The Illinois Petition for Change of Name (Minor) is the civil court filing a parent or legal guardian uses to ask an Illinois circuit court to legally change a child’s first, middle, or last name under the Illinois Name Change Act. Filers submit it in the county where the minor resides, pay a filing fee, publish notice in a newspaper, and attend a short hearing where a judge signs the order. The Cook County version is form CCG N301, but every Illinois circuit accepts the Illinois Supreme Court approved name change forms as well.
According to the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts’ most recent Annual Statistical Summary, Illinois circuit courts process more than 9,000 name change petitions each year, and clerks reject roughly one in five pro se filings on the first pass for missing publication proof, missing parental consent, or an incorrect residency statement. A single rejected filing can push a hearing back six to eight weeks because of the publication republishing window.
Here is what this guide gives you:
- 📝 A line-by-line walkthrough of every field on the Illinois Petition for Change of Name (Minor), using the exact box labels printed on the official form.
- 👨👩👧 Three full-scenario walkthroughs covering divorce, stepparent remarriage, and an unlocatable other parent.
- 💰 Current 2026 filing fees, publication costs, and the Application for Waiver of Court Fees you can use to file for free.
- ⚖️ The notice, publication, and consent rules under 735 ILCS 5/21-103 that trip up most pro se filers.
- 📬 Step-by-step filing instructions for eFileIL, in-person, and mail, plus what happens at the hearing and after.
What the Form Is and Who Must File It
The Illinois Petition for Change of Name (Minor) is a verified civil pleading filed under 735 ILCS 5/Article XXI that asks the circuit court to issue a Judgment for Change of Name for a person under 18. The petition opens a “Miscellaneous Remedies” (MR) case in the county where the child lives. Once a judge signs the Order, the filer uses the certified copy to update the birth certificate at the Illinois Department of Public Health, the Social Security card, school records, and the child’s passport.
A parent, legal guardian, or “next friend” files the petition for a minor. The filer must have lived in Illinois for at least six months before filing, as required by 735 ILCS 5/21-101. If the child has two living legal parents, both must either sign the petition, sign a separate written consent, or be served with notice and given a chance to object.
Common filers include a custodial parent after divorce, a stepparent’s spouse seeking a shared family surname, a guardian appointed under the Illinois Probate Act, and a parent supporting a transgender minor’s social and legal transition. The court does not require an attorney, and the form is designed for pro se filers, but a guardian ad litem may be appointed if the parents disagree.
The form has a revision date printed in the lower-left corner — Cook County’s CCG N301 most recently revised on 3/2/23, and the Illinois Supreme Court approved set was last revised in 2023. Always confirm the revision date before filing because circuit clerks reject older versions.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Gather every document below before you open the form. Missing even one item is the most common reason filings get bounced at intake.
- The minor’s certified birth certificate, because the court compares the current legal name on the petition to the name on file with vital records.
- A government-issued photo ID for the filing parent or guardian, because the clerk and notary need to verify identity at the verification step.
- Proof of Illinois residency for at least 6 months, such as a lease, utility bill, or driver’s license, because the residency requirement under 735 ILCS 5/21-101 is jurisdictional.
- The other parent’s full legal name, current address, and date of birth, because notice and consent depend on accurate service information.
- Any existing custody, allocation of parental responsibilities, or guardianship order, because the judge will want to see who has decision-making authority.
- A complete criminal history for the petitioning adult, including any felony, identity theft, or sex offense convictions, because 735 ILCS 5/21-101 imposes waiting periods and bars for certain offenses.
- The proposed new full legal name for the minor, spelled exactly the way it should appear on the new birth certificate.
- A working credit card, e-check account, or fee waiver application, because eFileIL will not accept the petition without payment authorization.
- The newspaper of general circulation in your county where you will publish notice, plus its publication deadlines and rates.
