be accomplished filing a request with the Department of Health’s Vital Records Ordering Service.

4. File Forms

Visit your local probate court and file the Petition and the certified copy of your birth certificate with the court clerk (you may be asked to show a piece of state-issued ID as well). The clerk will ask you to pay the fee, which is $150.[4] Refrain from signing the forms until the clerk directs you to do so.

If you receive any kind of public assistance, your gross income is at or below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines, or the court finds you can’t pay the fee, you can be granted a fee waiver. In order to request a waiver, download the Application to Waive Filing Fees and Service Costs, and review the district court’s instructions. A hearing date and time will be set once you file the Petition.

5. Attend Hearing

Go back to the courthouse at the allotted time on the appointed hearing date. The judge will have read your Petition and, if they believe the name change is appropriate, they will sign a Name Change Decree. This is the official document that you can use to update your name with various state and federal agencies, including a state birth certificate.[5]

Certified copies of the decree can be ordered at the courthouse for $5. Having copies of the decree can be useful, because you can file multiple applications that require one at once.[6]

Driver’s License

Your new name should be registered with the DMV within 30 days of receiving your Name Change Decree. However, before changing your driver’s license, you must update your new name with the Social Security Administration. Submit Form SS-5 to the SSA along with proof of name change, proof of identity, and proof of U.S. citizenship. Once this process is complete, you can visit your local DMV and complete the proper application form for updating your driver’s license.

Download the appropriate form before going to the DMV: Form VL-021 (Regular DL) or Form VL-031 (Commercial DL). The Form VL-18, for an enhanced driver’s license, is not available online. You will also need to submit a copy of your name change document with your application form (i.e., marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court-ordered name change decree). Additional documents, such as a passport, social security card, and proof of residency may be required for EDL applications. The fee for updating your name change on your driver’s license is $32.[7]

Voter Registration

Updating your voter registration with your new name can be accomplished online or by mail. To complete the online registration process, you must have a valid Vermont driver’s license/permit or ID card. Go to the Online Voter Registration System on Vermont’s Secretary of State web portal and follow the prompts to complete the registration process online. To update your name by mail, download and complete the Vermont Voter Registration Form. Once completed, submit the registration form to your local town clerk.

Sources

  1. Vt. Stat. tit. 18, § 105
  2. Vt. Stat. tit. 15, § 811
  3. Vt. Stat. tit. 15, § 817
  4. Vermont Judiciary: Filing Fees
  5. Legal Services Vermont: Name and Gender Marker Changes
  6. Vt. Stat. tit. 15, § 816
  7. Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles: Drivers License, Fees