The Illinois Order Granting Name Change is the signed court order a circuit judge enters under 735 ILCS 5/21-101 that legally changes an adult’s or a minor’s name in Illinois. You prepare it as a proposed order, hand it (or e-file it) to the judge at your hearing, and the judge signs it to make the new name official.
Illinois courts process more than 8,000 name change petitions each year, and the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts reports that roughly 1 in 6 proposed orders gets bounced for a wrong caption, a missing prior-name line, or an unsigned judge block. A clean order saves weeks of waiting for the certified copy you need at the Social Security Administration, the Secretary of State, and your bank.
Here is what you will learn in this guide:
- 📝 Exactly what to type in every box of the standardized Illinois Supreme Court approved Order: Change of Name (adult and minor versions).
- ⚖️ How statutes like 735 ILCS 5/21-101 and Illinois Supreme Court Rule 138 shape the order’s content.
- 🖥️ How to submit the proposed order through Odyssey eFileIL and how it works in counties that still take paper.
- 👨👩👧 Three full walkthroughs covering an adult divorce restoration, a gender-affirming change, and a parent filing for a minor.
- 🚫 The 10 most common mistakes that get an order rejected and how to avoid each one.
The current standardized order carries a revision date of Rev. 03/2024 on its lower-left footer. Confirm your blank form matches that revision before you type anything.
What the Order Granting Name Change Is and Who Files It
The Order Granting Name Change is the final judgment in an Illinois civil name change case. It is not the petition. The petition (called the Request for Name Change (Adult) or Request for Name Change (Minor or Adult with Disability)) starts the case. The order ends it. The judge signs the order at the hearing, and the clerk of the circuit court enters it into the case record.
Three groups file this order. The first is adults age 18 or older who have lived in Illinois for at least 6 months and want to legally change their own name. The second is parents or legal guardians filing on behalf of a minor under 18. The third is adults with disabilities whose guardians petition under the same statute. Each group uses the same statewide form, but the adult version and the minor version have different captions and findings paragraphs.
The order matters because it is the only document the Social Security Administration, the Illinois Secretary of State, the U.S. Department of State, banks, schools, and employers will accept as proof of a legal name change. Without a certified copy, your old name follows you on every government record.
The statute behind the order is 735 ILCS 5/21-101. The court rule that governs how you handle Social Security numbers and dates of birth in the order is Illinois Supreme Court Rule 138. The publication rule lives in the same statute and requires once-a-week publication for 3 consecutive weeks in a county newspaper, unless the judge waives it for safety, gender identity, or sealed-record reasons.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
You cannot draft a clean order from memory. Gather these items first so every field matches the petition word-for-word.
- Your filed Request for Name Change. Pull it from your Odyssey eFileIL envelope or the clerk’s stamped copy. The order’s caption must match the petition exactly, including punctuation. A mismatch causes the clerk to kick the order back.
- Your case number. It looks like 2026 MR 000123 in most counties or 2026 NC 000123 in counties that use a name-change code. Without it, the clerk has no file to drop the order into.
- Your current legal name. Use the spelling on your birth certificate or last court order, not the spelling on your driver’s license if it differs. Spelling drift is the single most common reason a downstream agency rejects the certified order.
- Your proposed new name. Decide on capitalization, hyphens, apostrophes, and middle name now. Mary-Jane O’Connor-Reyes is different from Mary Jane Oconnor Reyes in every database that matters.
- Proof of 6-month Illinois residency. A lease, utility bill, or state ID. The order recites that the court “found” residency, so you must have proven it at the hearing.
- Proof of publication or a waiver order. If you published, bring the Certificate of Publication from the newspaper. If the judge waived publication under 735 ILCS 5/21-103, bring the signed waiver.
- Background-check results, if applicable. Illinois requires fingerprint-based background checks for petitioners with certain felony convictions. The order references the finding that the conviction does not bar the change.
- The minor’s birth certificate, for minor cases. The order must list the minor’s full birth name exactly as it appears there.