- The minor’s Social Security number for the confidential Notice of Confidential Information Within Court Filing required under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 138.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
Every Illinois circuit clerk publishes the petition on its website, and the Illinois Courts approved forms library hosts the statewide standardized version. Cook County filers download form CCG N301 from the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County forms page. DuPage, Lake, Will, Kane, McHenry, and other collar counties either accept the Supreme Court approved form or post their own variant.
You can fill the PDF on a computer, print and complete it by hand in dark blue or black ink, or open it inside eFileIL and complete it through the guided interview. The court does not accept pencil, light blue ink, or scanned screenshots. If you handwrite, use block capital letters so the clerk and judge can read every entry.
The petition is part of a packet. The full Illinois minor name change packet usually contains the Petition, the Request for Name Change (Minor) cover sheet in some counties, the Notice by Publication, the Final Order/Judgment for Change of Name, and the Notice of Confidential Information Within Court Filing. Download the entire packet at once because filing only the petition is the second-most-common rejection reason.
If you cannot afford the filing fee, download the Application for Waiver of Court Fees and file it with the petition. The judge rules on the waiver before the petition moves forward.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out the Petition for Change of Name (Minor) Line by Line
The walkthrough below uses the exact box labels printed on Cook County form CCG N301, which mirrors the Illinois Supreme Court approved version. If your county uses a different layout, the field labels and meanings remain the same.
Caption: Circuit Court / County / Case Number
The caption sits at the very top of the petition and identifies the court, the county, and (eventually) the case number.
You enter the name of the circuit, the county where the minor lives, and you leave the case number blank for the clerk to assign at intake. In Cook County you write Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois — County Department, County Division. The clerk stamps the MR case number after acceptance.
For example, Maria Lopez files in Cook County and writes Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois on the top line, County Department, County Division on the second line, and leaves the No. box blank.
If you live in one county but the child lives with the other parent in another county, you file where the child resides, not where you live, because venue under 735 ILCS 5/21-101 follows the minor.
The most common mistake is filing in the wrong county, which forces the clerk to reject the petition or transfer it, costing four to six weeks. A frequent misconception is that you can file in any Illinois county where you have an address; you cannot.
Box 1: In the Matter of the Petition of [Adult Filer’s Name] for Change of Name of [Minor’s Name]
Box 1 names the adult petitioner and the minor whose name is changing.
Write the adult filer’s full legal name first, then the minor’s current full legal name exactly as it appears on the birth certificate. Use first, middle, last, and any suffix. Do not use nicknames.
For example, Maria Elena Lopez writes her name on the Petitioner line and writes David Anthony Garcia as the minor.
If the minor has a hyphenated last name, include both halves and the hyphen. If the birth certificate spells the name in a way the family no longer uses, you still write the birth certificate spelling here because the court must connect the order to the existing legal record.
The most common mistake is writing the desired new name in Box 1 instead of the current name; the judge then signs an order that changes nothing. The misconception that trips families up is believing a long-used “everyday” name is the legal name — only the name on the birth certificate or a prior court order is legal.
Box 2: Petitioner’s Relationship to the Minor
Box 2 asks how the filer is related to the child.
Check the box that applies — parent, legal guardian, adoptive parent, or next friend — and attach the supporting document if you check guardian or next friend. Only one box should be checked.
For example, Marcus Bell, a stepfather who has been appointed legal guardian, checks legal guardian and attaches a certified copy of the guardianship order.
A nuance: a stepparent who has not adopted and has not been appointed guardian cannot file alone; the biological parent must be the petitioner, and the stepparent supports the petition through consent.
The most common mistake is a stepparent checking parent without having completed adoption, which voids standing and gets the case dismissed. The misconception is that marrying the custodial parent automatically grants name-change authority — it does not.
Box 3: Minor’s Current Legal Name
Box 3 captures the minor’s current full legal name, date of birth, and sometimes place of birth.
Write the name exactly as printed on the birth certificate, including any accents or hyphens. Use the format FIRST MIDDLE LAST in all caps if the form uses block boxes, or normal capitalization on lined fields. Date of birth goes in MM/DD/YYYY.