- A photo ID for the hearing. The judge will not sign an order for someone whose identity is unverified.
- Payment for certified copies. Plan for $9 to $25 per certified copy depending on county; Cook County charges $9, DuPage charges $6 plus $1 per page, and Sangamon charges around $10.
Each missing item adds a continuance to your case. A continuance pushes your name change out by 30 to 60 days in busy counties.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
The statewide standardized order is free. Download the fillable PDF from the Illinois Courts approved forms page. The page lists separate links for Order: Change of Name (Adult) and Order: Change of Name (Minor or Adult with Disability). Both are accepted in every Illinois circuit.
Illinois Legal Aid Online hosts a guided interview that fills the order for you using your answers. The interview output is identical to the standardized PDF and is accepted statewide. It is the safest route for pro se filers because it blocks you from skipping a required field.
Some counties post a local version with the county seal. Cook County’s Circuit Court of Cook County forms library hosts a Cook-branded order, and DuPage, Lake, Will, and Sangamon do the same. The local form is optional, not required. Judges in those counties accept the statewide order without complaint, so default to the statewide version unless your judge’s standing order says otherwise.
If you cannot print, go to any circuit clerk’s self-help center and ask for a paper packet. Clerks cannot give legal advice, but they will hand you the order, the request, and the notice of publication forms together.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out the Illinois Order Granting Name Change Line by Line
Work top to bottom. Do not skip a field even if it looks obvious.
Caption: Court, County, and Judicial Circuit
The caption sits at the top of page 1. It names the court that will sign the order.
What the field asks in plain English. It asks which Illinois circuit court has your case.
How to answer it. Type the Judicial Circuit number, the county name in all caps, and the words IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE [number] JUDICIAL CIRCUIT. For Cook County, the caption reads IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS, COUNTY DEPARTMENT, COUNTY DIVISION because Cook is its own circuit.
A specific example answer. Maria Lopez files in Will County and types IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE TWELFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, WILL COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
A nuance or edge case. If you live in one county but filed in another by mistake, the caption must still match the filing county, not your home county. Venue follows where the case is open.
A common mistake on this field and its direct consequence. Filers often write Will County, 12th Circuit instead of spelling out TWELFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT. The clerk’s intake software flags non-matching captions and rejects the e-filed order.
A misconception people hold about this field. Many filers think Cook County is part of a numbered circuit. It is not. Cook is its own circuit and uses COUNTY DEPARTMENT, COUNTY DIVISION in the caption.
Case Caption: In re the Petition of [Current Name]
This block names the petitioner and, in minor cases, the minor.
What the field asks in plain English. It asks who is asking the court for the name change.
How to answer it. For an adult, type In re the Petition of [Full Current Legal Name] for Change of Name. For a minor, type In re the Petition of [Parent’s Full Name] on behalf of [Minor’s Full Name], a minor, for Change of Name.
A specific example answer. In re the Petition of Carlos Antonio Reyes for Change of Name to Carlos Antonio Vega.
A nuance or edge case. If you go by initials, write the full name spelled out anyway. Initials in the caption do not legally identify you.
A common mistake on this field and its direct consequence. Filers leave off for Change of Name. The clerk treats the order as if it belongs in a different case type, and it ends up in the wrong queue.
A misconception people hold about this field. Filers think the caption can show the new name. It cannot. The caption shows the current legal name on the day the case was filed. The new name appears later in the findings.
Case Number
The case number ties the order to the petition.
What the field asks in plain English. It asks for the docket number assigned when you filed.
How to answer it. Type the case number exactly as it appears on the file-stamped petition. The format is usually 2026 MR 000123, but a few counties use NC or MC codes. Do not invent a number.
A specific example answer. Aisha Brown’s stamped petition shows 2026 MR 001847, so she types 2026 MR 001847 in the box.
A nuance or edge case. If your case was reassigned or consolidated, use the lead case number, not the secondary one.
A common mistake on this field and its direct consequence. Filers swap the year and the sequence number, typing 001847 MR 2026. The e-file system cannot route the order to a non-existent case and rejects it.
A misconception people hold about this field. Some filers believe the judge writes in the case number. The judge does not. You must pre-fill it before submitting the proposed order.
Title of the Order
What the field asks in plain English. It asks you to label the document.
How to answer it. Type ORDER GRANTING CHANGE OF NAME in bold, all caps, centered. The standardized form pre-prints this header, so you usually do not need to type it. If you are using a Word version, mirror the formatting exactly.
A specific example answer. ORDER GRANTING CHANGE OF NAME (ADULT) on the adult form.
A nuance or edge case. If the order is partial (for example, granting an adult change but reserving the minor’s change), title it ORDER GRANTING IN PART and explain the reservation in the findings.
A common mistake on this field and its direct consequence. Filers retitle the order Judgment of Name Change, which is not the statutory phrase. Downstream agencies sometimes reject orders that do not say Order Granting Change of Name.
A misconception people hold about this field. Filers think the title is decorative. It is not. The Social Security Administration scans for the exact phrase before processing the change.
Findings Paragraph: Notice and Publication
What the field asks in plain English. It asks the judge to confirm that you gave proper public notice.
How to answer it. Check the box that matches your case: Notice by publication was given for 3 consecutive weeks in [Newspaper Name] or Publication is waived under 735 ILCS 5/21-103 for [reason]. Type the newspaper name and the first publication date if you published.
A specific example answer. Notice by publication was given for 3 consecutive weeks in the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin beginning 02/05/2026.
A nuance or edge case. If publication is waived because the petitioner is transgender, a victim of domestic violence, or has a sealed criminal record, cite the specific statutory ground. The waiver order should already be in the file; the order references it.
A common mistake on this field and its direct consequence. Filers list the last publication date instead of the first. The court of record uses the first date to confirm the 3-week run, and a wrong date can void the publication.
A misconception people hold about this field. Many filers believe online posting counts as publication. It does not. Illinois requires print publication in a secular newspaper of general circulation in the county where the case is filed.
Findings Paragraph: Residency
What the field asks in plain English. It asks the judge to confirm you lived in Illinois long enough to use its courts.
How to answer it. Leave the pre-printed sentence: The Petitioner has resided in Illinois for at least 6 months immediately preceding the filing of the Petition. Do not edit it. The judge will sign over this finding.
A specific example answer. Janet, who moved from Indiana on 06/01/2025 and filed on 02/15/2026, leaves the residency clause as printed because she crossed the 6-month line on 12/01/2025.
A nuance or edge case. Active-duty military stationed in Illinois meet the residency rule even if their home of record is another state.
A common mistake on this field and its direct consequence. Filers strike through the residency clause, thinking it does not apply. Striking it kills the legal basis for the order, and the judge will not sign.
A misconception people hold about this field. Filers think a temporary address (a hotel, a friend’s couch) counts. The court looks for an address with a lease or utility bill in your name.
Findings Paragraph: Background Check and Convictions
What the field asks in plain English. It asks the judge to confirm that no felony bar exists.
How to answer it. Check the box that fits: Petitioner has no felony convictions that bar a name change, or Petitioner has the following convictions, and the court finds the change is consistent with public interest under 735 ILCS 5/21-101. List the conviction, the date, and the disposition.
A specific example answer. Petitioner has no felony convictions that bar a name change under 735 ILCS 5/21-101.
A nuance or edge case. Convictions for identity theft, felony forgery, or sex offenses trigger an absolute bar in some scenarios. The judge cannot sign over an absolute bar even if you ask.
A common mistake on this field and its direct consequence. Filers leave both boxes unchecked. An unchecked box reads as no judicial finding, and the order is voidable on appeal.
A misconception people hold about this field. Filers think sealed or expunged records do not need to be listed. They do, when the conviction is one of the statutory bars; the seal does not erase the bar.
Order Paragraph: The Name Change Itself
This is the operative line. It is the sentence that legally changes the name.
What the field asks in plain English. It asks the judge to declare your new legal name.