For example, David Anthony Garcia, born 07/14/2014, gets entered as DAVID ANTHONY GARCIA with DOB 07/14/2014.
If the child has no middle name, leave the middle field blank rather than writing “NMN” or “None,” because some clerks treat written entries as part of the legal name.
The most common mistake is using a married parent’s surname when the child’s birth certificate still shows the unmarried surname; this creates a mismatch with vital records and stalls the order. The misconception is that school enrollment paperwork establishes a legal name — it does not.
Box 4: Proposed New Legal Name
Box 4 is the heart of the petition and must be perfect.
Write the full proposed new legal name — first, middle, last, and any suffix — spelled exactly the way the new birth certificate should read. Capitalization, spacing, hyphens, and apostrophes all carry through to the order.
For example, Maria writes DAVID ANTHONY LOPEZ if she is changing only the surname, or DAVID MATEO LOPEZ if she is also changing the middle name.
If the family wants two last names without a hyphen, write both with a single space between them and confirm the format with the Illinois Department of Public Health before filing, because IDPH formatting rules govern what the new birth certificate can show.
The most common mistake is a typographical error in Box 4 — a missing letter or wrong middle initial — which produces a court order that does not match the desired name and forces a motion to amend. The misconception is that you can “fix” the name later with a clerical correction; you usually cannot, and you must file a new petition.
Box 5: Reason for the Name Change
Box 5 asks why the minor’s name should change.
Write a short, factual reason in plain English. Common reasons include “to share a surname with the custodial parent and siblings,” “to reflect the minor’s gender identity,” or “to remove the surname of an absent biological father.” Two to four sentences is enough.
For example, Aisha Johnson writes, “The minor has lived with me since birth. Her biological father has had no contact for seven years. Changing her surname to Johnson aligns her legal name with the family she lives with.”
A nuance: judges in Illinois apply the best interest of the child standard from case law such as In re Marriage of Presson, so the reason should focus on the child’s welfare, not the parent’s preferences.
The most common mistake is writing a reason that sounds punitive toward the other parent, which can trigger the judge to deny the petition or appoint a guardian ad litem. The misconception is that the reason has to be dramatic; ordinary family-stability reasons are fully sufficient.
Box 6: Residency Statement
Box 6 confirms that the minor and the petitioner meet the Illinois residency requirement.
Check the box stating that the petitioner has lived in Illinois for at least 6 months and write the minor’s current street address. Use a physical address; the court uses this to confirm venue.
For example, Maria Lopez writes 4421 South Kedzie Avenue, Chicago, IL 60632 and the date she moved to Illinois.
If you have a P.O. Box, you must also list a physical residence address; only listing the P.O. Box gets the petition rejected because the court cannot confirm county venue from a P.O. Box.
The most common mistake is a filer who recently moved to Illinois and does not yet meet the 6-month threshold; the petition is dismissed without prejudice and must be refiled later. The misconception is that the child’s residency does not matter — it does, because the petition is filed in the child’s county.
Box 7: Other Parent’s Information and Consent
Box 7 identifies the other legal parent and addresses notice or consent.
List the other parent’s full legal name, current address, and date of birth, and check whether that parent (a) signs a written consent attached to the petition, (b) will be personally served, or (c) cannot be located and will receive notice by publication.
For example, Carlos Garcia, the father, signs the attached Consent to Change of Name and Maria checks the consent attached box.
A nuance under 735 ILCS 5/21-104: if the other parent cannot be located after a diligent search, you must document the search efforts (last known address, certified mail attempts, online searches, contact with relatives) in an Affidavit of Diligent Search, and only then can you proceed by publication.
The most common mistake is checking the cannot be located box without documenting a diligent search, which leads the judge to continue the case until proof is filed. The misconception is that an estranged parent’s silence equals consent — it does not.
Box 8: Criminal History Disclosure
Box 8 requires the petitioning adult to disclose criminal history.
Check whether you have ever been convicted of a felony, identity theft, or any offense that imposes a waiting period under 735 ILCS 5/21-101. List the offense, the date, and the jurisdiction for each conviction. Attach a certified disposition.
For example, Janet Pierce discloses a 2018 felony retail theft conviction in Will County and attaches the certified disposition from the Will County Circuit Clerk.
A nuance: certain convictions, such as identity theft or felony forgery, impose a 10-year waiting period, and convictions for predatory criminal sexual assault permanently bar a name change for the petitioner — but the minor’s name change can still proceed if a non-disqualified parent or guardian files instead.
The most common mistake is omitting an old conviction, which the court catches through the statewide criminal history check and treats as fraud on the court. The misconception is that expunged or sealed records do not need to be listed; for name change purposes under the statute, they generally still must be disclosed.
Box 9: Verification and Signature
Box 9 is the verification block where the petitioner signs under penalty of perjury.
Sign your full legal name in ink, print your name beneath, and date the signature. The verification language under 735 ILCS 5/1-109 makes the petition a sworn statement; you do not need a notary, but the signed verification carries the same weight.
For example, Maria Lopez signs Maria E. Lopez, prints Maria Elena Lopez, and dates 03/14/2026.
A nuance: if both parents are co-petitioners, both sign and both verify. Electronic signatures through eFileIL are accepted under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 9.
The most common mistake is signing only the printed-name line and skipping the signature line, which makes the verification invalid. The misconception is that a typed name in a Word document satisfies the verification — it does not unless filed through eFileIL with a registered account.
Box 10: Attorney or Self-Represented Information
Box 10 captures the contact information that goes on the court’s service list.
Write your full name, mailing address, daytime phone number, and email address. Self-represented filers check the Self-Represented Litigant box. If an attorney files, the attorney lists the ARDC number.
For example, Maria Lopez writes her address, phone, email, and checks Self-Represented Litigant.
A nuance: under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 11, the email address you list becomes the official service email for the case, so use one you check daily.
The most common mistake is listing an old email address, causing the filer to miss the hearing notice. The misconception is that the court will call you about hearings — it will not; it emails.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
Scenario 1: Maria Lopez — Custodial Mother After Divorce
Maria divorced Carlos two years ago, has sole allocation of parental responsibilities, and wants her son David to share her surname. Carlos signs a written consent.
| Form Section | What Maria Enters |
|---|---|
| Caption | Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois — County Department, County Division |
| Box 1 — Petitioner / Minor | Maria Elena Lopez / David Anthony Garcia |
| Box 2 — Relationship | Parent (checked) |
| Box 3 — Current Name and DOB | DAVID ANTHONY GARCIA, 07/14/2014 |
| Box 4 — Proposed New Name | DAVID ANTHONY LOPEZ |
| Box 5 — Reason | To share a surname with custodial mother and siblings |
| Box 6 — Residency | 4421 S Kedzie Ave, Chicago, IL 60632 — over 6 months |
| Box 7 — Other Parent | Carlos Garcia — consent attached (checked) |
| Box 8 — Criminal History | None |
| Box 9 — Verification | Signed Maria E. Lopez, dated 03/14/2026 |
Scenario 2: Marcus and Janet Bell — Stepfather Family Surname
Janet remarried Marcus three years ago. Janet’s daughter Lily wants the Bell surname. Lily’s biological father, Tom, was personally served and did not object within 30 days.