How to answer it. Type the prior name and the new name on the labeled lines exactly as you want them in every database for the rest of your life. Use the format FROM: [Prior Full Legal Name] TO: [New Full Legal Name]. Spell, capitalize, and punctuate carefully.
A specific example answer. FROM: Carlos Antonio Reyes TO: Carlos Antonio Vega.
A nuance or edge case. If you are dropping a middle name, list the old full name with the middle and the new full name without it, so the change is unambiguous.
A common mistake on this field and its direct consequence. Filers type the new name in the old line. The order then legally renames you to your existing name and back, which is a nullity. You will refile from scratch.
A misconception people hold about this field. Filers think the judge will fix typos. The judge will not. The order signs as drafted.
Order Paragraph: Effective Date
What the field asks in plain English. It asks when the change takes effect.
How to answer it. Most orders are effective immediately upon entry. The pre-printed line reads This Order is effective on the date entered below. Leave it alone unless your case has a special posting condition.
A specific example answer. This Order is effective on the date entered below.
A nuance or edge case. If the order is for a minor and the other parent has objected on appeal, the judge may delay effectiveness until the appeal period closes (30 days under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 303).
A common mistake on this field and its direct consequence. Filers backdate the effective date to match the petition date. The order then conflicts with the entry date and the SSA refuses to process it.
A misconception people hold about this field. Filers believe the change is retroactive to birth. It is not. The change is prospective only.
Order Paragraph: Distribution and Certified Copies
What the field asks in plain English. It asks the clerk to issue certified copies.
How to answer it. Check the box The Clerk is directed to issue certified copies of this Order to the Petitioner upon payment of the statutory fee. If a fee waiver was granted under the Application for Waiver of Court Fees, check the waiver box.
A specific example answer. Aisha checks the directive box and notes that her Application for Waiver of Court Fees was granted on 02/01/2026, so the clerk issues 3 certified copies free.
A nuance or edge case. If you need more than the typical 3 copies (for example, to update SSA, Secretary of State, passport, school, employer, and 4 banks), say so on the record so the order reflects the right count.
A common mistake on this field and its direct consequence. Filers leave the directive box unchecked and then cannot get a certified copy without going back to court.
A misconception people hold about this field. Filers think a plain photocopy of the signed order will work at the SSA. It will not. The SSA wants a certified copy with the clerk’s raised seal or color stamp.
Personal Identifier Redaction Block
What the field asks in plain English. It asks you to keep your SSN and full date of birth out of the public record.
How to answer it. Under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 138, do not type a full SSN or birthdate into the order. If the judge needs that data, attach a separate Notice of Confidential Information Within Court Filing.
A specific example answer. Maria types XXX-XX-1234 and XX/XX/1985 in the order body and files the unredacted detail on the Notice of Confidential Information form.
A nuance or edge case. Minor cases require even tighter redaction. Use only the minor’s initials in any accompanying notice or motion.
A common mistake on this field and its direct consequence. Filers paste a full SSN into the order. The clerk strikes the order and may report the filer to the court for a Rule 138 violation.
A misconception people hold about this field. Filers think the redaction rule is optional. It is mandatory, and it applies whether you e-file or hand-file.
Judge’s Signature Block
What the field asks in plain English. It asks the judge to sign and date.
How to answer it. Leave the signature line blank. Type ENTERED: and the printed line Judge / Date under the signature line. The judge writes the date by hand or the e-signature stamp posts it.
A specific example answer. Carlos prints ENTERED: and _____ Judge under it, leaving everything else for the bench.
A nuance or edge case. Some counties use an electronic signature stamp. The clerk’s docket entry serves as proof in those courts.
A common mistake on this field and its direct consequence. Filers pre-type a judge’s name into the signature line. The clerk treats that as forgery and rejects the e-filing.