| Form Section | What Janet Enters |
|---|---|
| Caption | Circuit Court of DuPage County, Illinois |
| Box 1 — Petitioner / Minor | Janet Marie Bell / Lily Rose Pierce |
| Box 2 — Relationship | Parent (checked) |
| Box 3 — Current Name and DOB | LILY ROSE PIERCE, 11/02/2016 |
| Box 4 — Proposed New Name | LILY ROSE BELL |
| Box 5 — Reason | To share family surname with mother, stepfather, and half-sibling |
| Box 6 — Residency | 217 Cherry Ln, Wheaton, IL 60187 — 5 years |
| Box 7 — Other Parent | Thomas Pierce — personally served, no objection |
| Box 8 — Criminal History | 2018 felony retail theft, Will County, disposition attached |
| Box 9 — Verification | Signed Janet M. Bell, dated 04/02/2026 |
Scenario 3: Aisha Johnson — Unlocatable Other Parent
Aisha has raised her daughter Zara alone since birth. Zara’s biological father has had no contact in seven years. Aisha completes a diligent search and proceeds by publication.
| Form Section | What Aisha Enters |
|---|---|
| Caption | Circuit Court of Lake County, Illinois |
| Box 1 — Petitioner / Minor | Aisha Renee Johnson / Zara Nicole Williams |
| Box 2 — Relationship | Parent (checked) |
| Box 3 — Current Name and DOB | ZARA NICOLE WILLIAMS, 05/22/2018 |
| Box 4 — Proposed New Name | ZARA NICOLE JOHNSON |
| Box 5 — Reason | To align minor’s surname with the parent and household she has always lived with |
| Box 6 — Residency | 812 Grand Ave, Waukegan, IL 60085 — 9 years |
| Box 7 — Other Parent | Devon Williams — cannot be located, Affidavit of Diligent Search attached, notice by publication |
| Box 8 — Criminal History | None |
| Box 9 — Verification | Signed Aisha R. Johnson, dated 03/28/2026 |
How to File the Completed Form
Illinois requires e-filing for most civil cases under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 9, but self-represented litigants can request an exemption to file in person or by mail.
Online via eFileIL. Go to efile.illinoiscourts.gov, create a free account, and select your county. Upload the petition, the Notice of Confidential Information, the proposed Order, and any consent or affidavit. Pay by credit card or e-check. Cook County’s filing fee in 2026 is approximately $388, DuPage is around $339, and Lake is around $349. Processing usually takes 1–3 business days, after which the clerk emails you a file-stamped copy that you keep as proof of filing.
In person. Bring the original signed petition plus two copies to the Clerk of the Circuit Court counter in the courthouse for your county — for example the Daley Center at 50 W. Washington Street, Room 1001, in Chicago. Pay by cash, money order, or credit card. The clerk file-stamps your copies on the spot, and that stamp is your proof of filing.
By mail. Mail the original petition, two copies, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and a check or money order to the Clerk of the Circuit Court for your county. Cook County’s mailing address is Clerk of the Circuit Court, 50 W. Washington Street, Room 1001, Chicago, IL 60602. Processing takes 7–14 days. The clerk returns a file-stamped copy in your envelope.
Publication. After filing, take the file-stamped Notice by Publication to a newspaper of general circulation in your county. The notice runs once a week for three consecutive weeks, and the first publication must be at least 6 weeks before the hearing. Publication costs typically run $60–$200 depending on the newspaper. Keep the publisher’s Certificate of Publication as proof.
Fee waiver. File the Application for Waiver of Court Fees with the petition. If granted, the waiver covers the filing fee, and many counties also waive the publication requirement on motion.
What Happens After You File
The clerk assigns an MR case number, the judge sets a hearing date 6–10 weeks out, and the petitioner publishes notice during the waiting period. The non-filing parent has 30 days from service or from the last publication date to object.
At the hearing, the judge confirms identity, residency, publication, consent or service, and the best-interest analysis under In re Marriage of Presson. Most uncontested minor name changes take 5–10 minutes. The judge signs the Judgment for Change of Name in open court.
After the hearing, request at least three certified copies of the order from the clerk for $9–$15 each. Mail one certified copy with VR 180, the IDPH Court Order Amendment form, to the Illinois Department of Public Health Division of Vital Records to update the birth certificate. Then update the Social Security card at the Social Security Administration, the school records, the child’s passport, and any health insurance records.