A misconception people hold about this field. Filers think any judge in the courthouse can sign the order. Only the assigned judge in the case may sign, unless a presiding judge formally reassigns.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
Scenario 1 — Janet, age 47, restoring her maiden name after a 22-year marriage in DuPage County
| Form Section | What Janet Enters |
|---|---|
| Caption | IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE EIGHTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, DUPAGE COUNTY, ILLINOIS |
| Case Caption | In re the Petition of Janet Marie Whitfield for Change of Name |
| Case Number | 2026 MR 000942 |
| Title | ORDER GRANTING CHANGE OF NAME (ADULT) |
| Publication Finding | Notice by publication given for 3 consecutive weeks in the Daily Herald beginning 01/22/2026 |
| Residency Finding | Petitioner has resided in Illinois for at least 6 months immediately preceding filing |
| Operative Order | FROM: Janet Marie Whitfield TO: Janet Marie Callahan |
| Effective Date | Effective on the date entered below |
| Certified Copies | Clerk directed to issue 4 certified copies upon payment of the $6 statutory fee |
| Signature Block | ENTERED: ______ Judge / Date |
Scenario 2 — Marcus, age 29, gender-affirming change with publication waived in Cook County
| Form Section | What Marcus Enters |
|---|---|
| Caption | IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS, COUNTY DEPARTMENT, COUNTY DIVISION |
| Case Caption | In re the Petition of Margaret Anne Henderson for Change of Name |
| Case Number | 2026 MR 003318 |
| Title | ORDER GRANTING CHANGE OF NAME (ADULT) |
| Publication Finding | Publication waived under 735 ILCS 5/21-103 based on petitioner’s gender identity and safety concerns |
| Residency Finding | Petitioner has resided in Illinois for at least 6 months immediately preceding filing |
| Background Finding | No felony convictions that bar a name change |
| Operative Order | FROM: Margaret Anne Henderson TO: Marcus Andrew Henderson |
| Sealing Order | Court file sealed under 735 ILCS 5/21-101(e) |
| Signature Block | ENTERED: ______ Judge / Date |
Scenario 3 — Aisha, age 34, parent petitioning to change a minor’s surname in Sangamon County
| Form Section | What Aisha Enters |
|---|---|
| Caption | IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, SANGAMON COUNTY, ILLINOIS |
| Case Caption | In re the Petition of Aisha Renee Brown on behalf of E.J.B., a minor, for Change of Name |
| Case Number | 2026 MR 000517 |
| Title | ORDER GRANTING CHANGE OF NAME (MINOR) |
| Other-Parent Notice | Notice served on biological father by certified mail on 12/14/2025 |
| Best-Interest Finding | The court finds the change is in the best interest of the minor |
| Publication Finding | Notice by publication given for 3 consecutive weeks in the State Journal-Register beginning 01/08/2026 |
| Operative Order | FROM: Elijah James Brooks TO: Elijah James Brown |
| Effective Date | Effective on the date entered below |
| Certified Copies | Clerk directed to issue 3 certified copies upon payment of the $10 statutory fee |
How to File the Completed Order
You almost never “file” the order alone. You submit a proposed order that the judge signs at the hearing.
E-filing through Odyssey eFileIL. Illinois requires e-filing for most civil cases under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 9. Log in at Odyssey eFileIL, open the existing case, choose the Proposed Order filing code, attach the PDF, and click submit. There is no filing fee for a proposed order. Processing time is 1 to 3 business days for the judge to sign in chambers, or same-day if entered in court. Save the acceptance email and the file-stamped PDF as proof of filing.
In person at the hearing. Many judges still take a paper proposed order at the bench. Print 3 copies. Hand the judge the original. The judge signs, the clerk file-stamps, and you keep a stamped copy. Cost is the certified-copy fee only.
By mail (rural counties). A handful of counties accept mailed proposed orders for uncontested cases. Send to the clerk at the courthouse address listed on the circuit court directory. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope, a check or money order for certified copies, and a cover letter referencing the case number. Processing time is 2 to 4 weeks. Keep the certified mail green card as proof of filing.
By fax. Almost no Illinois circuit accepts faxed orders. Do not rely on this channel.
After the judge signs, request your certified copies at the clerk’s window or via the clerk’s online portal. Cook County charges $9 per certified copy, DuPage charges $6 plus $1 per page, and Sangamon charges around $10. Pay by cash, check, money order, or, in most counties, credit card.
What Happens After You File
Once the judge signs, the clerk enters the order in the case docket the same day or the next business day. You receive an electronic file-stamped copy through your Odyssey account or by email if you used a guided interview platform. The case status changes to Disposed — Granted.
Your name is legally changed at the moment of entry, but no agency knows yet. You must walk the certified copy to each one. Start with the Social Security Administration because every other agency wants to see your updated SSA record before they accept the change. Bring the certified order, an unexpired ID, and a completed Form SS-5. The SSA issues a new card within 10 to 14 days at no charge.
Next, visit the Illinois Secretary of State to update your driver’s license or state ID. Bring the certified order plus your current license. The fee is $5 for a corrected license. After SSA and Secretary of State, update your passport, banks, employer, school, voter registration, lease, utilities, professional licenses, and insurance. Most agencies accept a scanned PDF of the certified order, but the SSA and the U.S. Department of State require an original certified copy.
If your case was sealed under 735 ILCS 5/21-101(e), the public docket will show only initials, and the underlying record is removed from public search.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
- Mismatched caption. Typing County of Cook instead of Cook County will cause the clerk to bounce the order from the e-file queue.
- Wrong case number format. Putting the year after the sequence number (such as 001847 MR 2026) routes the order to a non-existent case.
- Old name in the new-name line. Reverses the operative paragraph and invalidates the change.
- Unspecified middle name. Leaving the middle blank when you mean to keep it leaves agencies guessing and triggers ID rejections.
- Wrong publication start date. Listing the last publication date instead of the first voids the 3-week run.
- Failure to redact under Rule 138. Pasting a full SSN into the order draws a Rule 138 sanction.
- Pre-typed judge’s name. Looks like forgery and gets the order tossed.
- Skipping the residency finding. Strikes the legal basis for the order.
- Unchecked background-check box. Leaves no judicial finding on a required statutory element.
- No certified-copy directive. Forces you to come back to court for an amended order before SSA will accept it.
- Wrong newspaper. Using a religious or special-interest paper instead of a secular newspaper of general circulation fails the statute.
- Backdated effective date. Conflicts with the entry date and triggers SSA rejection.
Each mistake costs at least one continuance, and the busiest counties run continuances 30 to 60 days out.
Do’s and Don’ts
- Do match every caption character to the petition because clerk software compares the two strings.
- Do print the order in black ink on white 8.5×11 paper because scanners reject color and odd sizes.
- Do spell the new name three times before submitting because the order is the only document that locks the spelling.
- Do order at least 3 certified copies because SSA, Secretary of State, and your bank each keep one.
- Do keep the original signed order in a fireproof place because replacing it requires a motion and a fee.
-
Do update SSA first because every other agency cross-checks SSA before they accept the change.
-
Don’t type a full SSN or full birthdate in the order because Rule 138 prohibits it.
- Don’t sign in the judge’s signature block because the order is the judge’s, not yours.
- Don’t pay a private “name change service” $200 to fill out free state forms because Illinois Legal Aid Online does it for free.
- Don’t publish in a newspaper outside the filing county because publication must be in-county.
- Don’t rely on faxed orders because almost no Illinois circuit accepts them.
- Don’t ignore the other parent in a minor case because lack of notice is the top reason minor orders get vacated.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
- Pro of filing pro se: No attorney fee, which saves $500 to $2,500 in a routine case.
- Pro of filing pro se: Full control over spelling, capitalization, and timing.
- Pro of filing pro se: Faster turnaround in uncontested adult cases because there is no scheduling lag with counsel.
- Pro of filing pro se: Free guided interviews from Illinois Legal Aid Online walk you through every field.
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Pro of filing pro se: No third party sees your underlying reason for the change.
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Con of filing pro se: Easy to miss the publication-waiver argument when one applies.