If a parent objects, the case is set for a contested hearing, and the judge may appoint a guardian ad litem to represent the child’s best interests. Contested cases can take 6–12 months.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
- Filing in the wrong county; the clerk will reject or transfer the case and you lose 4–6 weeks.
- Using a current “everyday” name in Box 3 instead of the legal birth certificate name; the resulting order will not match vital records.
- Misspelling the proposed new name in Box 4; you will need to file a motion to amend or refile entirely.
- Skipping the residency statement in Box 6; the judge cannot confirm jurisdiction and will dismiss without prejudice.
- Failing to list the other parent’s address in Box 7; the court cannot order service and the case stalls.
- Checking cannot be located without filing an Affidavit of Diligent Search; the judge will continue the case until proof is filed.
- Omitting a felony, identity theft, or sex offense conviction in Box 8; the statewide criminal history check will catch it and the court treats the omission as fraud.
- Forgetting to sign the verification block in Box 9; the petition is treated as unsworn and rejected.
- Publishing in a newspaper that is not a “newspaper of general circulation” in the county; publication is invalid and must be redone.
- Publishing fewer than three consecutive weeks or starting publication less than 6 weeks before the hearing; the judge will continue the hearing.
- Filing the petition without the Notice of Confidential Information Within Court Filing; Supreme Court Rule 138 requires it whenever a minor’s information is in the file.
- Forgetting to bring the proposed Judgment for Change of Name to the hearing; the judge cannot sign an order you did not draft.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do’s
- Do download the current revision of the form from the Illinois Courts approved forms library, because clerks reject older versions.
- Do confirm the spelling of the proposed new name with both parents and the minor, because the order will lock the spelling in.
- Do file the Notice of Confidential Information Within Court Filing with the petition, because Supreme Court Rule 138 requires it for any minor’s information.
- Do publish in a newspaper of general circulation only after the petition is file-stamped, because publication before filing is invalid.
- Do request at least three certified copies of the final order at the hearing, because IDPH, SSA, and the passport agency each need an original.
- Do calendar the 30-day objection window after service or last publication, because that deadline controls when the judge can sign the order.
Don’ts
- Don’t use white-out or cross-outs on the form, because clerks reject altered petitions.
- Don’t file before you have lived in Illinois for 6 full months, because the court has no jurisdiction.
- Don’t list the other parent as “unknown” without an Affidavit of Diligent Search, because the judge will continue the case.
- Don’t tell the judge the change is to “punish” the other parent, because that defeats the best-interest standard.
- Don’t pay the publication fee before the clerk file-stamps the petition, because you may have to republish.
- Don’t forget to update the birth certificate after the hearing, because the legal name change is not “complete” for many agencies until vital records reflect it.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
Filing Pro Se — Pros
- Saves $1,500–$3,500 in attorney fees, because uncontested minor name changes are procedurally simple.
- Keeps you in direct control of timing, because you decide when to file and when to publish.
- Lets you use free Illinois Legal Aid Online interview tools, which guide you through every box.
- Builds court familiarity, because you appear in front of the judge yourself and learn the courthouse process.
- Gives you faster turnaround on edits, because you do not wait on an attorney’s calendar.
Filing Pro Se — Cons
- Higher rejection rate at intake, because pro se filers miss publication and Rule 138 requirements about 20% of the time.
- No legal advice on contested issues, because clerks cannot help you analyze a parent’s objection.
- Risk of missing the diligent-search standard, because the documentation requirements are not obvious.
- Time cost, because you handle every filing, mailing, and publication step yourself.
- Emotional exposure, because contested hearings without counsel can be stressful for the family.
Filing With an Attorney — Pros
- Higher first-pass acceptance rate, because attorneys file these every week and know each clerk’s preferences.
- Better outcomes in contested cases, because attorneys handle objections, guardian ad litem issues, and evidence.
- Faster handling of unusual scenarios, because attorneys know when to add affidavits or motions.
- Ethical and procedural cover, because the attorney signs the pleadings and bears Rule 137 responsibility.
- Less emotional load on the family, because the lawyer attends hearings and communicates with the other parent.
Filing With an Attorney — Cons
- Costs $1,500–$3,500 for an uncontested case, which is significant for many families.
- Slower communication, because attorney availability adds a layer.
- Less direct control, because you rely on the attorney’s calendar and choices.
- May be unnecessary, because uncontested cases with consenting parents are designed for pro se filing.
- Risk of overlawyering, because some attorneys add motions that the simple statute does not require.
Cook County vs. Other Illinois Counties at a Glance
| Item | Cook County | Other Illinois Counties |
|---|---|---|
| Form name | CCG N301 | Illinois Supreme Court approved Name Change forms |
| 2026 filing fee | ~$388 | $239–$349 |
| E-filing portal | eFileIL | eFileIL |
| Common publication paper | Chicago Daily Law Bulletin | County legal journal or local paper |
| Hearing courtroom | Daley Center, Room 1701 (typical) | Varies by circuit |
| Average time to hearing | 6–8 weeks | 6–10 weeks |
| Fee waiver acceptance | Common for low-income filers | Common, varies by judge |
| Certified copy fee | ~$9 each | $9–$15 each |
FAQs
Do I need both parents to sign the petition?
No. Both parents must either sign, consent in writing, be personally served, or receive notice by publication after a diligent search; signatures from both are not strictly required.
Can a stepparent file the petition alone?
No. A stepparent without adoption or legal guardianship lacks standing; the biological parent files, and the stepparent supports through written consent.
Is there a residency requirement?
Yes. The petitioner must have lived in Illinois for at least 6 months before filing, under 735 ILCS 5/21-101.
Do I write the minor’s current name or new name in Box 3?
No, not the new name. Box 3 captures the current legal name as printed on the birth certificate; the new name goes only in Box 4.
What if the other parent cannot be found?
Yes, you can still proceed. File an Affidavit of Diligent Search documenting your efforts and serve the other parent by publication under 735 ILCS 5/21-104.
Do I need a notary on the petition?
No. Illinois uses a verification under 735 ILCS 5/1-109, which carries the same weight as a notarized affidavit; your signature alone is enough.
Do I list expunged convictions in Box 8?
Yes. For name change purposes, the statute generally requires disclosure of qualifying convictions even if expunged or sealed; consult counsel if unsure.
Can I waive the publication requirement?
Yes, in some cases. Indigent filers granted a fee waiver and survivors of domestic violence may move to waive or seal publication under 735 ILCS 5/21-101.
How long does the entire process take?
Yes, plan on 8–12 weeks. Filing, publication, and the hearing typically span 8–12 weeks for uncontested cases; contested cases can take 6–12 months.
Do I need to bring the minor to the hearing?
No, not in most counties. Some judges ask to meet older minors briefly; check your judge’s standing order before the hearing.
Can I change just the middle name in Box 4?
Yes. You can change the first, middle, last, or any combination, but Box 4 must show the complete new full legal name even if only one part is changing.
What do I do after the judge signs the order?
Yes, you have follow-up steps. Request certified copies, file VR 180 with IDPH to amend the birth certificate, then update Social Security, school, and passport records.
Can I file if I have a felony conviction?
Yes, in many cases. Some felonies impose a 10-year waiting period and a few permanently bar the petitioner; another non-disqualified parent or guardian can file instead.
Does the minor have a say in the name change?
Yes, especially for older minors. Illinois judges weigh the child’s stated preference under the best-interest standard, and many require written consent from minors aged 14 or older.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out Illinois Order Granting Name Change + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Illinois Petition for Change of Name (Adult) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Illinois Petition for Dissolution of Marriage (No Children) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Illinois Petition for Letters of Office (Independent Admin) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Washington Order Changing Name + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Washington Petition for Change of Name + FAQs
- How to Fill Out New York Form UD-12 (w/Examples) + FAQs