- Con of filing pro se: Caption and case-number errors are the #1 rejection reason and require a re-file.
- Con of filing pro se: Minor cases with a non-consenting parent are hard to win without counsel.
- Con of filing pro se: Background-check findings can trip up petitioners with old felony records.
- Con of filing pro se: Sealing motions under 735 ILCS 5/21-101(e) require legal argument many filers do not feel comfortable making.
Filing by Mail vs. E-Filing in Illinois
| Filing Channel | Key Detail |
|---|---|
| Cost | E-filing is free for proposed orders; mail costs postage plus certified-mail fees |
| Required by Rule | E-filing is the default under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 9; mail is the exception |
| Processing Time | E-filing: 1 to 3 business days; mail: 2 to 4 weeks |
| Proof of Filing | E-filing: acceptance email and file-stamped PDF; mail: green card and stamped return copy |
| Best For | E-filing: most adult cases; mail: rural uncontested cases with limited internet |
| Risk | E-filing: rejection email if caption fails; mail: lost packet without tracking |
| Certified Copies | E-filing: ordered through clerk portal; mail: include separate check |
| Hearing | Both still require attendance at the hearing in most counties |
FAQs
Do I file the order before the hearing or bring it to the hearing?
Yes. E-file the proposed order through Odyssey eFileIL at least 3 business days before the hearing, and bring a printed courtesy copy to the bench.
Do I need an attorney to fill out the Order Granting Name Change?
No. Most adult Illinois name change cases are filed pro se with help from Illinois Legal Aid Online’s guided interview, which fills the order automatically.
Do I write my maiden name or married name in the prior-name line?
Yes, write whatever your current legal name is on the day the petition was filed, regardless of how you got that name. The new-name line shows the name you want going forward.
Do I have to publish notice in a newspaper before the order can be signed?
Yes, unless the judge waives publication under 735 ILCS 5/21-103 for safety, gender identity, or sealed-record reasons. Otherwise publish for 3 consecutive weeks.
Do I list my full Social Security number in Box 4 of the order?
No. Under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 138, you list only the last 4 digits and file full identifiers separately on the Notice of Confidential Information.
Do I have to list my felony convictions in the findings paragraph?
Yes, if you have qualifying convictions. Skipping them violates 735 ILCS 5/21-101, and the order can be vacated on discovery.
Does the order change my name on my Social Security card automatically?
No. You must walk a certified copy of the order to the Social Security Administration along with Form SS-5 to update the SSA record.
Do I need a certified copy for the Secretary of State?
Yes. The Illinois Secretary of State requires the original certified order, not a photocopy, before it issues a corrected driver’s license.
Do I have to attend the hearing if my proposed order is already drafted?
Yes, in almost every county. The judge will not sign an order without confirming residency and identity on the record at the hearing.
Do both parents have to sign the order in a minor case?
No. The judge signs. But the non-petitioning parent must be served with notice, and the order must recite that service for the change to stand.
Do I list the new name in the case caption?
No. The caption shows the prior legal name on the day of filing. The new name appears only in the operative FROM/TO paragraph.
Does the order seal my old name from public search?
No, unless the judge granted sealing under 735 ILCS 5/21-101(e). Without a sealing order, the case file is public record.
Do I need to refile if the judge changes one word in my proposed order?
No. Judges routinely interlineate small edits. The interlineated order is the final order as long as the judge initials the change.
Do I have to pay for certified copies if I got a fee waiver?
No. An approved Application for Waiver of Court Fees covers the first set of certified copies in most counties.
Do I have to live in Illinois for 6 months before the order can be entered?
Yes. 735 ILCS 5/21-101 requires 6 months of Illinois residency before the petition is filed, and the order recites that finding.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out Illinois Petition for Change of Name (Adult) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Illinois Petition for Change of Name (Minor) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Illinois Petition for Civil No Contact Order + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Illinois Petition for Letters of Office (Independent Admin) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Illinois Petition for Order of Protection + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Washington Order Changing Name + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Illinois Form IL-1120-ST (w/Examples) + FAQs